People in Tax Podcast

The People in Tax Podcast features interviews exploring the stories and careers of ABA Tax Section members, government officials, and others who influence, work in, or study tax law and policy. Our goal is to build community and encourage the participation of individuals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives in the tax law profession.

Interview with Ken Wang 09/14/2026

Interview with Ken Wang Host Crist Malekyan and Ken Wang discuss Ken's career path in tax, including his moves between private practice and in-house roles in the energy and technology sectors. He emphasizes the value of mentorship, maintaining work-life balance, and gaining an in-house perspective, while also discussing how AI may make tax work more efficient but could change how junior attorneys develop expertise. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/42901490

Interview with Larry Campagna 09/08/2026

Interview with Larry Campagna Larry Campagna reflects on his early career path, starting with a summer job in a small law firm's mailroom that taught him the ins and outs of Houston's legal community. He shares his views on the current state of criminal tax enforcement, and touches on emerging trends in tax controversy and sentencing guidelines. He closes with the case he's proudest of, Johnson v. Sawyer, a fifteen-year fight over an unlawful IRS press release that changed how the agency handles disclosures in criminal cases. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/42828675

Interview with Lisa Sperow 08/31/2026

Interview with Lisa Sperow Lisa Sperow discusses her path from a reluctant tax lawyer to president of a college of law, tracing her journey through a clerkship, DOJ Civil Division litigation, and fourteen years directing a low-income taxpayer clinic. She reflects on the human stories behind tax cases, mentoring students through their first client interactions, expanding access to legal education for working adults, and her leadership within the ABA Tax Section's Pro Bono and Tax Clinics Committee. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/42621200

Interview with Brandon King 08/24/2026

Interview with Brandon King Brandon King discusses his path from a reluctant 1L to a nationally recognized renewable energy tax attorney, tracing his journey through a US Tax Court clerkship, cross-border controversy work, and a pivot to transactional practice during the Inflation Reduction Act. He reflects on the mission-driven nature of renewable energy tax work, the industry's resilience amid policy shifts, AI as a complement rather than a replacement for junior talent, and his decade of leadership within the ABA Tax Section, including founding the LGBTQ+ Lawyers in Tax Forum. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/42516265

Interview with Chuck Levun 08/13/2026

Interview with Chuck Levun Chuck Levin discusses his journey from aspiring lawyer and CPA to a nationally recognized tax attorney, educator, and co-creator of the Tax Planning Forum. He emphasizes making complex tax concepts practical and engaging, mentoring younger professionals, building strong relationships, and using AI as a helpful starting point rather than a replacement for professional judgment. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/42429180

Interview with Matthew Rappaport 08/07/2026

Interview with Matthew Rappaport Matthew Rappaport discusses his career as a tax attorney focused on real estate, emphasizing the value of being a versatile practitioner who combines deep technical tax knowledge with practical business judgment. He also shares lessons from building his own law firm, stressing that successful tax lawyers should think like entrepreneurs, communicate complex issues in plain language, and help clients understand and weigh risk rather than simply avoid it. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/42360950

Interview with Andrew Rubin 08/03/2026

Interview with Andrew Rubin In this episode, host Crist and Andrew discuss staying curious, SALT, and getting involved in the Tax Section. From renewable energy to tribal clinics, to affordable housing, examine Andrew’s extensive background and passion for tax. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/42280665

Bonus Episode: Professor Jeremy Bearer-Friend 07/30/2026

Bonus Episode: Professor Jeremy Bearer-Friend In this episode, host Dan Keller and Professor Jeremy Bearer-Friend discuss the role of AI in tax and IP, tax rates, becoming a tax professor, wealth inequity, and living on a cattle ranch and alfalfa farm. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/42264890

Interview with Melissa Wiley 07/27/2026

Interview with Melissa Wiley In Season 7, Episode 3, hear from the Tax Section’s Membership, Diversity, & Inclusion Chair extraordinaire, Melissa Wiley. From her roots in actuarial science to ‘growing up’ in the Section, experience Melissa’s journey through tax and the ABA. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/42226215

Get To Know The Hosts: Part II 07/20/2026

Get To Know The Hosts: Part II We're back for a new season of People in Tax! Get to know three of our new interview hosts, Bela Unell, Priscilla Parrett, and Dan Keller. Meet the second half of our hosts, hear about their tax journeys, what they love about tax, and their thoughts on AI. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/42156555

Relaunch: Get To Know The Hosts, Part I 07/10/2026

Relaunch: Get To Know The Hosts, Part I We're back for a new season of People in Tax! Get to know three of our new interview hosts, Alexander Powell, Crist Malekyan, and Michael Romero in the first episode. Hear their career journeys, what the ABA Tax Section has meant to them, and some of their hopes for the upcoming season. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/42024835

S06E013: Scott Levine - Part 2 05/01/2025

S06E013: Scott Levine - Part 2 In S06E13, Bela Unell and Scott Levine continue their discussion of his time at the IRS, the relationship between the government and the Tax Section, and the role of diversity in tax practice. (Part 2 of 2). /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/36376535

