J. Ben Ward

J. Ben Ward

Associate
Baker & McKenzie LLP

Biography

Ben Ward is an associate in Baker McKenzie’s Tax Practice Group, based in Washington, DC.

Prior to joining Baker McKenzie, Ben worked for several years at a large public accounting firm with a cross-industry focus on state and local tax (SALT), advising clients on all aspects of direct and indirect taxes and engaging in state and local credit and incentive consulting services.

Ben earned his Juris Doctorate from Emory University School of Law. He also received a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) with a Federal Taxation focus from Gonzaga University.

Ben has been licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) since 2017.

Practice Focus

Ben's practice focuses on the resolution of Federal income tax controversies with the IRS and before the US Tax Court, as well as international tax disputes. He advises clients throughout all phases of a controversy, including audit, administrative appeals, and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

Ben also advises multinational and domestic companies in a variety of local, federal, and international tax controversy issues.

Admissions

  • District of Columbia~United States (2024)
  • Washington~United States (2023)
  • U.S. Tax Court~United States (2023)
  • Oregon~United States (Certified Public Accountant) (2017)

Education

  • Emory University School of Law (JD) (2023)
  • Gonzaga University (MAcc) (2015)
  • Gonzaga University (BBA) (2014)

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish

Co-author, "United States: Tax Court reverses course on validity of extinguishment regulation after circuit split," Baker McKenzie InsightPlus, May 2024

Author, “Status Check: Should the Federal Tax Status of a Disregarded Debtor Be Property of the Estate?,” Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal, Volume 39, Issue 3, August 2023

Co-author, “United States: Ninth Circuit holds mandatory Repatriation Tax is constitutional,” Baker McKenzie InsightPlus, July 2022