Skadden is pleased to announce that David Farhat has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as a partner in the Tax Group. Most recently, Mr. Farhat served as a partner at a global accounting firm focusing on transfer pricing issues, and he has experience in all phases of international tax planning and dispute resolution, including in the context of the IRS’ Advance Pricing and Mutual Agreement (APMA) program. He has advised some of the largest U.S. and international companies in mitigating their most complex multijurisdictional tax issues.
Mr. Farhat worked at the IRS for nearly a decade (2006-15) in increasingly senior positions within its Large Business and International Division, handling transfer pricing issues involving the United States’ most significant treaty partners. He last served as APMA team leader, developing and negotiating bilateral and multilateral advance pricing agreements and mutual agreement procedures, including with the U.K., France, Japan, Canada and Switzerland.
In the private sector, Mr. Farhat assisted clients in resolving contentious and complex transfer pricing disputes in various jurisdictions outside the U.S., including in the U.K., Japan, India, Canada and Australia. Through this work he built deep relationships with tax authorities both in the U.S. and abroad. He also provided international tax advice in treaty processes to resolve double taxation and tax jurisdiction disputes.
“We are thrilled to welcome David to Skadden,” said Raj Madan, leader of Skadden’s Washington, D.C. Tax Group. “His extensive experience in APMA issues will enhance our broader tax planning and controversy offerings, and extend to clients a full range of services to navigate their most challenging tax issues.”
“I am excited to join Skadden’s global Tax Group and increase the depth of its transfer pricing practice,” Mr. Farhat said. “It’s an honor to be joining a distinguished group of attorneys, many of whom have previously served in high-level government positions, to provide a comprehensive approach to each client matter.”
Mr. Farhat received his J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law, his L.L.M. in taxation from Georgetown University and his B.A. from Syracuse University.
The National Law Journal highlighted the firm's addition of Mr. Farhat in an article titled “Skadden's Hire Signals Growing Focus on Tax Area Important to Multinational Companies” (May 17, 2021).