Winston & Strawn LLP announced today that Denton (Denny) Thomas has joined the firm’s Houston office as senior counsel in the firm’s most recent move to strengthen its highly-regarded national tax practice. For more than 35 years, Thomas has represented individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships, corporations, and other entities in IRS examinations, Appeals Office proceedings and litigation. He has represented numerous corporate taxpayers, TEFRA and other partnerships, individuals, estates and trusts in various income tax and penalty issues, and successfully utilized techniques like Fast Track Mediation at the examination level. Thomas has also represented clients before the Appeals Office of the IRS in controversies ranging from hundreds of millions to significantly lesser amounts, including employing alternative dispute resolution methods such as Post Appeals Mediation.

Prior to joining Winston, Thomas was a partner with two international accounting firms and a national law firm, representing major energy clients such as King Ranch, Inc. and its oil and gas affiliate (as well as certain of its major stockholders) and Unocal Corporation. He also is noted for his work on behalf of the Howard R. Hughes, Jr. estate and the Hughes entities. Most recently, Thomas was a partner at Deloitte Tax, LLP.

“We are delighted to have Denny’s formidable talents and tax experience available to our energy, oil and gas practices,” said Stephen Cagle, Winston’s office managing partner in Houston. “His extensive experience in handling complex tax disputes for these key industries will be welcomed by our national as well as regional corporate clientele.”

Thomas’ arrival follows other recent steps by Winston to expand its national tax practices, including the hiring of Daniel Dumezich and Gary Colton in Chicago.

Thomas is a certified public accountant who earned his J.D., with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif.

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