Tsilas leaves IRS for Ballard Spahr

WASHINGTON – In case you are keeping a scorecard, attorney Vicky Tsilas has rejoined the Washington office of Ballard Spahr for the fourth time after three stints at the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department.

Tsilas, who most recently headed branch 5 in the IRS chief counsel’s office for more than a year and a half, was involved in publishing final issue price regulations, updating management contract safe harbor guidance, proposing public notice and approval requirements for private activity bonds and remedial action guidance that was released last week. She was also involved in final public notice and approval PAB rules and proposed reissuance regulations that will be released soon.

Tsilas, Vicky Tsilas

The announcement that she is returning to Ballard Spahr was made by Mark Stewart, chair of firm's public finance department.

"Vicky's rare combination of high-level experience at Treasury and the IRS and her years representing clients in private practice makes her an invaluable resource to clients seeking guidance on the federal tax regulation of municipal bonds," Stewart said. "Our reputation for providing the most sophisticated tax advice available in this area is assured for many years to come."

Tsilas first joined Ballard Spahr in 1999 as a tax associate after working a clerk for the U.S. Tax Court in Washington and as an associate at two other law firms.

Her first tour at the IRS began in May 2003 when she joined as assistant branch chief and attorney in financial institutions and products in the chief counsel's office.

After more than four years at the IRS, Tsilas briefly worked for ExxonMobil for nine months as a crude oil analyst.

She rejoined Ballard Spahr in May 2008 through June 2010 as of counsel.

She returned to the IRS in July 2010 for more than two years as assistant branch chief in financial institutions and products.

In November 2012, she joined the Treasury Department as attorney-advisor in its Office of Tax Legislative Counsel.

Tsilas returned to Ballard Spahr in January 2015 for the third time, becoming a partner. She stayed at the firm for more than three years before joining the IRS again in October 2016.

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