Paul S.Drizner
Partner
Corporate
pdrizner@seyfarth.com
"I help clients understand and navigate the complex and often changing tax laws to address their current tax problems—and perhaps more importantly, avoid future tax issues."
More About Paul
Clients require clear, concise, and practical advice on how to deal with complex tax issues. Paul has spent more than 30 years counseling clients on those issues.
Paul's practice is primarily focused on structuring transactions and investments in a tax-efficient manner, but he also assists clients in a wide range of tax matters, including the taxation of employee fringe benefits and other compensation, employment tax compliance, the taxation of employment and other litigation settlements, and state income, employment, and sales tax matters.
Clients seek Paul's advice when they need help structuring the acquisition or disposition of a business or investment, or structuring a joint venture. These frequently involve the use of limited liability companies or partnerships in a way that is both tax-advantageous and that accurately achieves the desired economics of the deal. Paul is often faced with situations that require him to be creative in structuring transactions to avoid unwanted tax consequences and accomplish the client's economic goals.
Paul scales his service to meet clients' specific needs. For example, some situations only require him to educate the client on technical aspects of tax law and to provide practical advice, while others require him to be creative and assess various options to accomplish the client's goals. Regardless of the situation, Paul is able to explain the tax law and the clients' options and obligations in plain English, and in a way that does not overwhelm the client with technical tax language.
Having worked at Seyfarth for more than 25 years, Paul has depth of knowledge regarding the taxation of limited liability companies and partnerships, the tax treatment of employment-related settlements, the taxation of employee fringe benefits and other compensation, and employment tax compliance matters. He regularly advises clients concerning the tax consequences and tax compliance issues in connection with various types of employment litigation settlements, ranging from simple single-plaintiff cases to complex class actions involving the use of qualified settlements funds.
Practicing tax law in a firm with varied practice groups and offices in multiple cities allows him to engage with different types of clients, from startups to Fortune 100 companies, regarding a wide range of topics, which keeps his practice fresh and—despite what many might think of tax law—exciting.
Paul serves as Co-chair of Seyfarth’s Audit Response Committee.
"Tax law is complex, and it is imperative that I make it understandable to the client. If I don't, I am not doing my job."
Clients seek Paul's advice when they need help structuring the acquisition or disposition of a business or investment, or structuring a joint venture. These frequently involve the use of limited liability companies or partnerships in a way that is both tax-advantageous and that accurately achieves the desired economics of the deal. Paul is often faced with situations that require him to be creative in structuring transactions to avoid unwanted tax consequences and accomplish the client's economic goals.
Paul scales his service to meet clients' specific needs. For example, some situations only require him to educate the client on technical aspects of tax law and to provide practical advice, while others require him to be creative and assess various options to accomplish the client's goals. Regardless of the situation, Paul is able to explain the tax law and the clients' options and obligations in plain English, and in a way that does not overwhelm the client with technical tax language.
Having worked at Seyfarth for more than 25 years, Paul has depth of knowledge regarding the taxation of limited liability companies and partnerships, the tax treatment of employment-related settlements, the taxation of employee fringe benefits and other compensation, and employment tax compliance matters. He regularly advises clients concerning the tax consequences and tax compliance issues in connection with various types of employment litigation settlements, ranging from simple single-plaintiff cases to complex class actions involving the use of qualified settlements funds.
Practicing tax law in a firm with varied practice groups and offices in multiple cities allows him to engage with different types of clients, from startups to Fortune 100 companies, regarding a wide range of topics, which keeps his practice fresh and—despite what many might think of tax law—exciting.
Paul serves as Co-chair of Seyfarth’s Audit Response Committee.
"Tax law is complex, and it is imperative that I make it understandable to the client. If I don't, I am not doing my job."
- JD, Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Loyola Law Journal, editor
- BA, University of Illinois
- Illinois
Related Services
Related Key Industries
- Advised real estate developers and investors in structuring joint ventures to acquire and develop real estate projects.
- Represented a client in the creation and operation of a $100 million-plus real estate investment fund.
- Advised a client with operations in multiple states concerning its state tax withholding and payment obligations regarding its employees who worked in multiple states.
