Robert E. McKenzie

Robert E McKenzie is a partner in the Chicago office of Arnstein & Lehr LLP, concentrating his practice in representation before the Internal Revenue Service and state agencies. He has lectured extensively on the subject of taxation. He has presented courses before thousands of CPA’s, attorneys and enrolled agents nationwide. He has made numerous media appearances, including Dateline NBC and The ABC Nightly News. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. McKenzie was employed by the Internal Revenue Service, Collection Division, in Chicago, Illinois. Since entering private practice, he has dedicated a major portion of his time to representation before the IRS. From 2009 to 2011, Mr. McKenzie was a member of the IRS Advisory Council, which advises IRS management. He has been selected as a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel and serves as its Vice President. He was council director of the ABA Tax Section (1998-2001). He was vice chair of the ABA Tax Section (2003-2005). Mr. McKenzie is past chairman of the Employment Tax Committee, past co-chair of the Task Force for Bankruptcy Legislation of the ABA Section on Taxation, and past chairman of the Chicago Bar Association Federal Tax Committee. He was Dean of the National Tax Practice Institute (1998-2002). Additional information can be found on Mr. McKenzie’s website, mckenzielaw.com, where he also keeps an active tax blog.

Achievements

Mr. McKenzie is an AV-rated attorney listed by Martindale-Hubbell. He is noted as one of The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers as well as listed as a “Leading Illinois Attorney” since 1995. Mr. McKenzie has been selected as a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel (2001-present) and serves as its Vice President. He is also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (2001-present). He was a member of the American Bar Association, Tax Section, Council Director (1998-2001). He was co-chair of the Task Force for Bankruptcy Legislation (1997-1998) and served as vice chair of the ABA Tax Section (2003-2005). He also served as chairman for the Employment Taxes Committee (1992-1994). Mr. McKenzie is a member of Executive Committee Chicago Bar Association, Tax Committee (1992-present) and served as chairman (1996-1997). He served as the National Tax Practice Institute dean (1998-2002). He is a life member of the American Tax Policy Institute. Mr. McKenzie was also a member of the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council from 2009 to 2011.

Recent Publications

Mr. McKenzie is the author of “Representation Before the Collection Division of the IRS” and coauthor of “Representing the Audited Taxpayer Before the IRS, and Representation Before the U.S. Tax Court.” He has been selected for listing by Law and Leading Attorneys where he serves on its advisory board. He speaks on a regular basis. In the last year, he has spoken for the National Association of Enrolled Agents and the American Institute of CPA’s.

Mr. McKenzie is a noted authority and media source on IRS and tax-related issues, and he continues to be featured in national and international news stories. This includes his analysis, which appeared in various publications, regarding the IRS’ efforts to uncover the identities of U.S. citizens with accounts in banks offshore.

Education

• Chicago Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology (J.D., High Honors)
  • West Hornbook Award (number one student in class during 1977)
  • Silas Strawn Scholarship
• Michigan State University (B.A., Business)

Bar Admissions

• State of Illinois 
• Supreme Court of Illinois 
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 
• Trial Bar of United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois 
• United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit 
• United States Tax Court 
• United States Court of Claims