State & Local

State And Local Tax Takeaways From August

Maria Koklanaris
Senior Tax Correspondent

From the Fourth Circuit ruling that a provision in Maryland's digital advertising tax is unconstitutional to new combined reporting rules coming for the District of Columbia, August didn't slow down in the state and local tax arena. Here, Law360 looks at these and other state and local tax highlights from the past month.

The Tax Angle: Tariff Troubles, Tipped Income

Stephen K. Cooper
Editor-at-Large

From a look at the impact of rising tariffs on energy tax credits and issues arising from the deduction for taxes on tips, here's a peek into a reporter's notebook on a few developing tax stories.

State Tax Agencies Hiring IRS Departures To Boost Ranks

Paul Williams
Tax Correspondent

More than 20 state revenue departments have hired former IRS employees this year amid a 25% reduction in the federal agency's staff, a development that tax practitioners say could improve states' communication with taxpayers and may prompt auditors to probe federal information on state returns.

Trump Tax Law's Most Impactful Energy Changes

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act's deferral of begin-construction deadlines and the phaseout of certain energy tax credits will provide emerging technologies with welcome breathing room, though other changes, like the increased credit rate for sustainable aviation fuel, create challenges for developers, say attorneys at Weil.

Adapting To Private Practice: From Texas AUSA To BigLaw

As I learned when I transitioned from an assistant U.S. attorney to a BigLaw partner, the move from government to private practice is not without its hurdles, but it offers immense potential for growth and the opportunity to use highly transferable skills developed in public service, says Jeffery Vaden at Bracewell.

Advice For 1st-Gen Lawyers Entering The Legal Profession

Nikki Hurtado at The Ferraro Law Firm tells her story of being a first-generation lawyer and how others who begin their professional journeys without the benefit of playbooks handed down by relatives can turn this disadvantage into their greatest strength.

Thank Goodness For The First Amendment: SALT In Review

From an important court ruling against Maryland's digital tax to petitions proposing tax cuts and limits in Massachusetts, RSM's David Brunori offers his thoughts on noteworthy state and local tax news.

Trump Tax Law's Most Impactful Corp. And Individual Changes

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act built on and reshaped elements of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including business interest deductions, bonus depreciation and personal income relief, delivering substantial changes to both corporate and individual tax policy, say attorneys at Weil.

From Clerkship To Law Firm: 5 Transition Tips For Associates

Excerpt from Practical Guidance

Transitioning from a judicial clerkship to an associate position at a law firm may seem daunting, but by using knowledge gained while clerking, being mindful of key differences and taking advantage of professional development opportunities, these attorneys can flourish in private practice, say attorneys at Lowenstein Sandler.

Trump Tax Law's Most Consequential International Changes

The international tax provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act may result in higher effective tax rates for some multinational corporations, but others, particularly those operating in low-tax jurisdictions, may benefit from alignment with global anti-profit shifting efforts, say attorneys at Weil.

Associates Can Earn Credibility By Investing In Relationships

As the class of 2025 prepares to join law firms this fall, new associates must adapt to office dynamics and establish credible reputations — which require quiet, consistent relationship-building skills as much as legal acumen, says Kyle Forges at Bast Amron.

Lessons From 7th Circ.'s Deleted Chat Sanctions Ruling

The Seventh Circuit’s recent decision in Pable v. Chicago Transit Authority, affirming the dismissal of an ex-employee’s retaliation claims, highlights the importance of properly handling the preservation of ephemeral messages and clarifies key sanctions issues, says Philip Favro at Favro Law.

NY Tax Talk: ALJ Vacancy, Online Sales, Budget

Among the most notable developments in New York tax law last quarter, an administrative law judge vacancy continued affecting taxpayers, a state court decision tested the scope of the Interstate Income Act, and Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the 2025-2026 fiscal budget containing key tax-related provisions, say attorneys at Eversheds Sutherland.

What 2 Profs Noticed As Transactional Law Students Used AI

After a semester using generative artificial intelligence tools with students in an entrepreneurship law clinic, we came away with numerous observations about the opportunities and challenges such tools present to new transactional lawyers, say professors at Cornell Law School.

BigLaw Settlements Should Not Spur Ethics Deregulation

A recent Law360 op-ed argued that loosening law firm funding restrictions would make BigLaw firms less inclined to settle with the Trump administration, but deregulating legal financing ethics may well prove to be not merely ineffective, but counterproductive, says Laurel Kilgour at the American Economic Liberties Project.

Other People's Money: SALT In Review

From a proposed tax increase on higher incomes in Michigan to a move toward repealing Oregon's estate tax, RSM's David Brunori offers his thoughts on noteworthy state and local tax news.