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Paid Leave and Coronavirus—Part 23: Congress Expands Tax Credits for Voluntary Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) Leave and Vaccine-Related Absences
- American Bar Association
- Chicago Bar Association
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus—Part 23: Congress Expands Tax Credits for Voluntary Families First Coronavirus Response Act ('FFCRA') Leave and Vaccine-Related Absences," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 16, 2021)
- Co-Author, "The Internal Revenue Service Extends the Payment Period for Certain Deferred Employee Payroll Taxes in Accordance with Recently Enacted Legislation," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 21, 2021)
- Contributor, Illinois Corporate Practice and Forms: The Seyfarth Shaw Manual (2017–2020)
- Co-Author, "Questions Remain After Treasury Guidance Implementing President Trump’s Payroll Tax Deferral," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 31, 2020)
- Co-Author, "President Trump Signs Four Executive Orders Providing or Extending Coronavirus Relief," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 10, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Too Much Time on My Hands: Helping Employees Through COVID-19 Pandemic with PTO Donation," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 13, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus — Part VIII: Families First Act Debrief Following Senate Passage of Economic Relief Bill," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 26, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Families First Coronavirus Response Act Approved by Senate," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus — Part III: UPDATE - House Passes 'Technical Corrections' to COVID-19 Relief Bill with Paid Sick and Family Leave Mandates," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 17, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus — Part II: House Passes COVID-19 Relief Bill with Paid Sick and Family Leave Mandates," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 16, 2020)
- Author, "Recent Legislation Changes Illinois Non-Resident Employee Withholding Rules," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 18, 2019)
- Author, "New Illinois Law Eliminates Franchise Tax, Offers Tax Amnesty," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 26, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Sexual Harassment Legal Settlements: What Employers Need to Know About the New Tax Act," Retail Detail, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 19, 2018)
- Co-Author, “The New Partnership Audit Rules: What Tax-Exempt Partners Should Know”, PREA Quarterly, Fall 2017 Edition (2017)
- Co-Author, "Tax Reform Impact on Employers and Employees," Tax Reform Management Alert Series, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 21, 2017)
- “The Passive Loss Rules: Application to an S Corporation and its Shareholders,” chapter from Limited Liability Companies and S Corporations Practice Handbook, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2005, 2008)
- “A Case Study: Who is the “Employer” - Franchisor or Franchisee?”, Franchising World, (May/June 1996)
- “Electing Subchapter S Status,” chapter from S Corporations Practice Handbook, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (1992)
- “Medicaid’s Unhealthy Side Effect: The Financial Burdens of At-Home Spouses of Institutionalized Recipients,” 18 Loyola University of Chicago Law Journal 1037 (1987)
- Speaker, Take It or Leave It Podcast, Episode 4: Leaves, Accommodations and Important Tax Considerations for Remote Workforces, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 1, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Families First Coronavirus Response Act Debrief," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 25, 2020)
"I help clients understand and navigate the complex and often changing tax laws to address their current tax problems—and perhaps more importantly, avoid future tax issues."
More About Paul
Clients require clear, concise, and practical advice on how to deal with complex tax issues. Paul has spent more than 30 years counseling clients on those issues.
Paul's practice is primarily focused on structuring transactions and investments in a tax-efficient manner, but he also assists clients in a wide range of tax matters, including the taxation of employee fringe benefits and other compensation, employment tax compliance, the taxation of employment and other litigation settlements, and state income, employment, and sales tax matters.
Clients seek Paul's advice when they need help structuring the acquisition or disposition of a business or investment, or structuring a joint venture. These frequently involve the use of limited liability companies or partnerships in a way that is both tax-advantageous and that accurately achieves the desired economics of the deal. Paul is often faced with situations that require him to be creative in structuring transactions to avoid unwanted tax consequences and accomplish the client's economic goals.
Paul scales his service to meet clients' specific needs. For example, some situations only require him to educate the client on technical aspects of tax law and to provide practical advice, while others require him to be creative and assess various options to accomplish the client's goals. Regardless of the situation, Paul is able to explain the tax law and the clients' options and obligations in plain English, and in a way that does not overwhelm the client with technical tax language.
Having worked at Seyfarth for more than 25 years, Paul has depth of knowledge regarding the taxation of limited liability companies and partnerships, the tax treatment of employment-related settlements, the taxation of employee fringe benefits and other compensation, and employment tax compliance matters. He regularly advises clients concerning the tax consequences and tax compliance issues in connection with various types of employment litigation settlements, ranging from simple single-plaintiff cases to complex class actions involving the use of qualified settlements funds.
Practicing tax law in a firm with varied practice groups and offices in multiple cities allows him to engage with different types of clients, from startups to Fortune 100 companies, regarding a wide range of topics, which keeps his practice fresh and—despite what many might think of tax law—exciting.
Paul serves as Co-chair of Seyfarth’s Audit Response Committee.
"Tax law is complex, and it is imperative that I make it understandable to the client. If I don't, I am not doing my job."
Clients seek Paul's advice when they need help structuring the acquisition or disposition of a business or investment, or structuring a joint venture. These frequently involve the use of limited liability companies or partnerships in a way that is both tax-advantageous and that accurately achieves the desired economics of the deal. Paul is often faced with situations that require him to be creative in structuring transactions to avoid unwanted tax consequences and accomplish the client's economic goals.
Paul scales his service to meet clients' specific needs. For example, some situations only require him to educate the client on technical aspects of tax law and to provide practical advice, while others require him to be creative and assess various options to accomplish the client's goals. Regardless of the situation, Paul is able to explain the tax law and the clients' options and obligations in plain English, and in a way that does not overwhelm the client with technical tax language.
