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Fall 2025 Newsletter
Graduate Tax Program
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Dear Friends of the Graduate Tax Program,
We are delighted to share the many accomplishments and milestones of the UC Irvine Graduate Tax Program during an exceptionally productive Fall 2025 semester!
In August, we welcomed our seventh cohort—a remarkable class of 16 students that represents both our largest and most diverse group to date. This distinguished cohort includes three UCI Law J.D. alumni, and five international students from the Philippines, Taiwan, China, and the United Arab Emirates. We are also proud that two students are pioneering participants in our recently launched part-time program.
Our students have enjoyed a semester rich with professional opportunities. We hosted networking events with leading law firms and accounting firms, welcomed distinguished tax practitioners and facilitated our annual Tax Career Day interview program.
| | We invite you to explore the highlights of the UC Irvine Graduate Tax Program in this newsletter! | | The A. Lavar Taylor Endowed Tax Law Scholarship | | |
We are thrilled to announce that the Graduate Tax Program has established the A. Lavar Taylor Endowed Tax Law Scholarship, made possible through an extraordinary $250,000 gift from Mr. A. Lavar Taylor and his wife, Ms. Lynda B. Taylor—marking the program's first endowed scholarship.
Mr. Taylor, founder of Taylor Nelson Amitrano LLP, a distinguished Tax Controversy Law Firm, has been an unwavering champion of the Graduate Tax Program since its inception in 2019. His commitment exemplifies true partnership, touching every dimension of the program's mission. Since the program's inception, Mr. Taylor has shared his expertise and mentored countless students. He has supported career opportunities for our students through the Graduate Tax Program externship program and post-graduate hiring initiatives, opening vital career pathways for our graduates.
This landmark endowment represents not only a transformative investment in our students' futures but also a testament to the power of visionary philanthropy. We are profoundly grateful to Mr. and Ms. Taylor for this historic gift and look forward to the endowment's lasting impact on generations of tax law scholars to come.
| | Victor Fleischer, Omri Marian, A. Lavar Taylor, and Joshua Blank. | | A. Lavar Taylor and his wife, Lynda B. Taylor. | | A. Lavar Taylor and Natascha Fastabend. | | |
Four Students to Receive Low Income
Taxpayer Scholarship
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Last fall, UC Irvine School of Law launched an innovative scholarship program designed to cultivate the next generation of public service-oriented tax professionals. The Graduate Tax Program now offers a $20,000 tuition scholarship to admitted students who have demonstrated a commitment to serving low-income taxpayers through their work or volunteer service with a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC).
To qualify for this merit-based scholarship, admitted students must have either volunteered for at least 125 hours with an LITC during law school or been employed at an LITC for a minimum of six months. We are proud to announce that four exceptional students in the Class of 2026 have been selected as the inaugural LITC Scholarship recipients.
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Dean and Chancellor's Professor of Law Austen Parrish remarked, "By offering this LITC Scholarship, we are thrilled to build a pipeline of talented, public service-oriented tax professionals who are passionate about making a difference in their communities. I'm very proud of this inaugural class of LITC Scholars in our top-ranked Graduate Tax Program."
These scholars represent the values at the heart of our program: excellence, service, and dedication to ensuring justice and access for all taxpayers. Please click below to learn more about each scholarship recipient and their inspiring commitment to public service.
| | Introducing Michael Lebovitz | | | | |
This fall, we were delighted to welcome Professor Michael Lebovitz, Partner at Eversheds Sutherland, as a new instructor to our Graduate Tax Program.
Professor Lebovitz has more than 40 years of experience in international tax law, providing strategic counsel to multinational clients across the globe.
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His extensive practice encompasses the tax dimensions of international joint ventures, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, post-transaction integration, international corporate finance, capital market transactions, and sophisticated international tax planning.
Throughout his career, Professor Lebovitz has successfully led teams advising on complex multinational restructurings and designing comprehensive integration plans following global mergers and acquisitions. His expertise extends to intellectual property and supply chain planning in connection with transactions, navigating US and Global Tax Reform, and optimizing tax strategies for overall business operations.
Professor Lebovitz taught Accounting for Lawyers this fall, where our students benefit from his real-world insights and decades of practical experience in the field. We are thrilled to have him as an instructor and look forward to the invaluable perspective he brings to our program.
| | Graduate Tax Program Events | | IFA Careers in Tax Pathways Event | | |
Each fall, the Graduate Tax Program co-hosts the UCI/IFA Careers in Tax Pathways event, an annual roundtable discussion exploring diverse career pathways for those considering or launching their careers in tax law. This year's program brought together distinguished representatives from Big 4 accounting firms, Big Law, industry, the Tax Court, and the California Office of Tax Appeals.
