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 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 taxpayers, financial entities, and professional firms in connection with IRS examinations of tax shelters and related compliance and professional ethics issues.
Highlights
Mr. Rizek has a unique history of government service before joining the firm. From 1984-1988, he was a Trial Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, and he received the Outstanding Attorney Award in 1986. From 1995-1998, Mr. Rizek was an Attorney-Advisor and Associate Tax Legislative Counsel with the U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Tax Legislative Counsel, with substantial responsibilities for legislation and regulatory actions involving taxpayer rights, tax practice and procedure, and tax compliance.
Mr. Rizek combination of practical and policy-level experience in government has given him special insight into the actual application of the tax laws and procedures to taxpayers. This experience has been of great value to many of the firm's clients who are faced with complex tax controversies and litigation.
Mr. Rizek also served as Caplin & Drysdale’s internal General Counsel for eleven years, with responsibilities including compliance, risk management, and professional ethics. His background and familiarity with such issues helps provide both theoretical and practical insights to other tax and professional firms.
Admissions & Education
Bar & Court Admissions
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
- U.S. Tax Court
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Education
LL.M., Georgetown University Law Center, 1997
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1982, Editor, Law & Policy in International Business
A.B., Dartmouth College, 1979
Recognitions & Noteworthy
Honors & Recognitions
- The Legal 500, Recommended, 2011, 2014-2015, 2017-2019, 2021-Present; Leading Lawyer, 2013-2017
- Chambers USA, 2012-Present
- Best Lawyers in America, 2005-Present
- Super Lawyers, Washington, D.C., 2008-Present
- The Washingtonian, Lifetime Achievement Lawyer, 2022; Top Lawyers, 2015-Present
- Who's Who Legal, Corporate Tax, Recommended, 2018-Present
- Martindale-Hubbell® AV® Preeminent™
Government Service
Attorney, Office of Tax Legislative Counsel, U.S. Department of Treasury, 1995-1998
Attorney, Tax Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 1984-1988
Professional Activities & Affiliations
Professional Activities
Mr. Rizek is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center and in the Spring of 2012 he taught the course Tax Practice & Procedure (Administrative) to IRS personnel. He has also been a guest lecturer at other law schools and universities, and is a frequent speaker at conferences on tax procedure and ethics issues. Mr. Rizek is also active in civic organizations in Anne Arundel County, Maryland where he resides, and formerly served as Chairman of the Anne Arundel County Ethics Commission.
Other Professional Affiliations
Member, American Bar Association, Sections of Taxation and Litigation
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Fellow, American College of Tax Counsel
Member, District of Columbia Bar, Taxation Section
Member, Federal Bar Association, Section of Taxation
Newsroom & Publications
News
- 06.01.2023
- 04.24.2023
- 09.01.2022
- 08.18.2022 | Awards & Rankings
- 06.10.2022 | Awards & Rankings
- 06.03.2022 | Awards & Rankings
- 05.02.2022 | Awards & Rankings
- 11.17.2021 | Tax Notes
- 11.15.2021 | Tax Notes
- 11.12.2021 | Captive Insurance Times
- 11.10.2021 | Bloomberg Tax
- 11.08.2021 | Tax Notes
- 08.19.2021 | Awards & Rankings
- 06.10.2021 | Awards & Rankings
- 05.20.2021 | Awards & Rankings
- 04.29.2021 | Super Lawyers, Awards & Rankings
- 08.20.2020 | U.S. News & World Report, Awards & Rankings
- 05.05.2020 | Awards & Rankings
- 05.04.2020 | Super Lawyers, Awards & Rankings
- 02.27.2020 | POLITICOPRO
- 01.22.2020 | Law360
