Tax Law
Tax lawyers represent clients in tax planning, tax compliance, and tax controversy matters. SMU has a rich curriculum of tax courses, due in part to the fact that SMU offers the LL.M. (Taxation) degree, and J.D. students generally may enroll in any of the tax offerings. If you are interested in taxation, you should take the Income Taxation course early in your law school curriculum, as the Income Taxation course is a prerequisite to many other tax courses.
NEW OPPORTUNITY! Students can earn both a J.D. and LL.M. (in Taxation) in only seven semesters of full-time study.
This dual degree program does not change the requirements for either degree, but it does allow students to count a limited number of classes toward satisfying both degrees. Learn more
Foundation Courses – Introducing the Basic Concepts
- Income Taxation
- Corporate Taxation
- Estate, Gift & Income Tax
Advanced Taxation Courses
- Tax Accounting
- Taxation of Property Dispositions
- Tax Practice & Professional Responsibility
- State and Local Taxation
- Federal Tax Procedure
- Criminal Tax Fraud
- Oil & Gas Taxation
Advanced Business Entity Taxation Courses
- Advanced Corporate Taxation
- Partnership Taxation
- Corporate Planning
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Taxation of Professional and Closely Held Corporations
- Private Equity & Hedge Fund Law
Advanced International Tax Courses
- International Tax I
- International Tax II
Employee Benefits Courses
- Employee Benefits Law & ERISA Litigation
- Taxation of Deferred Compensation
Advanced Transfer Taxation Courses
- Trusts & Estates (the foundation)
- Estate Planning & Practice
Policy Courses
- Taxation and Fiscal Policy
- Economic Analysis of Law
Clinics
- Federal Taxpayers Clinic
- Small Business Clinic
Related Courses
In considering issues of taxation, it is also important to understand the legal nature of the entities involved. Students interested in taxation should therefore also consider courses related to some of those entities or types of property.
Business Entities
- Business Enterprise
- Corporate Finance & Acquisitions
Commercial Law
- Sales
- Payment Systems
- Secured Transactions
Securities Law
- Securities Regulation
- Securities Litigation & Enforcement
Real Estate Planning
- Real Estate Transactions
- Commercial Real Estate Transactions Seminar
Intellectual Property
- Copyright
- Patent Law
- Trademark & Business Torts
- Franchising & Distribution Law
- Intellectual Property Licensing
Bankruptcy
- Creditors’ Rights
- Advanced Bankruptcy
Externships
- Department of Justice, Tax Division
- Internal Revenue Service Regional Chief Counsel
Public Service Placements
- VITA
Faculty
Here are some of the full-time faculty and professional staff members who teach or have an interest in this area: