On Tax
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
On Tax brings together professionals in the Cravath network for conversations about their life and work in the world of tax. Hosted by Cravath partner Len Teti, the show focuses on the often-forgotten human side of tax, highlighting the people, connections and stories that make the space such a fascinating and dynamic area of practice. Learn more about On Tax at cravath.com/podcast. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is a premier U.S. law firm that has been at the center of many of the world’s most significant transactions and disputes for more than two centuries. Learn more about the Firm at cravath.com, and explore its bicentennial at 200.cravath.com. (On Tax is intended for informational and educational purposes only, and does not establish an attorney-client relationship between any person or entity and Cravath.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 27, 2023 • 25min
Joseph Bertucci of Digital Realty
Joseph Bertucci, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Tax at Digital Realty, shares his remarkable journey from Texas to Italy and back. He reflects on his transformative experiences at Enron and GE, emphasizing the importance of career management and seizing international opportunities. The conversation shifts to the art of simplifying tax concepts for non-professionals, empowering leaders to make informed decisions. Lastly, Joseph discusses building high-performing tax teams and the strategies behind effective leadership in the corporate world.
Jun 6, 2023 • 41min
Robert Wellen formerly of the IRS
Robert Wellen, former Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate) at the IRS, shares his journey from studying English to a career in tax law. He discusses the blend of creativity and analytical skills required to navigate the complexities of the Internal Revenue Code. Wellen offers fascinating insights into private letter rulings, corporate tax guidance, and the unique challenges faced by IRS legal counsel. He reflects on the importance of personal relationships in career development and shares anecdotes from his decade-long tenure at the IRS.
May 16, 2023 • 28min
Dèlcia Capocasale of Cuatrecasas
Dèlcia Capocasale is a partner at Cuatrecasas, based in Barcelona and New York, focusing on corporate taxation for financial institutions. She shares insights on the differing legal education systems in Spain and the U.S., revealing how her path was shaped by mentorship. Dèlcia discusses the unexpected passion she found in tax law, the journey from associate to partner, and the nuances of navigating complex tax issues for multinational companies. Her experiences in New York have significantly enriched her understanding of the legal landscape.
Apr 25, 2023 • 33min
Will Dixon of Citigroup
Will Dixon, Managing Director at Citigroup, began his career as a tax associate at Cravath. He shares how his early experiences as a securities trader led him to law school, enriching his credibility in the finance world. Will discusses the challenges he faced transitioning from law to investment banking, emphasizing the valuable skills gained from his legal background. He also reflects on the importance of personal growth, embracing open-mindedness, and how literary interests enhance his professional life.
Apr 4, 2023 • 30min
Rebecca Kysar of Fordham Law School
Rebecca Kysar is a professor at Fordham Law School who started her career as a tax associate at Cravath. In this episode of On Tax, she and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about her early experiences as an associate and why she decided to pursue a career in academia. Rebecca also discusses her time as a member of the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition Team and as a political appointee in the Treasury Department, where she helped lead global negotiations to reach an international tax agreement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 20, 2022 • 28min
Steve Gordon of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP (Originally Released April 2021)
Steve Gordon served as Head or Co-Head of Cravath’s Tax Department from 2000 through 2020. In this episode of On Tax, he talks to host and fellow Cravath partner Len Teti about the many different paths people take into tax law, how his interest in transactional work led him to the tax practice at Cravath—where high‑profile M&A and other corporate transactions are a cornerstone—and the collaborative, trusting culture he worked to cultivate in his years leading the Firm’s Tax Department. (This episode of On Tax was originally published on April 13, 2021.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 29, 2022 • 29min
Dana Frenkel of JPMorgan
Dana Frenkel is Global Head of Employment Tax at JPMorgan. In this episode of On Tax, she and Cravath partner and host Len Teti discuss their experiences starting as associates at the Firm around the same time. Dana also speaks about her career transition to an in-house role and how she expanded her tax expertise to be able to provide global employment advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 8, 2022 • 31min
Paul Stepak of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Paul Stepak is a partner and the National Practice Group Leader for the tax group at law firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP in Toronto, Canada. In this episode of On Tax, he and Cravath partner and host Len Teti talk about collaborating closely on cross-border transactions and how the transition from associate to partner is more gradual than some might expect. Paul also highlights the senior partner who sparked his interest in tax and, as a result, the mentorship he offers junior attorneys in his own group today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 18, 2022 • 30min
Tom Brennan of Harvard Law School
Cravath alumnus Tom Brennan is the Stanley S. Surrey Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. Before he turned to tax law and academia, Tom received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as his PhD, in math. In this episode of On Tax, Tom talks to Cravath partner and host Len Teti about the unexpected paths his career has taken and how he helps to guide law students who are exploring their interests in the tax field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 27, 2022 • 32min
Sheila Warren of Crypto Council for Innovation
Sheila Warren is CEO of Crypto Council for Innovation. In this episode of On Tax, she talks to Cravath partner and host Len Teti about starting her career as an associate in the Firm’s Tax Department and how following her passion for the arts and community service led to a varied career that has so far included stints as an expert in exempt organizations law, software product developer, senior executive at a technology nonprofit, and founder of the digital assets team at the World Economic Forum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