- 08.15.2019 | Awards & Rankings
- 07.22.2019 | NBC News
- 06.04.2019 | The Legal 500, Awards & Rankings
- 05.17.2019 | Law360 Tax Authority
- 05.03.2019 | National Journal
- 04.25.2019 | Chambers USA, Awards & Rankings
- 04.22.2019 | Super Lawyers, Awards & Rankings
- 04.17.2019 | Bloomberg Law
- 04.13.2019 | Bloomberg Law
- 04.12.2019 | HuffPost
- 04.11.2019 | ABC News
- 01.28.2019 | MLex US Tax Watch
- 01.28.2019 | Tax Notes
- 01.23.2019 | Bloomberg Law, Daily Tax Report
- 01.23.2019 | NPR
- 01.22.2019 | Bloomberg Law, Daily Tax Report
- 01.16.2019 | ABC News
- 01.03.2019
- 12.11.2018 | U.S. Senate Committee on Finance
- 11.28.2018 | Bloomberg Law, Daily Tax Report
- 11.28.2018 | Who's Who Legal, Awards & Rankings
- 09.06.2018 | Tax Notes
- 08.20.2018 | Tax Notes Today
- 08.15.2018 | Awards & Rankings
- 07.10.2018 | Law360
- 07.03.2018 | Law360
- 06.22.2018 | The Washington Post
- 06.12.2018 | Law360
- 05.31.2018 | The Legal 500, Awards & Rankings
- 05.15.2018 | Bloomberg BNA, Tax Management Transfer Pricing Report
- 05.09.2018 | Caplin & Drysdale
- 05.08.2018 | Tax Notes
- 05.03.2018 | Chambers USA, Awards & Rankings
- 04.23.2018
- 04.19.2018 | Tax Notes
- 04.11.2018 | Tax Notes
- 03.26.2018 | Law360
- 03.15.2018 | MLex US Tax Watch
- 02.12.2018 | The Washington Post
- 02.06.2018 | Bloomberg Law
- 01.26.2018 | Law360
- 01.25.2018 | Bloomberg BNA
- 11.17.2017 | Tax Notes
- 08.15.2017 | Awards & Rankings
- 06.02.2017 | Chambers USA, Awards & Rankings
- 06.02.2017 | The Legal 500, Awards & Rankings
- 04.27.2017 | Super Lawyers, Awards & Rankings
- 03.06.2017 | Tax Notes
- 02.10.2017 | Tax Notes
- 12.30.2016 | Tax Notes
- 12.07.2016 | Bloomberg BNA
- 11.23.2016 | POLITICO
- 08.15.2016 | U.S. News & World Report, Awards & Rankings
- 06.16.2016 | The Legal 500, Awards & Rankings
- 06.01.2016 | Chambers USA, Awards & Rankings
- 04.26.2016 | Super Lawyers, Awards & Rankings
- 11.24.2015 | Tax Notes Today
- 11.19.2015 | Both
- 09.23.2015 | Tax Notes Today
- 09.23.2015 | Bloomberg's Daily Tax Report
- 06.08.2015 | Both
- 05.19.2015 | Chambers USA, Awards & Rankings
- 04.23.2015 | Caplin & Drysdale, Both
- 04.02.2015 | Tax Notes Today
- 04.01.2015 | Tax Notes Today
- 04.01.2015 | Tax Notes Today
- 01.13.2015 | LAW360
- 10.20.2014 | Tax Notes Today
- 10.06.2014 | Caplin & Drysdale
- 08.21.2014 | Awards & Rankings
- 07.15.2014 | Tax Notes Today
- 07.05.2014 | Tax Notes Today
- 07.01.2014 | The Legal 500, Awards & Rankings
- 06.10.2014 | USA Today
- 06.10.2014 | Tax Notes Today
- 05.28.2014 | Chambers USA, Awards & Rankings
- 04.30.2014 | The Washington Post, Awards & Rankings
- 03.28.2014 | Tax Notes Today
- 12.03.2013 | Washingtonian Magazine, Awards & Rankings
- 10.21.2013 | U.S. News & World Report, Awards & Rankings
- 10.10.2013 | Caplin & Drysdale
- 10.09.2013 | Tax Notes Today
- 06.07.2013 | Bloomberg
- 05.29.2013 | Chambers USA, Awards & Rankings
- 05.07.2013 | Caplin & Drysdale
- 04.29.2013 | Super Lawyers, Awards & Rankings
- 01.06.2013
- 09.12.2012 | Law360
- 06.12.2012 | Chambers USA / The Legal 500, Both
- 09.01.2011 | U.S. News & World Report, Awards & Rankings
- 08.08.2011 | Tax Notes
- 08.07.2011 | Bloomberg, Pittsburgh Tribune - Review
- 08.01.2011 | Tax Notes
- 06.16.2011 | Chambers USA / The Legal 500, Both
- 06.14.2011 | World Radio Switzerland
- 09.21.2010 | Nasdaq
- 08.04.2010 | U.S. News & World Report, Awards & Rankings
- 06.09.2010 | BNA
- 05.24.2010 | Financial Adviser
- 03.19.2010 | Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, The Washington Post, etc.
- 01.19.2010 | The New York Times
- 09.22.2009
- 09.18.2009 | Reuters
- 09.01.2009 | WebCPA
- 03.27.2009 | Super Lawyers, Awards & Rankings
Speaking Engagements
Mr. Rizek regularly speaks to tax, legal, and other professionals on a variety of tax issues. He has served in numerous capacities for various bar associations involved in taxation, including the ABA Section of Taxation, the DC Bar Tax Section, and the Section of Taxation of the Federal Bar Association.
