Team

ANSON H. ASBURY, J.D., LL.M.

Anson H. Asbury is the founder and managing partner of Asbury Law Firm, Tax Counsel. Anson has represented clients in complex federal tax litigation and tax controversies for over 20 years. He has represented individuals, estates, partnerships, closely-held corporations and Fortune 500 companies in all stages of tax controversy. He is a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel and ranked by Chambers USA for tax litigation.

He represents clients nationally and internationally in civil and criminal cases in the U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and U.S. District Courts. He handles a variety of tax issues including conservation easement donations, captive insurance companies, passport revocation, split dollar life insurance, estate taxes, business expenses, and foreign tax credits. He represents clients facing all manner of IRS penalties, including fraud penalties, FBAR penalties, promoter penalties and preparer penalties. He also represents clients subject to or connected with criminal tax investigations and those indicted under criminal tax charges.

Anson is a nationally recognized speaker often appearing on panels alongside members of the United States Tax Court, the Department of Justice Tax Division, and the Internal Revenue Service Office of Chief Counsel. He has been quoted on tax matters in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Forbes, BNA Daily Tax Report, and Tax Analysts Tax Notes Today. He has written on numerous tax topics such as statutory construction, conservation easement donations, and corporate tax reporting for Tax Notes Today Federal, the Journal of Accountancy, the Federal Lawyer, The Practical Tax Lawyer, and Bloomberg BNA Tax Management Memorandum. He is the co-host of Tax Talk with Art and Anson, a video CPE broadcast of the Georgia Society of CPAs. Please visit our Background page for recent speeches, articles and headlines.

Rated by Chambers USAGeorgia Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers, for his accomplishments in tax law, Anson has earned the high regard of his fellow professionals as well. He is peer-review rated Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent and has a 10.0 “Superb” AVVO rating.

Anson is the Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association Section on Taxation’s Court Practice and Procedure Committee, a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, a Barrister in the J. Edgar Murdock American Inn of Court at the U.S. Tax Court, and a past Chair of the Atlanta Bar Association Tax Law Section. A retired officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, Anson was a tax professor at the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School. Anson also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Joseph Gale of the United States Tax Court.

Representative matters

  • Negotiated a 70% concession on a conservation easement donation without litigation.
  • Won a total concession of $6.5 million in a Tax Court case involving a listed transaction.
  • Gained full abatement of penalties in an ongoing conservation easement case.
  • Reduced a state employment tax assessment by $1.14 million at an administrative hearing.
  • Protected a $10.8 million refund claim challenged under audit as a passive loss.
  • Advised a national media company on a multi-million dollar income tax accounting position.
  • Won a total concession in a sales tax trust fund liability case.

Honors
Fellow, American College of Tax Counsel
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Chambers USA, 2021, Tax
Georgia’s Super Lawyers 2016 – 2021, Tax
Best Lawyers in America 2020 – 2021, Tax Law
AVVO Rated 10.0 Superb
Harry S. Truman Foundation Scholar, 1990

Associations
Vice-Chair, Court Practice and Procedure Committee, American Bar Association Section of Taxation
Past Chair, Tax Law Section, Atlanta Bar Association
Barrister, J. Edgar Murdock Inn of Court at the U.S. Tax Court
Administrative Practice Committee, American Bar Association Section of Taxation
Tax Litigation and Controversy Committee, American Bar Association Section of Real Property, Trust and Estate Law

Court Admissions
Supreme Court of the United States
U.S. Tax Court
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee
Supreme Court of Georgia

Bar Admissions
Georgia
New York
Pennsylvania

Education
Villanova University, Honors Program, B.A. 1992
Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, J.D. 1998
Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M. Taxation (with distinction) 2003

Anson H. Asbury, J.D., LL.M.
Email: anson@asburylawfirm.com
Phone: (404) 382-9942
Fax: (404) 565-1103


Brian Gardner, J.D., LL.M.

Brian Gardner, J.D., LL.M.

Brian Gardner is a partner at Asbury Law Firm, Tax Counsel. Brian focuses his practice on tax controversy and litigation matters. He represents taxpayers in all phases of civil and criminal tax litigation including U.S. District Courts, U.S. Tax Court, United States Courts of Appeals, and the Georgia Tax Tribunal. Brian has extensive experience working with the IRS and the Georgia Department of Revenue in matters concerning, among other things, defense of conservation easements, passive activity losses, net operating losses, estate taxes, 831(b) captive insurance, promoter penalties, employment taxes, and international tax issues.

Prior to joining Asbury Law firm, Brian practiced at an AmLaw 100 firm and a mid-sized firm in Atlanta, Georgia. He has represented clients in civil and criminal tax proceedings in U.S. District Courts, the U.S. Tax Court, and U.S. Courts of Appeals.

Repeatedly selected to Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Stars and Best Lawyers in Americas Ones to Watch, Brian is recognized among his peers as a tax expert.