Having worked at Seyfarth for more than 25 years, Paul has depth of knowledge regarding the taxation of limited liability companies and partnerships, the tax treatment of employment-related settlements, the taxation of employee fringe benefits and other compensation, and employment tax compliance matters. He regularly advises clients concerning the tax consequences and tax compliance issues in connection with various types of employment litigation settlements, ranging from simple single-plaintiff cases to complex class actions involving the use of qualified settlements funds.
Practicing tax law in a firm with varied practice groups and offices in multiple cities allows him to engage with different types of clients, from startups to Fortune 100 companies, regarding a wide range of topics, which keeps his practice fresh and—despite what many might think of tax law—exciting.
Paul serves as Co-chair of Seyfarth’s Audit Response Committee.
"Tax law is complex, and it is imperative that I make it understandable to the client. If I don't, I am not doing my job."
- JD, Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Loyola Law Journal, editor
- BA, University of Illinois
- Illinois
Related Services
Related Key Industries
- Advised real estate developers and investors in structuring joint ventures to acquire and develop real estate projects.
- Represented a client in the creation and operation of a $100 million-plus real estate investment fund.
- Advised a client with operations in multiple states concerning its state tax withholding and payment obligations regarding its employees who worked in multiple states.
Related News & Insights
-
Podcast
Feb 1, 2022
Take It or Leave It Podcast - Episode 4: Leaves, Accommodations and Important Tax Considerations for Remote Workforces
-
Firm News
Jul 26, 2021
Seyfarth Represents Dwyer Instruments in its Sale to Arcline Investment Management
-
Firm News
Jul 2, 2021
Seyfarth Represents Guardian Capital in $200 Million Sale of CIS Global to nVent Electric
-
Legal Update
Mar 16, 2021
Paid Leave and Coronavirus—Part 23: Congress Expands Tax Credits for Voluntary Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) Leave and Vaccine-Related Absences
- American Bar Association
- Chicago Bar Association
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus—Part 23: Congress Expands Tax Credits for Voluntary Families First Coronavirus Response Act ('FFCRA') Leave and Vaccine-Related Absences," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 16, 2021)
- Co-Author, "The Internal Revenue Service Extends the Payment Period for Certain Deferred Employee Payroll Taxes in Accordance with Recently Enacted Legislation," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 21, 2021)
- Contributor, Illinois Corporate Practice and Forms: The Seyfarth Shaw Manual (2017–2020)
- Co-Author, "Questions Remain After Treasury Guidance Implementing President Trump’s Payroll Tax Deferral," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 31, 2020)
- Co-Author, "President Trump Signs Four Executive Orders Providing or Extending Coronavirus Relief," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (August 10, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Too Much Time on My Hands: Helping Employees Through COVID-19 Pandemic with PTO Donation," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 13, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus — Part VIII: Families First Act Debrief Following Senate Passage of Economic Relief Bill," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 26, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Families First Coronavirus Response Act Approved by Senate," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 18, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus — Part III: UPDATE - House Passes 'Technical Corrections' to COVID-19 Relief Bill with Paid Sick and Family Leave Mandates," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 17, 2020)
- Co-Author, "Paid Leave and Coronavirus — Part II: House Passes COVID-19 Relief Bill with Paid Sick and Family Leave Mandates," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 16, 2020)
- Author, "Recent Legislation Changes Illinois Non-Resident Employee Withholding Rules," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 18, 2019)
- Author, "New Illinois Law Eliminates Franchise Tax, Offers Tax Amnesty," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (July 26, 2019)
- Co-Author, "Sexual Harassment Legal Settlements: What Employers Need to Know About the New Tax Act," Retail Detail, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 19, 2018)
- Co-Author, “The New Partnership Audit Rules: What Tax-Exempt Partners Should Know”, PREA Quarterly, Fall 2017 Edition (2017)
- Co-Author, "Tax Reform Impact on Employers and Employees," Tax Reform Management Alert Series, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 21, 2017)
- “The Passive Loss Rules: Application to an S Corporation and its Shareholders,” chapter from Limited Liability Companies and S Corporations Practice Handbook, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (2005, 2008)
- “A Case Study: Who is the “Employer” - Franchisor or Franchisee?”, Franchising World, (May/June 1996)
- “Electing Subchapter S Status,” chapter from S Corporations Practice Handbook, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (1992)
- “Medicaid’s Unhealthy Side Effect: The Financial Burdens of At-Home Spouses of Institutionalized Recipients,” 18 Loyola University of Chicago Law Journal 1037 (1987)
- Speaker, Take It or Leave It Podcast, Episode 4: Leaves, Accommodations and Important Tax Considerations for Remote Workforces, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 1, 2022)
- Co-Presenter, "Families First Coronavirus Response Act Debrief," Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (March 25, 2020)