National law firm Chamberlain Hrdlicka today announced the promotion of Sebastien Chain, John Hackney and Justin VandenBout to income shareholders.

“We are excited to recognize the dedication, professionalism, legal expertise and exceptional client service of these three attorneys by adding them to our firm’s shareholder roster,” said Wayne Risoli, managing shareholder of Chamberlain Hrdlicka.

Atlanta practice:
John Hackney
Hackney represents clients in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service and other taxing authorities. He has advised clients on a range of tax issues, including Section 469 passive activity losses, gift tax valuation issues, captive insurance, accounting method issues, Section 1031 “like-kind exchanges” and Section 183 hobby losses. He counsels individuals and businesses on tax matters before the IRS, representing taxpayers before all levels of the review process including during audits, the Office of Appeals, the Office of Chief Counsel and at the U.S. Tax Court. 

He has extensive experience in the tax arena that precedes his law practice. He has a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting as well as a master’s degree in accounting with a tax concentration, both from the University of Virginia. Prior to receiving his law degree from the University of Georgia (cum laude), he worked as a CPA for PricewaterhouseCoopers in the tax department, where he focused on compliance work for a large private equity clients and individuals. 

Houston practice:

Sebastien Chain
Chain concentrates his practice on federal, state and local tax controversies, both civil and criminal, representing clients at the examination level, administrative appeals and trial. He has extensive experience advising clients on U.S. reporting requirements associated with owning foreign assets, as well as unreported foreign income. 

He is a frequent lecturer on international compliance requirements associated with owning foreign assets, including FATCA and FIRPTA, routinely speaking for the Texas and Houston Societies of CPAs. Additionally, he is an active member of the Tax Section, American Bar Association. Chain holds a bachelor degree (with honors) in economics from the University of Texas at Austin and a law degree (cum laude) from the University of Houston Law Center. He also obtained an LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center.

Justin VandenBout
VandenBout maintains a general litigation practice with an emphasis on commercial and complex insurance coverage litigation. He has extensive both prosecuting and defending insurance coverage lawsuits, as well as a broad range of cases in state and federal courts involving trademark infringement, breach of contract, products liability, employment law, discrimination, defamation, personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, financial services and real estate. 

VandenBout graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and holds a law degree from the South Texas College of Law. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Houston Bar Association, Houston Young Lawyers Association, Fort Bend County Bar Association, Texas Young Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association.

About Chamberlain Hrdlicka
Chamberlain Hrdlicka is a diversified business law firm with offices in Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia and San Antonio. The firm represents both public and private companies as well as individuals and family-owned businesses across the nation. In addition to tax planning and tax controversy, the firm offers corporate, securities and finance, employment law and employee benefits, energy law, estate planning and administration, intellectual property, international and immigration law, commercial and business litigation, real estate and construction law.