Christopher S. Rizek is a member in Caplin & Drysdale's Washington, D.C. office. Mr. Rizek represents taxpayers in all types of federal civil and criminal tax controversy matters. He also guides clients through IRS audits, prepares administrative claims and protests of IRS actions, and litigates tax and tax-related cases in U.S. district and appellate courts, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and the U.S. Tax Court. In recent years, he has represented numerous financial and professional firms in connection with IRS examinations of tax shelter compliance issues.
Mr. Rizek has a unique history of government service before joining the firm. Most recently, he was an Attorney-Advisor and Associate Tax Legislative Counsel with the U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Tax Legislative Counsel, from 1995-1998. While at Treasury, he was the principal Tax Policy official responsible for regulations and legislation involving tax practice and procedure, including the Taxpayer Bill of Rights 2 (1996) and the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998. Mr. Rizek was previously a Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, from 1984-1988 and received the Outstanding Attorney Award in 1986. His combination of practical and policy-level experience in government has given him special insight into the application of the tax laws and IRS procedures, which has been of great value to many of the firm’s clients who are faced with complex tax controversies and litigation.
Mr. Rizek regularly speaks to tax, legal, and other professionals on a variety of tax issues. He has presented speeches and served on panels for such organizations as the American Bar Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Tax Policy, Tax Executives Institute, and Federal Bar Association. Mr. Rizek is an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Law Center and has also been a guest lecturer at other law schools and universities. He is active in civic organizations in Anne Arundel County, Maryland where he resides, and until recently served as Chairman of the Anne Arundel County Ethics Commission.