F David J R Lake

David Lake is a senior counsel in the Tax Practice Group, where his practice focuses on tax controversy matters, both civil and criminal, including administrative resolution of IRS disputes at the IRS Exam and Appeals level. He joined the firm in 1967. Mr. Lake, the former head of the Tax Department, retired after more than 25 years as a partner on December 31, 2003. However, he continues an active practice as counsel to WilmerHale. In his tax controversy practice, Mr. Lake has represented clients in a variety of industries, including the newspaper, baking, entertainment and airline industries. Mr. Lake has also represented clients in a variety of fields on issues relating to the classification of workers as employees or independent contractors. Mr. Lake recently represented a major media company in confirming IRS Appeals that thousands of workers should not be reclassified from independent contractor to employee status. Mr. Lake served as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the US Department of the Treasury (1969 to 1971). He was an Adjunct Professor of Taxation at the Georgetown Law School and is a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel. He is a past co-chair of the DC Bar Section of Taxation.