Chamberlain Hrdlicka marks new year with new attorneys

HOUSTON � (January 24, 2011) � The Houston office of national law firm Chamberlain Hrdlicka is challenging the national trend of law firm contraction by hiring a new crop of talent to serve its clients. With the New Year, the firm has brought three new attorneys on board to keep up with the demand. Paul Masters and Heather Pesikoff have both joined Houston's office as senior counsel, while Sara Forlano joined the firm as an associate. In addition, Chamberlain recently opened a fifth office in San Antonio, bringing veteran tax attorney Charles "Chad" Muller on as a shareholder to service the growing client base in that area.

"Our Houston office continues to thrive despite what has been a challenging few years for the economy," said Wayne Risoli, managing shareholder, Chamberlain Hrdlicka. "Part of the reason for our continued success and consistent growth not only in Houston but across the firm is the excellent talent we hire to serve our clients. Their hard work and dedication is what enables our ongoing success."

The perseverance and strength of Houston's local economy in recent years is reflected in Chamberlain's continued growth. Houston's business community has not only withstood the challenges presented by the volatile economy, it has emerged as a catalyst, driving growth in many key industries. The addition of Chamberlain's newest attorneys is a direct response to the successful performance and optimistic outlook of Houston's growing businesses.

Paul Holmes Masters focuses his practice on general business and tax advice including corporate formations, mergers and acquisitions, employee non-compete agreements, estate planning, collections and dispute resolutions. Prior to joining Chamberlain Hrdlicka, he represented the Texas Comptroller and Attorney General for four years in complex state tax litigation before the Travis district courts and the Third Court of Appeals as Assistant Attorney General. Early in his career, Masters served as a certified public accountant.

Heather Pesikoff specializes in tax law. She represents taxpayers in negotiations with IRS agents, appeals officers, IRS counsel, Social Security Administration personnel and state and local taxing authority officials to resolve domestic and international compliance and controversy issues. Most recently at PricewaterhouseCoopers, her experience also includes negotiating favorable taxpayer-initiated closing agreements and IRS appeals.

Sara M. Forlano specializes in labor and employment law. Her practice focuses on civil rights litigation, including employment and Section 1983 claims. Prior to joining Chamberlain Hrdlicka, Forlano spent nine years with the Montgomery County Attorney's Office. Her experience also includes a clerkship for the Honorable William F. Sanderson, Jr., United States Magistrate Judge, United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, as well as work as a Pro Se Staff Attorney for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. She was recognized as a Texas Rising Star in 2006.

Charles "Chad" Muller comes to Chamberlain's San Antonio office from Strasburger. His tax controversy practice includes federal and state civil tax litigation; federal criminal tax litigation including related white collar crime representation; property tax disputes and litigation; representation of attorneys and accountants in malpractice cases and discipline proceedings; representation of taxpayers before IRS appeals offices; and representation of taxpayers during civil and criminal IRS examinations. He has served on the IRS Commissioner's Advisory Group and Commissioner's Integrity Review Panel, as well as on the Department of Justice Tax Division and Advisory Committee. He has also chaired the American Bar Association Committee on Civil and Criminal Penalties and the Penalties Tax Force.

About Chamberlain Hrdlicka

Chamberlain Hrdlicka is a diversified business law firm with offices in Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Denver and San Antonio. The firm represents both public and private companies as well as individuals and family-owned businesses across the nation. In addition to tax planning and tax controversy, the firm offers legal counsel in corporate law, securities and finance, employment law and employee benefits, energy law, estate planning and administration, intellectual property law, international and immigration law, commercial and business litigation, real estate law and construction law.

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