Melissa L. Wiley is a Member in Caplin & Drysdale's Washington, D.C. office.
Ms. Wiley’s practice focuses on assisting clients to come into compliance with their U.S. tax obligations and advising U.S. taxpayers on all types of civil and criminal tax controversy matters at the federal and state level.
Highlights
Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Wiley was a Senior Manager in the National Tax Department at a Big Four accounting firm, where she specialized in tax controversy. In addition to serving clients, Ms. Wiley served as a firm subject matter expert on a variety of tax controversy topics and regularly spoke on firm webinars and taught classes to colleagues and clients. With that firm she also served as internal counsel, providing legal guidance on a variety of matters related to the firm’s tax practice. Prior to that, Ms. Wiley was a tax controversy attorney at an international law firm, where she represented clients in federal and state controversy matters, including taking three cases through trial.
Ms. Wiley previously worked as analyst in the insurance industry before attending Georgetown University Law Center.
Ms. Wiley is active in tax professional organizations, including the AICPA and the ABA Tax Section, where she previously served as Vice Chair for Committee Operations and is currently a member of the Nominating and Appointments to the Tax Court Committees. She is also the chair of the DC Bar Tax Audits & Litigation Committee and the Regent for the Federal Circuit for the American College of Tax Counsel. Ms. Wiley is also dedicated to assisting local children and caretakers through the Children’s Law Center, where she serves on the board and has provided pro bono services for more than 15 years.
Admissions & Education
Bar & Court Admissions
- District of Columbia
- New York
- U.S. Tax Court
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Education
J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 2003, cum laude
B.S., The College of Insurance (now part of St. John's University), 1998, summa cum laude
Recognitions & Noteworthy
Honors & Recognitions
ABA Nolan Fellow
Professional Activities & Affiliations
Other Professional Affiliations
Board Member, Emeritus Board Chair, Pro Bono Attorney, Children’s Law Center
Board Member, Community Tax Law Project
Chair, Tax Audits & Litigation Committee, D.C Bar Association, Tax Section
Fellow, American College of Tax Counsel, 2019-Present
Regent, Federal Circuit, American College of Tax Counsel, March 2023-Present
Member, IRS Advocacy & Relations and National Tax Committees, AICPA
Member, Caplin & Drysdale’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
Former Vice Chair, Committee Operations, American Bar Association, Section of Taxation