The event featured a dynamic discussion on alternative career trajectories in taxation, covering essential topics such as what to expect when embarking on a tax career, employer expectations, and strategies for transitioning between different career pathways. Our students gained invaluable insights from practitioners across the full spectrum of tax practice.
This year's esteemed panelists included (in alphabetical order): Michael Alcan, Kirkland & Ellis; Andres Berdugo (Class of 2023), Chamberlain Hrdlicka; Chan Chea, Gilead; Hans Famularo, California Office of Tax Appeals; Liliana Galindo, Xsolla; Jimeel Hamud, RSM; Michael Lebovitz (moderator), Eversheds Sutherland; Xingshuo Liu (Class of 2020), EY; Travis Thompson, Fennemore; and Steve Weerts, KPMG.
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In October, the Graduate Tax Program hosted its annual Tax Career Day, a signature recruiting event where employers interview Tax LLM candidates for Spring 2026 externship opportunities. This year marked an exciting milestone as we welcomed four new externship partners to the program: the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, Sheppard Mullin, HP, and Xsolla, expanding our reach across government, law firm, and industry sectors.
Tax Career Day continues to be an invaluable bridge between our students and leading organizations in the tax profession. We are deeply grateful to the following employers for their participation and commitment to developing the next generation of tax professionals:
| | If you are interested in participating in Tax Career Day 2026, please contact Executive Director, Natascha Fastabend at nfastabend@law.uci.edu. | | Tax Attorney Recruiting Event (TARE) | | The Tax Attorney Recruiting Event (TARE) is a premier one-day virtual job fair that will take place on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Hosted by a consortium of four elite law schools—Boston University School of Law, UC Irvine School of Law, University of Florida Levin College of Law, and Northwestern Pritzker School of Law—TARE provides employers with exclusive access to interview the nation's top graduate tax students. | | | |
Participating employers benefit from the opportunity to pre-screen applications and select candidates who best match their hiring needs. Employers can choose to conduct virtual interviews during TARE or receive a resume packet to interview candidates at their convenience outside of the event. As an added incentive, first-time participants can register free of charge!
If you are interested in participating in TARE 2026, please contact Executive Director Natascha Fastabend at nfastabend@law.uci.edu.
| | Graduate Tax Student Testimonials | |
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Hanna Abunales
Graduate Tax Student, Class of 2026
Hanna Abunales is a licensed California attorney and a CPA-lawyer from the Philippines. Hanna has extensive experience spanning litigation, legislative policy, corporate advisory, and government service. With her dual background in law and accountancy and her passion for tax, she aspires to gain a comprehensive understanding of tax at an international level. Hanna earned her Juris Doctor from San Beda College Alabang School of Law with numerous academic distinctions, and her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, from St. Paul School of Business and Law, cum laude. During law school, Hanna was part of The Bedan Law Review and author of a published academic article on tax. She is also a Certified Tax Technician, Certified Tax Compliance Specialist, and Certified Tax Specialist.
"The University of California’s Graduate Tax Program has a foremost reputation in the field of tax law. Taught by the best and the brightest in the field, it provides an invaluable learning experience geared towards equipping us in whatever field of tax law we wish to specialize in. More importantly, what sets it apart from any other tax program is its unwaveringly commitment and dedication to our professional growth, characterized by the faculty’s willingness to give us individualized attention in deepening our knowledge of the materials they are teaching to better prepare us for practice. The faculty’s extraordinary guidance and support, and the program’s genuine investment in our future, even far beyond the walls of our school, is what makes it the best."
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David An
Graduate Tax Student, Class of 2026
David An received his J.D. from USC Gould School of Law, where he developed a strong interest in tax law through his coursework. He has a background in film production and, as a dual citizen, served in the Republic of Korea Army, completing his service with an honorable discharge. While in law school, David worked as a legal intern at a tech startup and as a law clerk at a litigation firm. After graduating and passing the California bar exam, he was offered a position at the litigation firm, where he gained experience in civil and corporate disputes and contributed to a range of cases. In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting and carving canyons on his motorcycle.
“Being in UCI's Graduate Tax Program has really deepened my understanding of tax law through its rigorous curriculum and the chance to learn directly from leading tax experts. I have found the program’s unique mentorship and practical experience opportunities invaluable. The faculty are genuinely invested in our success, and that support has given me real confidence as I pursue my career in tax law.”
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