State Tax Interest Group Meeting and Technical Session (E2105038)

Neil Becourtney, CPA, is a partner at CohnReznick. With expertise in representing clients facing tax examinations by the Internal Revenue Service, as well as state taxing authorities, he heads up the firm’s Tax Controversies Group. A regularly writer on tax subjects, Mr. Becourtney regularly monitors federal and state tax developments and frequently presents tax seminars. An active member of the New Jersey Society of CPAs (NJSCPA) for many years, Mr. Becourtney is a past chairperson of the NJSCPA New Jersey Taxation committee and is currently a member of its Editorial Advisory Board. Mr. Becourtney graduated from SUNY Albany in 1982 with a bachelor’s of science in accounting and earned a master’s of science degree in taxation from Pace University in 1986.

Stephen J. Blazick is a Partner with Reed Smith LLP, an international law firm with over 1,500 attorneys. Mr. Blazick is a member of the State Tax Group, and is resident in the firm’s Philadelphia office. Mr. Blazick’s practice focuses on complex multistate tax appeals, litigation and advice, and minimizing state tax burdens. He has experience in the following areas: franchise, corporate income, sales and use, and gross receipts taxes. He also has represented numerous clients in unclaimed property matters, and matters involving Pennsylvania Marcellus Shale tax issues. Mr. Blazick is a frequent speaker on state tax issues, and has spoken at conferences sponsored by the Institute for Professionals in Taxation, Philadelphia Bar Association, Delaware Chamber of Commerce, Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Chicago Tax Executives Institute. Mr. Blazick is also a guest professor for Villanova University’s graduate tax program. Mr. Blazick has had articles published in the Washington Business Journal, the IPT Tax Report, State Tax Notes, and Rigzone (Oil & Gas News), and has been quoted in the Baltimore Sun, Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Legal Intelligencer. Mr. Blazick successfully represented the taxpayer in Schering-Plough HealthCare Products Sales Corporation v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 805 A.2d 1284 (Pa.Commw. 2002) aff’d, 861 A.2d 259 (Pa. 2004), a case of first impression and of national significance concerning Public Law 86-272. Mr. Blazick graduated summa cum laude from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A). Mr. Blazick received his Juris Doctor degree (J.D.) from Temple University School of Law. Mr. Blazick received a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) with a focus in taxation from Villanova University School of Law. Mr. Blazick is a member of the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, and the Marcellus Shale Coalition.

Michael I. Lurie is part of Reed Smith’s State Tax Group in Philadelphia. Mike focuses his practice on Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey taxes, and unclaimed property. Mr. Lurie represents clients in a wide variety of industries in state tax return positions, audits, administrative appeals, and litigation. Mr. Lurie is the co-author of articles on Pennsylvania’s sales factor sourcing and the constitutionality of state “tax haven” statutes.