Michigan State University College of Law
Alvin L. Storrs Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic
Introduction to the Tax Clinic
Who We Serve
• English as a Second Language Taxpayers
• International Students & Scholars
• Low-Income Taxpayers with an IRS
controversy.
Courts We Practice In
•
•
•
•
Michigan Tax Tribunal
Michigan Court of Appeals
United States Tax Court
U.S. District Court
What Clinicians Will Learn
• Analytical skills through careful reading of
Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations,
and case law.
• Interpersonal skills via daily interaction with
clients, opposing counsel and governmental
agencies.
• Advocacy for clients through the written and oral
communication word.
• Writing skills that advocate for our clients
How is Tax Clinic different from other law
school courses.
• Clinicians are working as attorneys, on behalf of real clients
with real legal problems. The stakes are high!
• Reading, research, and analysis is mostly directed towards the
clinician’s cases.
What should 1Ls Do
• Speak with current and former clinicians.
• Recognize how tax issues effect all areas of the law.
• Visit the Tax Clinic.
What Should 2Ls and 3Ls Do
• Participate in at least one clinical program.
• Recognize that public service is a responsibility that comes
with the privilege of practicing law – why not start early?
What do clinicians gain from the Tax Clinic
experience?
• Real practice experience.
• Writing products.
• Resume benefits.
• Greater Responsibility.
• Satisfaction of helping clients.
Contact Information
• Joshua M. Wease, Director
wease@law.msu.edu
• Christina M. Thompson, Public Interest Tax Fellow
cthompson@law.msu.edu
610 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: 517.336.8088 - Fax: 517.336.8089