S06E012: Scott Levine - Part 1 04/17/2025

S06E012: Scott Levine - Part 1 In S06E12, Bela Unell and Scott Levine discuss his varied career, including his teaching career and work at the Treasury Department. (Part 1 of 2). /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/36188545

S06E011: Devon Bodoh 03/27/2025

S06E011: Devon Bodoh In S06E11, Bela Unell and Devon Bodoh discuss his road to tax, and his experience in the occasionally chaotic world of international tax practice. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/35874510

S06E010: Roberta Mann - Part 2 03/06/2025

S06E010: Roberta Mann - Part 2 In S06E10, Bela Unell and Professor Roberta Mann discuss getting jobs in tax, her work with the ABA Tax Section Publications, and how she got started with the Tax Section. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/35546985

S06E09: Roberta Mann - Part 1 02/20/2025

S06E09: Roberta Mann - Part 1 In S06E09, Bela Unell and Professor Roberta Mann discuss her early career at IRS Chief Counsel, how her experience on Capitol Hill shaped how she views law today, and her approach to teaching tax. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/35354715

S06E08: Mohit Mookim 02/06/2025

S06E08: Mohit Mookim In S06E08, Bela Unell and Christine A. Brunswick Public Service Fellow Mohit Mookim discuss working with non-traditional organizations, the origin and work of the Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC), and changing what movement organizations look like. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/35163780

S06E07: Fatima Garcia - Part 3 01/23/2025

S06E07: Fatima Garcia - Part 3 In S06E07, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Fatima Garcia discuss constructive criticism, advocating for each other at the office, and making tax less scary for the average person. (Part 3 of 3). /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/34960970

S06E06: Fatima Garcia - Part 2 01/09/2025

S06E06: Fatima Garcia - Part 2 In S06E06, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Fatima Garcia discuss the role mentorship has played in her career, finding her voice as a practicing attorney, and the responsibility she feels as a Latina in the legal field. (Part 2 of 3). /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/34776525

S06E05: Fatima Garcia - Part 1 12/26/2024

S06E05: Fatima Garcia - Part 1 In S06E05, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Fatima Garcia discuss her unexpected road to tax practice, the importance of representation in the legal field, and the scholarship she founded for her alma mater. (Part 1 of 2). /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/34553170

S06E04: Hannah Stephan 12/12/2024

S06E04: Hannah Stephan In S06E04, Bela Unell and Christine A. Brunswick Public Service Fellow Hannah Stephan discuss her background in Finance, her work with Minnesota Legal Aid, and her close ties to her home state. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/34415125

S06E03: Jorge Obén - Part 2 11/28/2024

S06E03: Jorge Obén - Part 2 In S06E03, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Jorge Oben discuss his work on the Ways and Means Committee, how his background influences his work experiences, and how he keeps himself moving forward in a challenging world. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/34146025

S06E02: Jorge Obén 11/14/2024

S06E02: Jorge Obén In S06E02, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Jorge Obén discuss the uniqueness of tax practice in the US, the pitfalls of international tax, and his experience working with the Ways and Means Committee. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/33932127

S06E01: Jessica Harris 10/31/2024

S06E01: Jessica Harris In S06E01, Bela Unell and Professor and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Jessica Harris discuss her road to tax practice, working in Low-Income Tax Clinics, and improving inclusivity in the tax sphere. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/33707352

S05E15: Shailana Dunn-Wall Part 2 08/03/2023

S05E15: Shailana Dunn-Wall Part 2 In S05E15, William Schmidt and former Christine Brunswick Fellow Shailana Dunn-Wall discuss community education regarding tax, the specifics of LITC works, and the benefits of Tax Section meetings. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/27648750

S05E14: Shailana Dunn-Wall 07/20/2023

S05E14: Shailana Dunn-Wall In S05E14, William Schmidt and former Christine Brunswick Fellow Shailana Dunn-Wall discuss non-profit tax practice, the challenges facing low-income taxpayers, and the benefits of the Christine Brunswick Fellowship. Part 1 of 2. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/27520335

S05E13: Chardea Murray - Part 2 07/06/2023

S05E13: Chardea Murray - Part 2 In S05E13, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Chardea Murray discuss her mentors, her goals for the Fellowship, and the importance of DEI and outreach. Part 2 of 2. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/27388953

S05E12: Chardea Murray 06/22/2023

S05E12: Chardea Murray In S05E12, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Chardea Murray discuss her path to law and tax, getting involved in Pro Bono and LITC work, and her early career at the IRS. Part 1 of 2. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/27235908

S05E11: Jamal Aquil 04/06/2023

S05E11: Jamal Aquil In S05E11, Gina Ahn and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow Jamal Aquil discuss the specifics of the Argrett Fellowship, his path to tax practice, the challenges and obstacles he encountered along the way, and the role of the KPMG Washington National Tax Office in DC. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/26467467

S05E10: Alice Thomas - Part 3 03/23/2023

S05E10: Alice Thomas - Part 3 In S05E10, Bela Unell and Loretta Collins Argrett Fellow, Alice Thomas, discuss giving back to the community, her approach to preparing law students for practice, and the Loretta Collins Argrett Fellowship. Part 3 of 3. /episode/index/show/peopleintaxpodcasts/id/26317995

People in Tax Podcast

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