Sanessa S. Griffiths

Sanessa Griffiths advises clients on a broad range of tax controversy matters and transactional situations.

Ms. Griffiths’ practice focuses on matters related to high-stakes and complex tax controversies involving transfer pricing, economic substance and business purpose doctrines, and tax treaty interpretation. With experience representing large U.S. and multinational companies at the audit, administrative proceeding and litigation phases, she routinely performs fact-finding and analysis in connection with multilayered tax matters, and assists clients in navigating legal and practical considerations of prelitigation and litigation work. In recognition of her work, Ms. Griffths has been repeatedly named one of Best Lawyers’ Ones To Watch in America (including in its 2024 edition).

Ms. Griffiths is very active in Skadden’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, particu­larly regarding the hiring and retention of attorneys of color. She is a member of the ABA steering committee that established the Loretta Collins Argrett Fellowship, which is focused on creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive ABA Tax Section and tax bar. She also has been involved in several pro bono matters, including drafting amici briefs for the U.S. Supreme Court, advising on federal and state tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations and representing asylum seekers.