Willkie Continues Strategic Growth in Los Angeles With Addition of Tax Partner Bryan Kelly

New York, NY (February 9, 2022) --- Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP today announced that Bryan Kelly has joined the Firm as a partner in the Tax Department, based in the Los Angeles office.  Bryan was previously a partner and Office Managing Director at Withers in Los Angeles. Today’s announcement brings the total number of partners in Willkie’s Los Angeles office to 17.

“Bryan is a highly regarded tax practitioner with a broad transactional practice that aligns with our core strengths as a Firm, and our growing platform in Los Angeles,” said Alan Epstein, partner in Willkie’s Los Angeles office. “We’re delighted to welcome him to the Firm.”

Bryan’s practice is focused on providing tax counsel to public and private companies and successful families with complex interests, including related tax considerations in cross-border matters.  He works with companies ranging from start-ups to multinational and publicly held companies, helping his clients to identify opportunities and manage risk in relation to business expansions, dispositions and restructurings; development of intellectual property; and mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and financings, including pre- and post-acquisition restructurings.  Bryan represents sponsors and investors in the formation and operation of private investment funds, working with private equity funds, as well as funds of funds. He also advises high net worth individuals and their families on pre-immigration and exit tax planning, inbound U.S. investment, including investment in U.S. real estate, and the income tax aspects of intra-family wealth transfers. Prior to his tenure at Withers, Bryan worked in the International Tax Services group at Ernst & Young and was a tax attorney at other international law firms.

Tax partner Shane Nix commented: “I’ve known and worked alongside Bryan for years and am thrilled he has joined our expanding tax team in Los Angeles. His corporate tax and private client experience, as well as integrated approach to working on entertainment industry M&A, restructuring and film fund formation matters, make him a great fit for our practice.” 

Bryan commented: “I was drawn to Willkie’s global platform and know it will be a great place for the next stage of my practice.  I look forward to working with my new colleagues in the growing Los Angeles office, as well as those around the world, to provide our clients with excellent legal advice and the best client service.”

Bryan’s arrival follows the addition of partners Ray LaSoya, Sid Fohrman and David Hong, who joined Willkie’s Los Angeles office earlier this year.  Launched in September 2021, Willkie’s Los Angeles office now includes more than 50 attorneys in the areas of corporate and M&A transactions, private equity, music and entertainment, asset management, private wealth, litigation, tax and intellectual property.

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Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is an international law firm of approximately 1,000 attorneys with offices in Brussels, Chicago, Frankfurt, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Milan, New York, Palo Alto, Paris, Rome, San Francisco and Washington. The Firm is headquartered in New York City at 787 Seventh Avenue. Tel: 212.728.8000.