TAXLITIGATOR – Tax Controversy (Civil & Criminal) Report

Once again, HOCHMAN SALKIN TOSCHER PEREZ P.C., along with Steven Toscher and Sandra R. Brown, have been recognized by Chambers and Partners, 2025 USA, for strength and expertise in the areas of Tax Fraud and Tax Controversy. 

Chambers notes HOCHMAN SALKIN TOSCHER PEREZ P.C. is “a respected tax boutique noted for its handling of contentious tax matters. It has a hugely impressive track record in tax controversy, alongside criminal and civil litigation at both state and federal level and is a respected Beverly Hills tax boutique with recognized controversy expertise at both state and federal level.”

Steven Toscher is recognized as “a well-regarded tax practitioner who advises clients on sensitive issues, including criminal tax fraud investigations.”  Sandra R. Brown “maintains a highly respected practice concentrated on the representation of clients in criminal tax investigations and civil tax controversies.”

We are also pleased to announce that Chambers High Net Worth – noting our firm’s “bench offers deep governmental experience and additional strength in criminal tax disputes – has also ranked Steven Toscher, Dennis Perez and Sandra R. Brown in the area of Tax: Private Client. 

Chambers is the world’s leading legal rankings and insights intelligence company. For over 30 years, Chambers has differentiated the very best legal talent by identifying and ranking law firm departments and lawyers globally.

We are honored by the recognition awarded by Chambers and grateful to our clients who continue to trust us with their criminal and civil tax matters. These outstanding achievements are a true testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire team of tax professionals at HOCHMAN SALKIN TOSCHER PEREZ P.C. Our firm looks forward to continuing to provide best in class service to our clients.

Steven Toscher

Steven Toscher is the Managing Principal of the law firm, and specializes in civil and criminal tax controversy and litigation. Mr. Toscher is a Certified Tax Specialist in Taxation, the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel and has received an “AV” rating from Martindale Hubbell. Mr. Toscher serves as Co-Chair of the UCLA Tax Controversy Institute and Co-Chair of the ABA Criminal Tax Fraud and Tax Controversy Conference.  Mr. Toscher is a frequent lecturer and author on tax controversy and litigation topics and is a co-author of the BNA Portfolio, Tax Crimes. Mr. Toscher was the 2018 recipient of the Joanne M. Garvey Award, given annually to recognize lifetime achievement and outstanding contributions to the field of tax law by a senior member of the California tax bar. Mr. Toscher is also the recipient the USD School of Law Richard Carpenter Excellence in Tax Award. In 2024 Mr. Toscher was the  recipient of the prestigious Jules Ritholz Memorial Merit Award presented by the Civil and Criminal Tax Penalties Committee of the Taxation Section of the American Bar Association, recognizing tax lawyers who have demonstrated outstanding dedication, achievement and integrity in the field of civil and criminal tax controversies. For more information, please contact Steven Toscher at toscher@taxlitigator.com.

Dennis Perez

Dennis Perez was formerly a senior trial attorney with District Counsel, Internal Revenue Service, in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Perez is a Certified Tax Specialist, California State Bar Board of Certification and is also a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel. He frequently lectures on advanced civil and criminal tax topics at seminars and before national, state and local bar associations and accountancy groups. Mr. Perez is a co-author of the BNA Portfolio, Tax Crimes, served as the Chair of the Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine Editorial Board and is the first recipient of the Los Angeles Lawyer Sam Lipsman Service Award for outstanding service to the Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine. He is past Chair of the Tax Procedure and Litigation Committees of the Taxation Sections of the State Bar of California and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. Mr. Perez is past President of the Alumni Board for the UCLA School of Law and has served as an Adjunct Professor, Golden Gate University, Graduate School of Taxation. For more information, please contact Dennis Perez at perez@taxlitigator.com

Sandra R. Brown

Sandra R. Brown specializes in criminal tax investigations, grand jury matters, litigation and appeals, as well as representing and advising taxpayers involved in complex and sophisticated civil tax controversies, including sensitive-issue audits and administrative appeals, as well as civil litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Brown served as the Acting United States Attorney, First Assistant United States Attorney; and Chief of the Tax Division in the Office of the U.S. Attorney, Central District of California. During her 27 years as a trial lawyer, she personally handled over 2,000 tax cases on behalf of the United States, including nationally significant civil tax cases such as two Supreme Court decisions and a multitude of published 9^th Circuit decisions, as well as a broad range of equally noteworthy criminal tax cases. Ms. Brown obtained her LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Denver, is a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, Vice-Chair of the ABA’s Section of Taxation’s Criminal and Civil Tax Penalties Committee, Co-Chair of the UCLA Tax Controversy Institute, Co-Chair of the ABA Criminal Tax Fraud and Tax Controversy Conference, an ABA Loretta Collins Argrett Fellowship Mentor, and is a frequent lecturer and author on tax controversy topics, including international compliance matters. Ms. Brown has been recognized as one of California’s top 100 leading women lawyers and most recently, the recipient of USD School of Law’s Richard Carpenter Excellence in Tax Award and honored at the California Lawyers Association Tax Bar and Tax Policy 2024 Toast to Women in Tax.  For more information, please contact Sandra Brown at brown@taxlitigator.com.