Proficient tax lawyers are in demand, and the University of Houston Law Center, based in one of the most vibrant economies and legal practice areas in the U.S., is poised to fill that need.
The tax law program at the Law Center boasts a level of sophistication that has earned it national prominence and stature in the Southwest United States. Our graduate tax program was established in 1983 and is open to both U.S. and foreign-trained attorneys. It continues to focus on helping students identify issues and plan solutions to tax problems and hone the skills needed to assimilate new tax rules into their practice. The program emphasizes professional responsibility and a thorough understanding of the tax system and how it affects individual, nonprofit, commercial and financial affairs. Our program also presents a unique opportunity to students who wish to complement their tax courses with those in other specialty areas such as energy, health, and intellectual property. Specialty programs at UHLC in these areas also enjoy high national profiles and prestige.
Tax law is a moving target, constantly changing and becoming ever more complex as it evolves. Both J.D. students and practitioners looking to enhance their knowledge and skills through the LL.M. program have much to gain from UHLC full-time professors William Streng, Johnny Rex Buckles and Bret Wells, each of whom brings years of academic contributions and high-level practice experience to the classroom. The Law Center also recently added as senior adviser Paul H. Asofsky, a longtime partner and head of the Houston tax group at Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP. In addition, Professor Emeritus Ira B. Shepard, an integral part of the tax program since 1975 who was recently named the Outstanding Texas Tax Lawyer of 2013 by the State Bar, continues to contribute to the life of the tax program. The full-time faculty is bolstered by an outstanding group of adjunct professors from the Houston tax community who are nationally recognized leaders in their fields.
Courses include:
Bankruptcy Taxation
Business Planning
Corporate Taxation
Employee Benefit Plans & Compensation
Estate Planning
Federal Income Tax
Federal Income Taxation of Trusts & Estates
Oil & Gas Tax
Partnership Tax
Post Mortem Estate Planning
Real Estate Tax
State & Local Taxation
Tax Accounting
Tax Ethics
Tax Fraud & Money Laundering
Tax Policy Seminar
Tax Procedure
Tax Research
Taxation of Exempt Organizations
Taxation of Financial Instruments
U.S. International Tax
* Not all classes are offered every year, and offerings are subject to change. Please check the Law Center website for current course offerings. Lawyers who earned their degree outside of the United States are also required to complete Introduction to American Law and Legal Research and Writing. Courses previously taken at other schools – including the Law Center – may not be credited toward the program requirements.
