The Advanced Tax Institute exists to help high-performing lawyers and CPAs bring the best advice to their clients and their firms. Access in-depth updates on NEW tax laws and regulations across a variety of focus areas.
Kick off your Tax Week strong with a comprehensive session designed for high-performing CPAs, tax attorneys, and advisory professionals aiming to sharpen their edge.
There will be a $25 fee for changing from IN PERSON format to Virtual after October 31, 2025.
Please note – materials for this event will be provided electronically ONLY. Please feel free to bring your own device to view the materials. We recommend that you download them prior to the event date rather than on-site.
Eric J. Rollinger Principal
Tax law attorney and Certified Public Accountant Eric Rollinger is a multifaceted member of Stein Sperling’s nationally recognized tax litigation and controversy team. He takes great pride in having successfully settled hundreds of disputes with the IRS and state taxing authorities. Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his clients’ cases. Detail-oriented and practical, Eric provides each client with an informed course of action structured around the unique aspects of the case. He recognizes that financial concerns often keep clients up at night and, maintaining open lines of communication at all times, he works hard to resolve their cases efficiently and optimally.
As a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Master Analyst in Financial Forensics (MAFF) and Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA), tax controversy and litigation support cases especially appeal to Eric, and he frequently provides relevant support in the areas of income analysis, tracing, tax consequences of marital awards, corporate structures, business valuation and financial forensics. Eric is actively involved in many professional organizations both on national and state levels, staying current with evolving tax laws and regulations. He has co-authored articles on maximizing deductible expenses and implications of tax incentive challenges in the Journal of State Taxation and MACPA Statement magazines.
Michael March
Partner
Mr. March is an experienced tax controversy lawyer who has represented individuals before the Department of Justice in the Federal District Courts of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Florida, and the District of Columbia on matters involving allegations of bank fraud, foreign bank account reporting (FBAR) requirements, and tax evasion, among much more. He has managed teams in resolving civil tax controversies in all stages of administrative proceedings before the U.S. Tax Court, as well as in parallel investigations by the IRS, the Department of Homeland Security, and the FBI. He has extensive experience with complex civil litigation and appeals and white-collar criminal defense.
He previously clerked for the Honorable Philip S. Jackson on the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.
Stay ahead of the curve with the latest on IRS enforcement priorities, procedural changes, and taxpayer services. Learn practical strategies for working with the IRS, responding to notices, and navigating current challenges in tax practice.
Brian O'Connor is co-chair of Venable's Transactional Tax Group.
Brian provides sophisticated tax and business advice to publicly traded and closely held businesses and their owners. His practice focuses on foreign and domestic tax matters for partnerships, limited liability companies, joint ventures, both C and S corporations, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and regulated investment companies (RICs). He is also regularly consulted by wealthy individuals and entrepreneurs on federal and state income tax matters and federal estate and gift tax issues.
As a transactional tax attorney, Brian works on transactions ranging from small sales transactions to merger or acquisition transactions in the billions of dollars. Similarly, as a tax controversy attorney, he has represented both individual clients in small audit matters and publicly traded corporate clients in tax disputes with amounts at issue in excess of $1 billion.
Before joining Venable, Brian was an attorney-advisor for the Office of Chief Counsel at the IRS, where he worked on high-profile legislative projects, regulations, and other published guidance related to partnerships, S corporations, trusts, common trust funds, and cooperatives.
His valuable experience and continuing connections with the government, when combined with his significant private practice experience, permit Brian to provide unique insights to his clients, both large and small, on important tax and business issues.
Liz Stieff focuses her practice on tax advisory and planning matters for domestic entities and individuals. Liz regularly provides transactional tax advice on a range of matters, including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, private equity transactions, and fund formation. She also works with clients on business formation and operational issues, including choice of entity, capital raises, equity incentive planning, and the like. In addition, she has experience working with clients to structure investments and transactions involving real estate investment trusts and qualified opportunity zone funds.
Stay current on the latest federal and state business tax developments impacting your clients and organizations. This session will cover recent legislative, regulatory, and case law updates, as well as practical guidance for navigating compliance challenges and planning opportunities. Participants will leave with actionable insights to help them prepare for year-end and beyond.
Adam S. Zarren is the Founder and Managing Partner of Zarren Law Group, LLC, specializing in M&A, business, corporate, and transactional law. He advises businesses, executives, and entrepreneurs, focusing on both business goals and personal wealth. His practice areas include mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, corporate governance, capital raises, corporate finance, intellectual property, and real estate. His clients are primarily lower and middle market companies and publicly-traded businesses across various industries in Maryland, the US, and internationally.
