Tom Phillips focuses his practice on taxation and provides tax analysis, advice, and tax opinions to publicly traded and closely-held business entities. He has more than 40 years of experience representing clients in and structuring and implementing tax-free reorganizations and mergers, spinoffs, cross-border transactions, taxable asset and stock purchase transactions and partnership transactions. That experience also includes representing private placement investors in limited partnerships and limited liability companies involving hedge funds, distressed company investments, commercial real estate, value company investments, and low-income housing tax credit projects. Tom has extensive experience in tax controversy matters representing clients before the Internal Revenue Service, Wisconsin Department of Revenue, and federal and state courts.

Prior to joining von Briesen, Tom spent the majority of his career as a partner in the Milwaukee office of Quarles & Brady. During law school Tom clerked for Justice J. Allen Crockett of the Utah Supreme Court.

Recent Presentations and Publications

• “Back to Basics, Part 3: S Corporation Shareholder Basics,” ABA Section of Taxation, S Corporation Committee, September 2021
• co-Author, “Comments Concerning Impact of Final Regulations under Section 951A on S Corporations and their Shareholders,” submitted by the ABA Section of Taxation to the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, July 2020
• “Federal Income Taxation of Transfers of Inventions,” Professional Institute of Tax Study, Inc., October 2019
• “The Mechanics of the Section 199A Deduction on New Guidance Under the Proposed Regulations,” State Bar of Wisconsin Taxation Section: November 2018 Tax School
• co-Author, “Comments Concerning the Treatment of Losses and Certain Other Issues with Respect to the Section 199A Deduction,” submitted by the ABA Section of Taxation to the Acting Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, July 2018
• “Changes to S Corporation Partnership and LLC Taxation under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”, ABA Section of Taxation Webinar, January 2018
• “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Section 199A Deduction for Qualified Business Income of Pass-Through Entities,” Professional Institute of Tax Study, Inc., April 2018

Honors & Recognition

• Premier Tax Lawyers, Featured attorney representing Milwaukee (2025)
• American College of Tax Counsel, Fellow
• The Best Lawyers in America^®, Tax Law (2003-2025), Litigation and Controversy – Tax (2011-2025)
• Best Lawyers^® Tax Law “Lawyer of the Year”, Milwaukee (2016)
• AV Preeminent^® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell^®
• Wisconsin Law Foundation, Fellow
• American Bar Foundation, Fellow
• State Bar of Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society

Professional and Civic Associations

• Milwaukee Tax Club
• Professional Institute of Tax Study, Inc.
• State Bar of Wisconsin (Taxation Section, Board of Directors 2016-2019; District Representative, Board of Governors 2011-2015)
• American Bar Association (Section of Taxation; S Corporations Committee, Past Chair 2018-2020; Corporate Tax Committee; Partnerships and LLC Committee)
• Milwaukee Bar Association

Education

• New York University, LL.M. Taxation, 1974
• University of Utah, J.D., 1973, Order of the Coif
• University of Minnesota, B.A., 1970

Bar Admissions

• Wisconsin
• U.S. Court of Federal Claims
• U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western District of Wisconsin
• U.S. Tax Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit

von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

von Briesen’s Tax attorneys are experienced in every type of matter that may present a significant tax issue and with over a dozen advanced tax degrees or certifications have the knowledge and experience to assist in state and local, federal or international issues. We represent businesses, governmental agencies, not-for-profit entities, individuals and a number of public accounting firms in tax issues. When the tax issues get tough, von Briesen’s tax attorneys are there as zealous advocates. We get results. As one of Wisconsin’s only firms with a strong international affiliation, we handle all aspects of our clients’ tax planning, compliance and controversy needs.

von Briesen’s Tax Team is more than just a group with experience in private practice, public accounting and governmental agencies. We are a team who is process oriented, giving our clients a distinctive experience with the goal of adding more than just value to complicated tax issues. We seek to give our clients a return on their investment of time and resources.

At times, tax issues can become multi-faceted and our team will coordinate with other service or industry niches (e.g., technology, litigation, public sector, health care) to make sure that all resources are brought to bear on successful resolution of tax transactions and issues. When litigation is required, we have experienced trial lawyers who handle the most difficult tax controversies.

von Briesen Tax attorneys have been published in the American Bar Association’s Tax Lawyer magazine, AICPA’s Journal of Accountancy, AICPA’s Tax Adviser, various state board of Accountancy publications, the Wisconsin Lawyer and many industry-specific publications. We are also called upon for quotes in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and CFO Magazine among various other national publications. We actively train associations of international CPAs on multi-national tax issues.