Brian regularly speaks and writes on tax controversy topics.  He has presented at local and national tax conferences, led webinars, and appeared on panels on topics ranging from litigating employment tax controversies to dealing with international tax noncompliance. Please visit our Background page for recent speeches, articles and headlines.

Brian attended Villanova University School of Law as a Dean’s Merit Scholar. While there, he worked in the Villanova Federal Tax Clinic and was awarded the Federal Tax Clinic Award as the top student in the Clinic. Brian received his LL.M in Taxation from Georgetown University. 

Representative Matters

  • Secured precedent-setting victory in 11th Circuit case reversing the Tax Court in a conservation easement case.
  • Negotiated $250,000 refund in Tax Court case where IRS originally proposed over $1.5 million in tax and penalties.
  • Represented taxpayers in case of first impression regarding method of accounting issue.
  • Received full abatement of over $1 million in foreign noncompliance penalties through collection due process procedures.
  • Won Tax Court case involving $1+ million theft loss deduction.
  • Successfully defended taxpayers against IRS’s penalty assertion in Tax Court trial of $14 million conservation easement donation.

Honors
Georgia Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2018-2022, Tax
Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, 2021-22, Tax Law
Young Lawyers Division Leadership Academy Class of 2017, State Bar of Georgia
Federal Tax Clinic Award, top student in the Villanova Federal Tax Clinic.

Associations
Section of Taxation, American Bar Association
Taxation Law Section, State Bar of Georgia
Tax Law Section, Atlanta Bar Association

Court Admissions
Supreme Court of Georgia
U.S. Tax Court
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia

Bar Admissions
Georgia

Education
Furman University, B.A. 2010
Villanova University, J.D. 2013
Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M. in Taxation, 2018

Brian Gardner, J.D., LL.M.
Email: brian@asburylawfirm.com
Phone: (404) 382-9942
Fax: (404) 565-1103


ETHAN J. VERNON, J.D., MTX

Ethan Vernon

Ethan J. Vernon is an associate at Asbury Law Firm, Tax Counsel. Ethan focuses his practice on federal and state tax controversies, tax litigation, business tax planning, and corporate organization. Ethan was selected to the inaugural Best Lawyers Ones to Watch list for Tax Law and named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2021 and 2022.

Before joining Asbury Law Firm, Ethan was a tax consultant at a Big Four accounting firm. There he assisted clients with state and local tax planning and compliance. Specifically, he advised clients on the state and local tax implications of mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, and corporate reorganizations.

Ethan graduated magna cum laude from Georgia State University College of Law, where he received the CALI Award for Excellence (highest grade) in Partnership & LLC Taxation, Tax Clinic: Tax Court II, Corporate Finance, Civil Procedure II, and Legal Bibliography. While in law school, he represented individuals facing federal income tax controversy and collection issues as a student attorney in the Philip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic. Ethan also worked as a graduate research assistant for the Consortium on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution.

Honors
Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch 2021-22, Tax Law
Georgia Super Lawyers, Rising Stars 2021-22, Tax
CALI Award for Excellence (highest grade) in:
• Partnership & LLC Taxation
• Tax Clinic: Tax Court II
• Corporate Finance
• Civil Procedure II
• Legal Bibliography
J.D., magna cum laude, Georgia State University College of Law

Publications
DOL Updates Overtime Exemption Rules, Current Accounts, The Georgia Society of CPAs, Jan/Feb 2020
While You Were Away: Tax Updates from the 2019 Filing Season, Current Accounts, The Georgia Society of CPAs, May/June 2019

Associations
Section of Taxation, American Bar Association
Young Lawyer’s Division, American Bar Association
Taxation Law Section, State Bar of Georgia
Tax Law Section, Atlanta Bar Association

Court Admissions
U. S. Tax Court
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
Supreme Court of Georgia

Bar Admissions
Georgia

Education
University of Georgia, B.B.A., Finance, 2012
Georgia State University College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2017
Georgia State University, MTX, 2017

Ethan J. Vernon, J.D., MTX
Email: ethan@asburylawfirm.com
Phone: (404) 382-9942
Fax: (404) 565-1103


ANDREW R. VAZQUEZ, ESQ.

Andrew Vazquez is an associate at Asbury Law Firm, Tax Counsel. Andrew focuses his practice on federal and state tax controversies, tax litigation, business tax planning, corporate organization, estate planning, and probate. Andrew is the Vice-Chair of the Taxation Section of the State Bar of Georgia and was named to Best Lawyers Ones to Watch for Tax Law in 2021-2022 and Super Lawyers Rising Stars in 2022.

Before joining Asbury Law Firm, Andrew practiced in Atlanta representing clients in the resolution of federal and state individual income, corporate income, and employment tax issues.

In law school, Andrew represented individuals facing federal income tax controversy and collection issues as a student attorney and graduate research assistant in the Philip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic. Andrew also was an extern with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel. 

