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Attorney Brad Howell

Brad Howell’s practice focuses primarily on tax controversy and tax debt resolution. Attorney Howell is experienced in all stages on tax dispute resolution. Brad’s expertise covers resolving tax audits, negotiating collection alternatives, filing appeals within the Internal Revenue Service, and arguing before the U.S. Tax Court. Brad works with a range of clients, including self-employed individuals, startup and established business entities, and tax preparers.

Education

J.D., Cumberland School of Law

  • Honors:
    • The Order of Barristers
    • Dean’s List for Outstanding Academics
    • National Team Assistant Justice, Moot Court Board
    • ABA NAAC National Semi-Finalist
    • ABA NAAC 3rd Best Regional Appellate Brief
    • ABA NAAC 5th Best Regional Oral Advocate

B.A., Vanderbilt University, Communications and Political Science

  • Mentored teens recovering from substance abuse through Vanderbilt University’s “Mayfield Experience” community service project
  • Philanthropic Chair and Vice President, Lambda Chi Alpha
  • Member, Alpha Phi Omega, a national community service organization

Awards and Recognition

  • Top Flight Lawyer by B-Metro Magazine, 2016 – 2021
  • Top Attorney by BHM Biz Magazine, 2016
  • Top Attorney in Tax Law by Birmingham Magazine, 2015

Bar Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • Birmingham Bar Association
  • Court Admissions
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Alabama

Professional Engagement

  • Internal Revenue Service
  • Practitioner Liaison Group – Birmingham (2016 – present)
  • Birmingham Bar Association
  • CLE Committee (2013 – 2016)

Community Involvement

  • Alabama State Bar
  • Helping Heroes in Healthcare Task Force (2020 – present)
  • Birmingham Bar Association
  • Volunteer Lawyers Program

Presentations

  • “How to Effectively Work with the IRS,” Birmingham Bar Association, CLE course, 2013.
  • “Taxation of Business Entities,” Cumberland School of Law, CLE course, 2012.
  • “Ethical Considerations in Administrative Practice,” Cumberland School of Law, CLE course, 2012.
  • “Form 1099 Reporting,” Lorman Education Services, CLE course, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

About Brad Howell

Brad Howell’s practice focuses primarily on tax controversy and tax debt resolution.

Attorney Howell is experienced in all stages on tax dispute resolution.  Brad’s expertise covers resolving tax audits, negotiating collection alternatives, filing appeals within the Internal Revenue Service, and arguing before the U.S. Tax Court.  Brad works with a range of clients, including self-employed individuals, startup and established business entities, and tax preparers.

Attorney Howell has focused on tax controversy issues and tax debt resolution for over a decade.  Brad was originally introduced to tax controversy practice in 2009 by a fellow tax attorney who had worked at the IRS Office of Chief Counsel and had established a tax controversy practice in Atlanta.  After a couple of years of tutelage, Brad has expanded his own tax controversy practice and has since assisted hundreds of business and individual clients with resolving their tax issues.

Brad is admitted to practice in Alabama.  He represents clients in the U.S. Tax Court and before the Internal Revenue Service and the state tax authorities.

Brad is active in leadership roles in professional organizations:

Brad has dedicated time to teaching courses on IRS tax practice and presenting on legal topics at before professional audiences.

Attorney Howell has made televised appearances as a legal expert in the area of tax law.

Mr. Howell received his Bachelor’s degrees in Communications and Political Science from Vanderbilt University.  Brad earned his law degree at at the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, where he was the National Team Assistant Justice of Cumberland’s Appellate Advocacy program.

During his time at Cumberland, he received scholastic and extracurricular recognition for excellence in appellate advocacy.  Brad was selected on the Order of Barristers and the Dean’s List. Attorney Howell also received national recognition from the American Bar Association for oral advocacy and legal writing as a National Semi-Finalist at the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition.

Favorite foods: Chinese, Mexican, and Indian.

Favorite music: Motown and almost anything from the 90s.

Favorite movies: Vanilla Sky, Memento, Forrest Gump.

Favorite place to visit: Europe, especially locations with old architecture or ancient ruins.

Superpower: Problem solving.

Most meaningful volunteer activity: Helping those in need with pro bono bankruptcy filings.

Most passionate about: Assisting clients with understanding complex tax situations and reaching the best outcome.

Dream occupation if not a lawyer: Novelist or Musician.

Item on your bucket list: Travel in general, but visiting as many European countries as possible.

Fun fact people may not know: I was briefly the lead singer of a local cover band.

Something you can’t live without: Family and friends.

Full Profile

Brad Howell attended Vanderbilt University, where he obtained Bachelor’s degrees in Communications and Political Science. Upon graduation, he enrolled in the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama to fulfill his lifetime dream of becoming an attorney. After earning his Juris Doctor degree, Brad became licensed to practice law in Alabama and spent a couple of years learning the ropes of tax debt resolution from a former tax attorney with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel.

Attorney Howell has practiced in Alabama for over a decade, focusing primarily on tax audits, challenging tax assessments, and negotiating tax collection alternatives for individuals and businesses alike. During this time, Brad has been recognized by various local publications as a “top attorney” in the area of tax law. He has dedicated time to presenting on legal topics at before professional audiences and has made televised appearances as a legal expert in the area of tax law.

Brad enjoys giving back to the community by providing pro bono services through the Birmingham Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Program. He is also currently a member of the Alabama State Bar’s Helping Heroes in Healthcare Task Force, which focuses on assisting healthcare professionals with estate planning needs.

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Petrova Law is a boutique business law firm focused exclusively on tax and business law matters. The firm assists businesses with tax strategy, IRS representation, sales and purchases of businesses (M&A), and general corporate law from startup launch through growth and maturation to exit and succession.