Tonkon Torp attorneys Gwen Griffith and Kalia Walker recently hosted a presentation, “Taxing Thoughts for Business Litigators,” for the OSB Business Litigation Section. The program was designed to help business litigators navigate common tax questions and consequences that apply in crafting settlement agreements.
Gwen and Kalia used a variety of case scenarios to explore such concepts as how to characterize income, the ins and outs of claiming deductions, and who is required to report settlement income to the IRS. They also touched on IRC 104 exclusions related to physical injury awards, and other potential exclusions, as well as the principles that govern deductibility to a payor.
Gwen is Chair of Tonkon Torp’s Tax & Employee Benefits Practice Group. Her practice includes advice to individuals, businesses, nonprofit entities, and local governments on federal and state tax issues. Gwen is experienced in corporate, partnership, and individual taxation matters, as well as international tax. She is the author of several books on taxation and family wealth transfer and a sought-after speaker at conferences. She serves as a member of the City of Portland Business License Appeals Board.
Kalia is an associate in Tonkon Torp’s Litigation Department where she focuses her practice on helping private and public entities successfully navigate disputes in state and federal courts. Kalia has substantial experience defending businesses in connection with administrative charges filed with the Bureau of Labor and Industries and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and has handled a broad range of employment matters including discrimination and harassment claims and wage and hour violations.
