Latest News

The latest news & events including upcoming speaking and moderation dates as well as awards and articles.

Brian Gardner named as 2023-2024 Nolan Fellow

Brian Gardner has been named as one of the 2023-2024 Nolan Fellows by the American Bar Association. Nolan Fellows are tax lawyers who are actively involved in the American Bar Association Section of Taxation and have demonstrated leadership qualities and a commitment to the Section’s mission.   

Asbury Law Firm adds Four U.S. News Best Lawyer awards

Asbury Law Firm attorneys Brian Gardner, Ethan Vernon, Andrew Vazquez, and Anson Asbury have all been recognized by U.S. News Best Lawyers. All of the lawyers were recognized for Tax Law and Tax Litigation and Controversy. Brian Gardner was also recognized for Corporate Law and Andrew Vazquez was selected for Trusts & Estates.

Mark to speak on Strategic Considerations for IRS Audits at TEI Audit & Appeals Conference

Mark Mesler will be part of the panel, Strategic Considerations for IRS Audits, at the 2022 Tax Executives Institute Audit & Appeals Seminar on September 20, 2022 at the Capital One Hall in metro Washington, DC. Mark is a regular speaker at national and regional TEI events often sharing his extensive experience on managing large corporate examinations and appeals.

TEI’s 2022 Audits & Appeals Seminar will delve deeply into how tax administration has shifted and will equip in-house tax professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in this new environment. Offered as an in-person event for the first time in three years, the three-day seminar will take place September 20-22 at the recently opened Capital One Hall in Tysons, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC.

Asbury Law Firm added to The Legal 500

Asbury Law Firm has been named a Leading Firm in the 2022 edition of The Legal 500. The firm is one of only 30 firms in the United States recognized for excellence in U.S. Tax: Contentious.

The Legal 500 is a global law firm ratings organization whose rankings are based on feedback from 300,000 in-house peers and access to law firms deals and confidential matters, which are independently assessed by its researchers.

Commentary about the firm includes:
The team’s tax knowledge is amazing.” 
Individual strengths include knowledge of the law, relationships with IRS, and finding creative resolutions for clients.
Asbury Law Firm has built an incredible team that understands the client’s urgency in any situation”

Mark Mesler joins Asbury Law Firm

Mark Mesler has joined Asbury Law Firm as Senior Counsel. Mark is a retired Principal at Ernst & Young where he lead the firm’s Tax Controversy practice for the Central and Southeast United States. Mark has extensive background in corporate examinations, IRS appeals and sophisticated tax controversies. Before joining E&Y, Mark was a trial attorney for IRS Chief Counsel for over a decade. Mark was also a member of the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council and served as Chair of the Large Business & International sub-group.

Mark’s 35+ years of experience in both corporate taxpayer representation and tax litigation provides a unique and valuable resource for clients. Mark will serve clients as an advisor and strategist for complex IRS matters, corporate examinations and IRS appeals.

Asbury Law Firm ranked by Chambers USA 2022 for Tax Litigation

Asbury Law Firm has again been named a Leading Firm for Tax Litigation by Chambers USA. One of only seven law firms recognized for tax in the the state of Georgia, the team is described as having “exceptional depth and intellect” and “well staffed with with experts who are capable of handling sophisticated matters.” Anson H. Asbury is again a ranked lawyer and Brian Gardner and Ethan Vernon were noted among the key members of the team in the 2022 edition of the Chambers USA rankings.

Since 1990, Chambers & Partners has identified and ranked the most outstanding law firms and lawyers in more than 180 jurisdictions worldwide. Chambers bases its listings solely on extensive research and outside evaluations of merit through a rigorous client and competitor interview process.

Brian Gardner lands taxpayer win in Walters V. Commissioner

Brian Gardner litigated this case at a prior firm with co-counsel Vivian Hoard. The case dealt with the disallowance of real estate losses as hobby losses under Section 183. The Tax Court ruled in favor of the taxpayers. See Walters v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2022-17.

Four Asbury Law Firm Attorneys named Georgia Super Lawyers

Anson H. Asbury, Brian Gardner, Ethan Vernon, and Andrew Vazquez were named Super Lawyers or Rising Stars in the 2022 edition of Georgia Super Lawyers.

This is the seventh consecutive year that Anson Asbury has been selected as a Georgia Super Lawyer. Anson is also ranked by Chambers USA and Best Lawyers in America. He is a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel and the American Bar Foundation.

It is also the fifth consecutive year that Brian Gardner has been recognized as a Rising Star. He is also recognized as One to Watch by Best Lawyers in America.

This marks Ethan Vernon‘s second year on the Rising Stars list. Andrew Vazquez makes his first appearance as a Rising Star in 2022. Both Ethan and Andrew have been named Ones to Watch by Best Lawyers in America.

Asbury Law Firm ranked by Chambers USA for Tax Litigation

Asbury Law Firm has been named a Leading Firm for Tax Controversy by Chambers USA. Anson H. Asbury is a ranked lawyer and Brian Gardner and Ethan Vernon were noted among the key members of the team in the 2021 edition of the Chambers USA rankings.

Chambers Research is conducted by 200 Research Analysts, across 200 jurisdictions and provides nearly 6,000 rankings tables. Chambers collects hundreds of thousands of responses from clients, the majority via in-depth interview.

Georgia Super Lawyers recognizes Three Asbury Law Firm Attorneys

Anson H. Asbury, Brian Gardner, and Ethan Vernon, were named Super Lawyers or Rising Stars in Tax Law in the 2021 edition of Georgia Super Lawyers.

Anson Asbury has been named as a Georgia Super Lawyer for six consecutive years. Anson is also ranked by Best Lawyers in America and is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. He is a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel and the American Bar Foundation.

It is the fourth consecutive year that Brian Gardner has been recognized as a Rising Star Ethan Vernon‘s first year on the Rising Stars list. Both Brian and Ethan have been named Ones to Watch by Best Lawyers in America.

Anson Questions the Application of Penalties in DOJ Conservation Easement Lawsuit

Anson Asbury was quoted in the December 16, 2019 edition of Tax Notes questioning the application of penalties as asserted by the Department of Justice in Zak v. U.S. Anson agreed with the Judge’s determination that the consultant in the case was not an appraiser. However, he also questioned how an appraiser might be subject to penalties as a tax return preparer. Referring to the Judge’s ruling on that point he said, “I’m not sure if the statutory construction supports it here”