Nathaniel J. Dorfman

Nathaniel J. Dorfman

Counsel, Tax Controversy and Litigation

Nathaniel Dorfman advises clients in all stages of tax controversies — audit, IRS appeals and litigation (including before appellate courts). His representations include U.S. income and excise tax disputes, as well as matters before state and local taxing authorities.

Bio

Mr. Dorfman has litigated challenges to state regulations, as well as regulatory actions taken against insurance and banking industry participants.

Prior to joining Skadden, he was a managing director in the national state and local tax controversy group of a “Big Four” public accounting firm and also was a partner in the tax controversy and litigation practice of a national law firm.

Mr. Dorfman has significant public sector experience in both the federal and New York state governments. From 2005-10, he served as a trial attorney in the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice as well as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. While an attorney in the Tax Division, he represented the government in district court and bankruptcy court litigation, and successfully tried multiple cases. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, he prosecuted tax fraud, securities fraud, health care fraud, child exploitation and drug offenses in the Northern District of New York.

From 2014-19, Mr. Dorfman worked in New York state government, first as an assistant counsel to the governor for taxation and financial services, and then as the general counsel and deputy superintendent for legislative and regulatory affairs for the New York State Department of Financial Services. In the latter role, he was responsible for regulatory issues involving insurance companies, state-chartered banks and licensed financial services firms, the department’s portfolio of affirmative and defense litigation, and the development of regulations and legislative initiatives impacting New York insurance, banking and financial services laws.

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., Harvard Law School, 2002 (cum laude)
  • B.S., Cornell University, 1999 (with Highest Honors)

Admissions

  • New York
  • District of Columbia

Nathaniel J. Dorfman

Counsel, Tax Controversy and Litigation
nathaniel.dorfman@skadden.com