Saving Money Far From ‘Boring'—Abbey Garber of Holland & Knight

What is the most common misperception about the tax profession, and how are you working to change it?

There are many misperceptions about being a tax attorney, such as that you have to be good with numbers or you get really busy before April 15. I love numbers, but I know many successful tax attorneys who don’t. I am busy in early April but only because I am juggling the end of March Madness® with the start of baseball season.

The biggest misperception about the tax profession, however, is that it is boring. Ha! As I tell law students, tax work can be fascinating. For one thing, you are dealing with money—everyone’s favorite subject. For another, it involves one or more national, state, or local governments, many people’s foes of choice. Some complain that tax codes are too complex. While they are right, tax lawyers see the laws and regulations as puzzles to be solved.

I love to compete, and tax is one way I help my clients win—playing within the rules, of course. Wining a Tax Court case may not be the same as sinking a buzzer-beater or hitting a walk-off homer, but it is far from boring!

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., the publisher of Bloomberg Law and Bloomberg Tax, or its owners.

Author Information

Abbey Garber is a tax controversy partner with Holland & Knight in Dallas. Prior to joining private practice, he served as an attorney, manager, and executive with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel for over 30 years.