Mr. Rizek's speaking engagements also include:
- Christopher Rizek Moderates Panel on Judicial Review at International Conference on Taxpayer Rights05.26.2023 | Santiago, Chile
- Christopher Rizek Discusses Attorney-Client Privilege on CPA Webinar Series04.25.2023 | Virtual
- 12.16.2022 | Washington, DC
- Christopher Rizek and Melissa Wiley Address Ethics in the Post-COVID-19 Era at ABA Philadelphia Tax Conference11.15.2022 | The Union League of Philadelphia
- 05.19.2022 | Harvard Law School (online only)
- 05.13.2022 | Hybrid, Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
- 05.13.2022 | Hybrid, Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
- 11.16.2021
- 11.09.2021
- Christopher Rizek Explores Ethical Obligations at ABA Midyear Tax Meeting01.29.2021
- Christopher Rizek Addresses Recent Developments in Court Procedure & Practice at ABA Midyear Tax Meeting01.27.2021
- Christopher Rizek Analyzes Ethical Issues Under the BBA Partnership Audit Regime at UNC School of Law Tax Institute Speaker Series12.04.2020
- Christopher Rizek Addresses Ethics in COVID-19 Era at ABA Virtual Philadelphia Tax Conference11.12.2020
- 12.20.2019
- 10.24.2019
- 06.20.2019
- 01.18.2019
- 12.14.2018
- Christopher Rizek Examines Keeping Your Communications Confidential at Insurance Tax Conference11.09.2018
- 10.25.2018
- 05.11.2018
- 05.11.2018
- Christopher Rizek Moderates Panel on Cross-Border Taxation at 3rd International Conference on Taxpayer Rights05.03.2018
- 04.27.2018
- Christopher Rizek Discusses Tax Controversy at Portland Tax Forum04.26.2018
- Christopher Rizek Addresses Issues in Tax Court at Florida ACTEC Program04.20.2018
- Christopher Rizek Explores Reporting Positions at Florida ACTEC Program04.20.2018
- 04.13.2018
- Christopher Rizek Discusses Ethics at 14th Biennial Parker C. Fielder Oil and Gas Tax Conference11.17.2017
- Christopher Rizek Addresses M&A Ethics, Conflicts and More at TEI Seminar11.07.2017
- Christopher Rizek Analyzes Today's Ethical and Penalty Issues at NYU 76th Institute on Federal Taxation10.26.2017
- 09.15.2017
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Privacy and Transparency at 2nd International Conference on Taxpayer Rights03.13.2017
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Appeals at FBA Tax Law Conference03.03.2017
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Ethical Issues at ABA Tax Section 2017 Midyear Meeting01.20.2017
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Ethics at GWU-IRS International Tax Conference12.15.2016
- 12.09.2016
- 12.01.2016
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Ethical and Penalty Issues for Tax Practitioners at NYU 75th Institute on Federal Taxation10.27.2016
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Administrative Procedure Act at Virginia Conference on Federal Taxation06.03.2016
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Tax Pracititioner Regulations & Ethics at Florida Tax Institute03.30.2016
- 03.14.2016
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Administrative Procedure Act at Federal Bar Association Tax Law Conference03.04.2016
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Ethical Issues and Setting Engagement Terms at ABA Tax Section 2016 Midyear Meeting01.29.2016
- Christopher Rizek to Speak at 13th Biennial Parker Fielder Oil & Gas Tax Conference11.20.2015
- Christopher Rizek to Speak at the 61st Annual William & Mary Tax Conference Panel11.13.2015
- Christopher Rizek to Speak at NYU 74th Institute on Federal Taxation Panel10.29.2015
- Christopher Rizek to Speak at Southern Federal Tax Institute Panel10.19.2015
- Christopher Rizek to Speak at ALI Tax Controversy Program10.09.2015
- 10.08.2015
- Christopher Rizek to Speak at Tax Analysts' Conference09.22.2015
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Circular 230 §10.3609.18.2015
- Christopher Rizek to Serve on Planning Committtee for 7th Annual Tax Controversy Forum06.05.2015
- Christopher Rizek to Speak at 2015 U.S. Tax Court Judicial Conference05.21.2015
- 04.08.2015
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on UVA Tax Study Group Panel03.27.2015
- 03.20.2015
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Refund Litigation Panel03.06.2015
- 01.30.2015
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Tax Professionals and Malpractice12.04.2014