Before founding Zarren Law Group, Adam was a Partner at Saul Ewing LLP and Neuberger, Quinn, Gielen, Rubin & Gibber, P.A. He earned his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law (2002) and an M.B.A. from the University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business (2004), both magna cum laude. He also holds a B.S. from Towson University (1999), magna cum laude.
Adam serves on several boards, including Betamore (advisory member), the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Maryland Deal of the Year Committee, and the Maryland Bar Association Business Law Section Council. He also spent five years at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.
He frequently lectures on business and legal issues and publishes articles in leading business magazines and publications. He has co-authored two M&A books published by Aspatore, a Thomson Reuters company, and has been recognized by SuperLawyers®, SmartCEO, and Baltimore Magazine as a top business lawyer. Adam was born in Brooklyn, New York, grew up in New Jersey, and has spent his professional career in Maryland, where he lives with his two daughters.
Eli Noff, JD, CPA, is a skilled tax attorney and CPA who focuses his practice on defending clients before the IRS and state taxing authorities. With extensive experience in international tax matters, Eli focuses on issues including compliance, voluntary disclosures, streamlined filing procedures, and penalty abatements.
His practice spans a wide array of services, from assisting clients with IRS examinations and appeals to handling international tax consulting, tax debt resolution, and matters before the United States Tax Court.
Throughout his career, Eli has helped clients manage complex tax debt situations, utilizing solutions such as offers in compromise, installment agreements, and collection alternatives. His goal is to provide personalized solutions based on each client’s unique circumstances, using his deep understanding of tax law to secure the best possible outcomes.
Eli serves clients in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and federal tax clients nationwide.
Resolving IRS tax liabilities can be daunting for individuals and small business owners. This course provides a comprehensive overview of strategies to address complex IRS tax debts. We’ll explore the essentials of verifying liabilities, understanding statutes of limitations, evaluating resolution options such as offers in compromise and payment plans, and leveraging IRS Appeals processes like Collection Due Process (CDP) and Collection Appeal Program (CAP). Leave with the knowledge and tactics needed to guide your clients through these challenging situations and protect them from severe consequences like liens and levies.
Objectives
Upon completion of this session, you will be able to:
As president for Frederick, Maryland’s office of Orases, Nick has the privilege of leading a diverse, smart and talented group of individuals across a variety of disciplines and clients ranging from NFL, MLB, Johns Hopkins University, Hershey and Walter Reed Hospital. A creative problem solver and strategic thinker, Nick has over 20 years of experience in the digital landscape. An active thought leader in the industry, Nick authored and created the Digital Framework, which is an interactive process of working with organizations to align values to their culture, leadership style and strategic thinking. Nick’s enthusiasm for value-driven cultures earned Orases several awards including the Entrepreneur Magazine – 2015 Best Culture accolade.
Nick is also known for creating one of the most disruptive trends in online sheet music by creating the first ever community for learning to play guitar online. His product was covered in the New York Times and earned him a personal meeting with Harry Fox Agency, Sony and BMG.
With a zeal for success Nick has positioned himself as a leader in the Frederick community; serving as past president and treasurer of his church and also participating in several volunteer activities and community programs including the Forbes Tech Council, Rotary, Tech Frederick, Entrepreneurial Council, Vistage, Accelerent, Frederick Innovative Technology Center and the new Tech Incubator program in Downtown Frederick.
Nick holds a B.A. from Frostburg State University and a Master’s in Information Technology from RIT. He holds concentrations in User Interface Design, Software Development and Project Management and was fortunate enough to study under some of the most innovative minds in the industry. He currently resides in a suburb of Frederick, not far from his favorite hiking trail on Sugarloaf Mountain. When Nick isn’t working, playing guitar, fly-fishing or grilling with friends – he can be found spending quality time with his wife, son and daughter.
AI is reshaping the accounting profession, but most initiatives fail before they deliver value. In this session, digital transformation expert Nick Damoulakis explains why 95% of AI and technology projects miss the mark and how to make sure yours succeed. You’ll see how to deploy AI agents as invisible workers to drive efficiency, close the strategy gap, and strengthen compliance. With live demonstrations and a practical implementation framework, you’ll walk away ready to turn disruption into a competitive edge and future-proof your practice.
