Lisa M. Zarlenga is a partner in the Washington office of Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where she is a member of the firm's Tax group. She practices in the area of federal income taxation, with a focus on corporate transactional and planning matters. Ms. Zarlenga's practice also involves tax controversy matters as well as tax policy matters with respect to proposed tax legislation or Treasury regulations. Ms. Zarlenga is heavily involved in the tax bar, holding leadership positions with both the American Bar Association and the District of Columbia Bar Tax Sections. Ms. Zarlenga was elected to and currently serves as the Vice Chair of the DC Bar Tax Section Steering Committee, which oversees the operation of the entire Tax Section. She has also served as the Chairman of the Corporate Tax Committee of the DC Bar. Ms. Zarlenga is an officer of the ABA Corporate Tax Committee and also serves on the ABA Government Relations Committee and the ABA Professional Services Committee. Ms. Zarlenga has significant experience structuring tax-free and taxable acquisitions and dispositions for both public and private companies, including providing opinion letters and seeking advance rulings from the IRS. She has particular experience in the areas of section 355 spin-offs and the use of disregarded entities in corporate transactions. She is also frequently called upon to assist in restructuring financially troubled businesses and to advise clients with respect to the special rules governing consolidated groups. Ms. Zarlenga's practice also involves advising clients in the context of complex tax controversies, both at the administrative level and in litigation. Ms. Zarlenga has advised clients during the audit process, prepared protests, participated in IRS Appeals conferences, responded to requests for technical advice, and handled matters in US district courts and the Court of Federal Claims. She has assisted in negotiating settlements both at the IRS Appeals level and once the matter has been docketed in court.