UNM Law School’s Business and Tax Clinic has tapped into the expertise of a high-level tax attorney with 34 years of experience.

Peter Marks, the new Pro Bono Coordinator for the tax component of the Clinic, will provide technical assistance to volunteer attorneys and accountants serving on a brand-new Pro Bono Panel.

The Panel will supplement the efforts of the existing UNM Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (the “LITC”), which handles about 100 cases each year. At present, the LITC, one of only two such clinics operating in the state, can help just a fraction of low-income New Mexico taxpayers who have controversies with the IRS.

Before taking on this volunteer commitment at the School of Law, Marks spent 24 years as Senior Tax Counsel for Shell Oil Company in Houston, where he was primarily responsible for providing tax counsel concerning employee compensation and employee benefit plans.

Most recently, he served as an Attorney Advisor at the National Office of the IRS in Washington, D.C., where he was the principal drafting attorney working on guidance, litigation and appeals issues relating to Employee Stock Ownership Plans.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have Peter as an active participant and resource in this new venture,” said Grace Allison, adjunct professor and Qualified Tax Expert in the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. “The Law School is very fortunate to have a highly-qualified tax practitioner with such a unique blend of tax, business, legal, and managerial experience.”

Attorneys and accountants interested in volunteering for the Panel should contact Peter at 505-277-5265.