Brian Bernhardt focuses his practice on IRS tax controversies, tax litigation against the IRS and the Department of Justice, and advising nonprofit organizations on tax and governance matters. With over 20 years of experience, he is an invaluable resource for any business, non-profit organization, or individual in need of tax or governance advice.
Brian represents clients before the IRS on audits, administrative appeals, penalty abatements, and other administrative matters; before the Department of Justice Tax Division on refund claims, criminal investigations, and other legal proceedings; and in tax litigation in the United States Tax Court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, and the United States District Courts.
Brian also represents charitable organizations and other tax-exempt and nonprofit organizations on a variety of governance and tax matters such as entity formation, obtaining and maintaining tax exemptions, reclassifications, private inurement issues, intermediate sanctions, unrelated business income tax, tax reporting and disclosures, self-dealing, and related governance matters.
Brian also has experience as a creditors’ rights attorney, where he has represented creditors throughout North Carolina in all types of consumer and commercial collection matters.
Previously, Brian was a partner at Milazzo Webb Law in Charlotte, a shareholder at Bernhardt and Strawser in Charlotte, and a partner at McGuireWoods in Richmond, Virginia. He has also practiced with Raymond & Prokop in Southfield, Michigan, as a trial attorney with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel in its Detroit District Counsel Office, and with Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan (now Eversheds Sutherland) in Atlanta, Georgia.
Brian has been named as a North Carolina Rising Star Super Lawyer, a Virginia Rising Star Super Lawyer, and received an Excellence in Writing Award from the ABA Probate and Property Magazine, and is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating given by Martindale-Hubbell.
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, Juris Doctor
- Honors Graduate
- University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform, Managing Articles Editor
- Brown University B.A., History
Professional and Volunteer Organizations
- Mecklenburg County Bar Tax Section, Vice Chair
- Sandra and Leon Levine Jewish Community Center, Board of Directors
Licensure
- North Carolina State Bar
Contact
[p+f] 704.833.8181
[e] brian.bernhardt@forrestfirm.com