Publications
DOL Updates Overtime Exemption Rules, Current Accounts, The Georgia Society of CPAs, Jan/Feb 2020

Honors
Best Lawyers in America Ones to Watch, 2021-22, Tax Law
Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2022, Tax
Atlanta Bar Foundation J.B. Moore Tax Clinic Client Service Award

Associations
Vice-Chair, Taxation Law Section, State Bar of Georgia
Tax Law Section, Atlanta Bar Association
Estate Planning and Probate Section, Atlanta Bar Association
Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Court Admissions
U.S. Tax Court
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
Supreme Court of Georgia
Georgia Court of Appeals

Bar Admissions
Georgia

Education
Georgia State University, B.A., 2012
Georgia State University College of Law, J.D., 2015

Andrew R. Vazquez, Esq.
Email: andrew@asburylawfirm.com
Phone: (404) 382-9942
Fax: (404) 565-1103


AMANDA CONNER, ESQ.

Mandy Conner is an associate at Asbury Law Firm, Tax Counsel. Mandy focuses her practice on federal tax controversies, tax litigation, non-profit representation, and estate planning.

In law school, Mandy represented individuals facing federal income tax controversy and collection issues as a student attorney in the Philip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic. She was also a Graduate Research Assistant to Dean Alexis Martinez and earned the top grades in Tax Clinic: Tax Court II and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Mandy is also a magna cum laude graduate of Kennesaw State University.

Honors
CALI Award for Excellence (highest grade) in:
• Tax Clinic: Tax Court II
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
B.S., magna cum laude, Kennesaw State University

Associations
Taxation Law Section, State Bar of Georgia
Tax Law Section, Atlanta Bar Association
Estate Planning and Probate Section, Atlanta Bar Association

Bar Admissions
Georgia

Education
Kennesaw State University, B.S., magna cum laude, 2010
Georgia State University College of Law, J.D., 2020

Amanda Conner, Esq.
Email: mandy@asburylawfirm.com
Phone: (404) 382-9942
Fax: (404) 565-1103


ASHLEY SWAN MCCLURE, ESQ.

Ashley Swan McClure is an associate at Asbury Law Firm, Tax Counsel. Ashley focuses her practice on state and federal tax controversies and tax litigation.

Prior to joining Asbury Law Firm, Ashley was a member of the tax litigation practice at an AmLaw 100 firm. In law school, Ashley was a graduate research assistant in the Philip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic. Ashley is a magna cum laude graduate of Kennesaw State University.

Honors
CALI Award for Excellence (highest grade) in:
• Tax Clinic: Tax Court II
The Ginny and Kelly Smith Tax Clinic Outstanding Service Award Recipient
B.S., magna cum laude, Kennesaw State University

Associations
Taxation Law Section, State Bar of Georgia
Tax Law Section, Atlanta Bar Association

Bar Admissions
Georgia

Education
Kennesaw State University, B.S., magna cum laude, 2012
Georgia State University College of Law, J.D., 2017

Ashley Swan McClure, Esq.
Email: ashley@asburylawfirm.com
Phone: (404) 382-9942
Fax: (404) 565-1103


ARTHUR AUERBACH, CPA, CGMA

Arthur Auerbach is a Special Consultant to Asbury Law Firm serving clients with tax consulting, estate and financial planning for individuals and closely-held businesses. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the New York, Greater Washington D.C., Georgia and Virginia Societies of CPAs and a past member of the AICPA Individual Tax Resource Panel. He currently serves on the AICPA’s IRS Advocacy and Relations Committee and is on the editorial board of the Journal of Accountancy. From February 1, 2018 until May 31, 2019, Art also serves on the AICPA’s Tax Executive Committee. He also currently serves on the Georgia Tax Commissioner’s Advisory Group. He is a member of the Georgia Society of CPAs Financial Literacy Task Force and beginning June 1, 2018 will serve as chair of the GSCPA Tax Committee. He has served as an advisor to the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue and on the Tax Commissioner’s Advisory Group in Virginia, and is a member of the VSCPA Ethics Committee. Art also served on the Affordable Care Act task force of the American Institute of CPAs.

With over fifty years of experience working with small businesses, Art appreciates the challenges of complying with the myriad of regulations and requirements facing small and medium sized businesses trying to manage their tax obligations. His service on the Advisory Groups with the Tax Commissioners of Virginia, District of Columbia, and Georgia also provides experience in the problems of administering the complexities of the state and local tax obligations of small and medium sized businesses.

Art has taught hundreds of classes to CPAs across the county on a wide range of tax topics. He also has instructed on planning for retirement, budgeting for individuals and businesses, and planning for education. He also regularly advises practitioners and taxpayers how to navigate the Internal Revenue Service for a variety of issues.

Arthur Auerbach, CPA, CGMA
Email: art@asburylawfirm.com
Phone: (404) 382-9942
Fax: (404) 565-1103