Blake Birch Email & Phone Number

 Track and influence the development of rules and regulations facing the energy industry at a State and Federal level by leading Nordic's participation in the Retail Energy Supply Association (RESA), a national trade group, and participating in legislative and regulatory stakeholder meetings. Monitor, investigate, and resolve regulatory issues. Assist outside counsel with the representation of Nordic Energy.

 Advised clients with regard to business sales and purchases, formation of businesses, negotiating real estate contracts, tax implications of certain business and real estate transactions, procurement of engineering services using government grants, and estate planning Researched the Illinois and Federal laws and regulations governing transmission lines, pipelines, subsurface storage of CO2, hearings in front of the Illinois Commerce Commission, the Affordable Care Act, taxation of IRAs and SEP-IRAs, Social Security Disability, UCC security interests and liens, and the exportation of domestic goods Drafted contracts and agreements for individuals and different forms of businesses, including Indemnity, Conversion, Buy-Sell, Confidentiality, Non-Compete and Escrow Agreements, Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Amendment, Unanimous Consent, Assignments of Intangibles, Bills of Sale, and Amendments to existing contracts

Greater Chicago Area

 Performed research on new developments in the field of Corporate Governance. Drafted potential sections for the new supplement for "Representing Corporate Officers, Directors, Managers, and Trustees."

Chicago

 Researched complex corporate tax issues including the characterization of related-party loans as debt or equity, the characterization of expenses incident to a corporate reorganization, whether the IRS can recalculate taxable income in closed tax years for purposes of determining net operating loss carryovers, analysis of the benefits and burdens of ownership for the purposes of an IRC § 199 deduction, and what is considered a reasonable basis for a position taken in a period between a repealed proposed Treasury Regulation and the issuance of a final Treasury Regulation. Combined my research with an evaluation and analysis of the written opinions of the IRS Examination Division and the taxpayers’ positions to come to settlements on complex corporate tax issues. Wrote memoranda on my recommendations for the settlement of complex corporate tax issues between taxpayers and the IRS. Attended opening conference hearings in which the taxpayers’ representatives and the IRS presented their arguments on complex corporate and personal tax issues.

Greater Chicago Area

 Performed legal research and analysis of Federal income tax issues. Interviewed and counseled my own group of clients in need of representation for Federal income tax issues. Negotiated settlements with revenue agents, appeals officers, and attorneys for the IRS.

Greater Chicago Area

 Drafted complaints, answers, replies, notices of motion, judgments, and marital settlement agreements. Performed legal research and analysis, primarily on contract and family law issues.

Llm, Tax Law

J.D., Certificate In Tax Law

Activities and Societies: Business Law Society, Federal Tax Clinic, Tax Certificate Program

Education record

Education record