Holland & Knight announced on May 18 that state and local tax attorneys Sam Megally, Will LeDoux and Cindy Ohlenforst have joined the firm’s Dallas office as part of its Tax, Executive Compensation and Benefits Practice Group. Megally and LeDoux will serve as partners, while Ohlenforst joins as senior counsel. All three attorneys previously worked at K&L Gates.
The addition of these lawyers is intended to strengthen Holland & Knight’s state and local tax (SALT) capabilities in Texas and across the country. Mark Melton, co-chair of the practice group, said, “Sam, Will and Cindy bring deep state and local tax capabilities that will meaningfully strengthen our tax platform and enhance our ability to serve clients across the country. Their combined experience in multistate tax planning, controversy, transactional support and government relations, along with their strong reputations in the national SALT community, help solidify the Firm’s reputation as the top destination for high-end tax work in Texas and beyond.”
Megally said he looks forward to collaborating with his new colleagues: “Holland & Knight has built an incredibly broad tax practice full of talented attorneys across the U.S. and is well-known for handling some of the most high-profile tax controversy matters nationally. With this move, we hope to enhance our own opportunities to deliver SALT services alongside a supportive network of colleagues across multiple practice areas and offices nationwide.”
Megally’s work focuses on both Texas-specific issues as well as multistate matters related to income tax, sales tax, franchise tax and property taxes. He also advises clients on mergers and acquisitions involving SALT planning.
LeDoux’s practice includes advising clients from various industries such as e-commerce retailers, renewable energy companies, healthcare organizations and technology firms on state incentives for projects like data centers or renewable energy installations.
Ohlenforst brings experience in litigation involving state taxes around the country along with legislative drafting expertise related to provisions within the Texas Tax Code.
The firm expects that these additions will broaden its reach within complex taxation issues affecting businesses operating in Texas or facing multi-jurisdictional challenges.
