Robert E. McKenzie

Partner

Robert E. McKenzie is a Partner of the law firm of Arnstein & Lehr LLP of Chicago, Illinois, concentrating his practice in representation before the Internal Revenue Service and state agencies. He has lectured extensively on the subject of taxation. He has presented courses before thousands of CPA’s, attorneys and Enrolled Agents nationwide. He has made numerous media appearances including Dateline NBC and The ABC Nightly News. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. McKenzie was employed by the Internal Revenue Service, Collection Division, in Chicago, Illinois from 1972 to 1978. During that time, he worked as a Revenue Officer, a classroom and OJT Instructor of Revenue Officers, and as an Advisory Revenue Officer in the Chicago Special Procedures Staff. Since entering private practice, he has dedicated a major portion of his time to representation before the IRS. Mr. McKenzie was a Council Director of the ABA Tax Section (1998-2001). He was a Vice Chair of the ABA Tax Section (2003-2005). He is past Chairman of the Employment Tax Committee, past co-chair of the Task Force for Bankruptcy Legislation of the American Bar Association Section on Taxation and past Chairman of the Chicago Bar Association Federal Tax Committee. He was Dean of the National Tax Practice Institute (1998-2002). He is also a member of the Chicago Area Director’s Liaison Committee. Mr. McKenzie serves on Arnstein & Lehr’s Executive Committee.

Professional Activities and Achievements

Mr. McKenzie is an AV-rated attorney listed by Martindale-Hubbell. He is noted as one of The Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers as well as listed as a “Leading Illinois Attorney” since 1995. Mr. McKenzie has been selected as a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel (2001-present). He is also a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (2001-present). He was a member of the American Bar Association, Tax Section, Council Director (1998-2001). He was Co-Chair of the Task Force for Bankruptcy Legislation (1997-1998) and served as Vice Chair of the American Bar Association Tax Section (2003-2005). He also served as Chairman for the Employment Taxes Committee (1992-1994). Mr. McKenzie is a member of Executive Committee Chicago Bar Association, Tax Committee (1992-present) and served as Chairman (1996-1997). He is the Liaison to the Area Director of the IRS (1988-present). He served as the National Tax Practice Institute Dean (1998-2002). He is a life member of the American Tax Policy Institute.  Recently, Mr. McKenzie was appointed to the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council.

Recent Publications

Mr. McKenzie is the author of Representation Before the Collection Division of the IRS and coauthor Representing the Audited Taxpayer Before the IRS, and Representation Before the U.S. Tax Court. Mr. McKenzie graduated with high honors from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent College of Law. Mr. McKenzie has received an AV rating from Martindale and Hubbell and has been selected for listing by Law and Leading Attorneys where he serves on its advisory board. He a Fellow in the American College of Tax Counsel and serves on its Board of Regents. He speaks on a regular basis. In the last year he has spoken for the American Bar Association in; Washington, DC. California Society of Enrolled Agents, Las Vegas, NV; Reno, NV and the National Tax Institute in Banff, Canada and St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.

Education

Chicago-Kent College of Law (J.D. with high honors)
Illinois Institute of Technology
West Hornbook Award (Number One Student, Silas Strawn Scholarship, 1977)
Michigan State University

Bar Admissions

U.S. Tax Court; U.S. Court, Northern District of Illinois; States of Illinois and Arizona