Karen L. Hawkins, a partner at the boutique tax law firm of Taggart & Hawkins in Oakland, has been appointed head of the Internal Revenue Service's office of professional responsibility, the IRS announced Tuesday.
She had been slated to become the chairwoman of the American Bar Association's taxation section in August.
OPR is charged with enforcing standards of conduct of individuals who practice before the IRS, including bond attorneys. The office acts in accordance with IRS Circular 230 regulations, which gives it authority to fine or suspend lawyers from appearing before the agency.
Officials with the IRS' tax-exempt bond office make referrals to OPR in the situations where they believe practitioners are deliberately acting in bad faith with the IRS or are grossly negligent.
In December, TEB director Cliff Gannett told reporters he is considering referring a handful of bond lawyers to OPR for not cooperating honestly with the agency.
Robert Henn, senior manager of TEB field operations, elaborated by saying they have reason to believe some attorneys are deliberately stalling the examinations process in attempts to get the statute of limitations to expire on the bonds in question.
"Karen Hawkins brings a wealth of experience and insight to this job," said IRS commissioner Doug Shulman. "She will play an important role in moving forward our overall strategy regarding tax professionals, including return preparers, and I look forward to working with her in this critical role at the IRS."
Hawkins replaces Michael Chesman, who left the OPR in October 2008.
She has been a member of the California Bar for the last 30 years. Hawkins received her law and MBA taxation degrees from Golden Gate University in San Francisco.
