Tax Reform: The Insiders’ View

About the Speakers

Russ Sullivan is the chair of Brownstein’s National Tax Policy Group, a veteran of Capitol Hill who served for nearly a decade as Senate Finance Committee staff director, and a creative strategist who finds legislative and regulatory solutions that save clients’ money.

Russ is one of the top tax attorneys and advocates in the country. When companies face risks in Washington, D.C., they turn to Russ to develop creative solutions that save their industry. For Fortune 50 companies, startups, and national trade associations alike, Russ translates federal policy and the U.S. tax code for clients’ boards and members and identifies untapped opportunities. He provides clients with clarity when they need it most, offers critical information for developing smart business strategies, and engages the Treasury Department and tax-writing committees on Capitol Hill to advance clients’ domestic and international tax priorities.

In addition to advocating on tax policy, Russ represents clients’ interests on health care, pension planning, trade, energy, financial services, and economic development policies. He worked firsthand on many of these issues during his 14 years of service on the Senate Finance Committee. During his time in Congress, Russ saw some of the most important issues within the business community come before the committee and helped draft landmark legislation such as the 2001 tax legislation, the 2005 and 2007 Energy Policy Acts, and the Affordable Care Act. Russ leverages these expertises to provide clients with contextual insight into current tax and health care policy debates.

Russ is passionate about fostering at-risk youth. He has served as legal guardian for 22 teenagers, and has continually fought for an increase in the adoption tax credit. He proudly serves on the board of directors for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.

Harold Hancock is fluent in the language of tax legislators and regulators, a trusted counsel to companies navigating legal implications of U.S. policy, and has served under three different House Ways and Means Committee chairs.

Harold offers technical tax advice for planning transactions and investments, and he resolves complex policy and regulatory issues by engaging key officials in Congress, the Treasury Department, and the White House. As former counsel to three House Ways and Means Committee chairs, including incumbent Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-TX), Harold identifies and secures vital tax credits, deductions, and exemptions for domestic and international corporations.

With a deep understanding of the U.S. tax code, Harold’s value lies in his ability to develop creative and credible policy solutions that address his clients’ needs. He then distills those proposals into messaging policymakers and regulators find compelling while also leveraging his personal relationships across Washington, D.C. to reach key decision-makers. Whether Harold is advocating for a tax policy before members on the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee or meeting with an Internal Revenue Service regulator as guidance is being drafted, he bolsters clients’ credibility by presenting thoughtful recommendations to government officials. Harold can be found on the frontlines of fluid policy conversations representing clients that range in size and sector. He is an invaluable advocate for small businesses navigating the Paycheck Protection Program and is actively engaging tax-writers in Congress and the administration as renewable energy incentives are determined.

Chicago Chapter Planned Giving Committee
Co-Chairs: Kenneth M. Bloom and Lindsey Paige Markus
Alan S. Alport, Brian Carter, Avi Davidoff, Charles E. Dobrusin, Galia Felemovicius, Steven A. Felsenthal, Mark Gaines, David A. Handler, Frank Hirsch, Gary E. Hirschberg, Andrew S. Jacobs, Martin J. Kanter, Kenneth F. Lorch, Judith H. Meguire, Michael Patterson, Marc Pershan, Michael S. Pinsky, Julie S. Pleshivoy, David M. Rappaport, Lawrence I. Richman, Robert A. Romanoff, Joel S. Rothman, Edwin B. Ruthman, Joel W. Schwartz, Michael R. Shelist, Stacy E. Singer, Richard A. Sugar, Fredrick B. Weber, Mark R. Winick

American Technion Society – Chicago
President: Michael Pierce
Chairman: David M. Rappaport
Director of Leadership Giving and Sr. Advisor, Technion Centennial Campaign: Joy P. Leff