Ex-IRS Commissioner Joins Tax Law Firm Chamberlain Hrdlicka

Charles Rettig, who served as commissioner of the IRS during the Trump administration, joined tax-focused law firm Chamberlain Hrdlicka as a shareholder on March 4.

He is the newest addition to the firm’s tax controversy and litigation practice, which is comprised of attorneys experienced in advising and representing taxpayers before federal, state, and local taxing authorities and in federal and state courts throughout the country. Rettig will be based in Los Angeles.

“To say we are honored to have Chuck Rettig join our firm would be an understatement,” Larry Campagna, managing shareholder at Chamberlain Hrdlicka, said in a statement. “Chuck’s addition to Chamberlain is a testament to our work within the tax controversy market and our clients. His incredible experience at the IRS, focusing on improving service to taxpayers and deep consideration for his employees, makes him a pivotal and instrumental addition to the team.”

Appointed by then-president Donald Trump, Rettig served as IRS commissioner from 2018 until his term expired in 2022. Doug O’Donnell served as acting commissioner from October 2022 until Danny Werfel took over as agency chief in March 2023.

“This move to Chamberlain Hrdlicka is a natural progression from my tenure as the IRS commissioner,” Rettig said. “It just makes sense following my work at the biggest tax agency to then join the preeminent tax and tax controversy firm in the country. I am excited to collaborate with longtime friends and colleagues within the firm, collectively dedicated to delivering unparalleled service. I am privileged to have many friends and colleagues in the tax profession and look forward to this opportunity to again work closely with them going forward.”

Rettig will reunite with Tom Cullinan, an Atlanta-based shareholder with Chamberlain Hrdlicka who served as counselor to the IRS commissioner and then acting IRS chief of staff under Rettig.

“I am thrilled to be able to work with Chuck again in a new capacity,” Cullinan said. “After working under Chuck as a part of his core leadership team, I can attest to his ability to lead and his vast understanding of the IRS organization, as well as its culture, operations and capabilities. That knowledge makes Chamberlain unique in its ability to advise its clients on tax enforcement issues and will solidify and expand our reach in the tax controversy market.”

Prior to becoming IRS commissioner, Rettig served for 36 years as a principal with Beverly Hills, Calif.-based law firm Hochman, Salkin, Rettig, Toscher & Perez, where he represented thousands of individuals and companies in civil and criminal tax matters before the IRS and against the tax agency in court.