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Ethical Issues for Tax Practitioners11.20.2014
- Christopher Rizek to Speak at FBA's Insurance Tax Conference11.13.2014
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Civil Tax Penalties11.07.2014
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Tax Court Procedures10.17.2014
- 10.01.2014
- 07.16.2014
- How Many Shades of Grey? Current Ethical Issues for Tax Professionals06.11.2014
- Chris topher Rizek to Speak at FBA's 26th Annual Insurance Tax Seminar05.30.2014
- Christopher Rizek to Speak at ABA Section of Taxation May Meeting05.09.2014
- Christopher Rizek to Participate in Tax Analysts' Discussion on the IRS's Readiness for Adopting a Taxpayer Bill of Rights03.27.2014
- 02.03.2014
- 11.21.2013
- 12.06.2012
- 12.05.2012
- Christopher Rizek to Speak at NYU Institute on Federal11.15.2012
- 09.14.2012
- 06.27.2012
- 05.11.2012
- 03.02.2012
- 01.25.2012 | Teleconference & Live Audio Webcast
- Christopher Rizek to Speak at 70th NYU Institute on Federal Taxation11.16.2011
- 10.21.2011
- 10.21.2011
- 07.22.2011
- Christopher Rizek to Chair Roundtable Discussion for 2011 ABA May Meeting05.06.2011
- Christopher Rizek to Chair Court Procedure & Practice Committee05.06.2011
- 02.23.2011
- Christopher Rizek to Speak on Judicial Deference01.21.2011
- Christopher Rizek to Chair Court Procedure and Practice Roundtable01.21.2011
- Christopher Rizek to Chair Court Procedure and Practice Committee01.21.2011
- Christopher Rizek to Speak at TEI's Virginia Chapter Meeting11.18.2010
- 10.04.2010
- Christopher Rizek to Chair Roundtable Discussion09.24.2010
- Christopher Rizek to Present Opening Remarks at 2010 ABA Joint Fall Meeting09.24.2010
- 06.18.2010
- 06.03.2010
- Christopher Rizek to Speak at 34th Annual Tax Law Conference03.05.2010
- Christopher Rizek to Chair Panel for 2010 ABA Midyear Meeting01.22.2010
- 10.18.2009
- 04.11.2007 | Teleconference
- 02.07.2007 | Teleconference
- 10.22.2006 | The Grand Hyatt Park Avenue
Grand Central Station; New York, NY
Publications & Alerts
- 05.08.2023 | Procedurally Taxing
- Tax Court Rules that IRS Lacks Statutory Authority to Assess Penalties for Failure to File Form 547104.06.2023 | Tax Alert
- 03.16.2023 | Pittsburgh Tax Review
- 12.07.2022 | Tax Alert
- 12.21.2021 | Tax Alert
- 04.27.2020 | Tax Alert
- 04.13.2020 | Tax Alert
- 03.31.2020 | Tax Alert
- 02.12.2018 | Tax Alert
- 11.06.2017 | Tax Alert
- 03.03.2017 | International Law Office, Article
- 02.10.2017 | Tax Alert
- 01.27.2017 | International Law Office, Article
- 01.03.2017 | Tax Alert
- 11.25.2016 | International Law Office, Article
- 11.03.2016 | Tax Alert
- 01.22.2016 | International Law Office, Article
- 12.10.2015 | Tax Alert
- 08.01.2015 | International Fiscal Association 2015 Basel Congress, Article
- 02.27.2015 | International Law Office, Article
- 02.13.2015 | Tax Alert
- 11.10.2014 | Forbes, Article
- 09.03.2014 | Real Estate Journal, Article
- 08.29.2014 | International Law Office, Article
- 08.04.2014 | Tax Alert
- 07.29.2011 | Tax Alert
- 10.13.2010 | International Tax Alert
- The Malpractice Environment for Tax Lawyers in the United States08.08.2008 | Practice Exposures for the International Tax Professional in the 21st Century, 37 Tax Management International Journal 431, Article
- 12.01.2007 | ABA Section of Taxation NewsQuarterly, Article
- 10.16.2007 | POLITICO, Article
- 10.01.2006 | Caplin & Drysdale, Article
- 09.08.2006 | Health Lawyers Weekly, Article
- 01.15.2006 | Caplin & Drysdale, Article
- 11.01.2004 | Caplin & Drysdale, Article
- 09.01.2004 | Law Practice Magazine, Article
- 04.01.2004 | Caplin & Drysdale, Article
- 04.01.2004 | Caplin & Drysdale, Article
- 11.01.2003 | Caplin & Drysdale, Article
- 05.07.2003 | Caplin & Drysdale Memorandum, Article
- 04.01.2003 | Caplin & Drysdale, Article
- 12.01.2002 | The Future of American Taxation (Tax Analysts), Article
- 08.05.2002 | Washington Business Journal, Article
- 04.12.2002 | Caplin & Drysdale, Article
- 04.12.2002 | Caplin & Drysdale, Article
- 10.16.2000 | 89 Tax Notes 419, Article
- 10.09.2000 | 89 Tax Notes 301, Article
- 06.01.2000 | 21-2 Municipal Finance Journal 55, Article
- 02.21.2000 | Caplin & Drysdale, Article
- 10.04.1999 | National Law Journal, Article
- 07.05.1999 | Legal Times, Article