Conor Desmond joins Caplin & Drysdale in 2024 as an Associate in Tax Disputes & Tax Litigation practice group.
Services
Mr. Desmond’s practice centers on assisting individuals and corporations in matters relating to compliance with their U.S. tax obligations. He also advises clients on a broad range of tax issues with a particular focus on assisting individuals, trusts, partnerships, and corporate entities with responding to and defending against civil IRS audits and examinations, as well as actions involving Federal Court such as refunds or other matters.
Highlights
In 2024, the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division recognized Mr. Desmond as an On the Rise – Top 40 Young Lawyer. Prior to joining Caplin & Drysdale, he served as trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division where he led multiple teams presenting arguments in both bench and trial matters, devising strategy, drafting discovery, reviewing settlement offers, solving problems as they arose and reaching successful conclusions. Mr. Desmond handled one of the most complex dockets in Civil Trail Southern and was the recipient of the Assistant Attorney General Award for Training in 2023. Further, Mr. Desmond was named outstanding attorney three years in a row. Mr. Desmond is skilled in managing Electronically Stored Information (ESI) discovery, and developing understanding of generative AI technologies.
While at the Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Mr. Desmond served at the Editor in Chief of the Loyola University Chicago Public Interest Law Reporter. He also was a member of Loyola’s Chicago Bar Association Moot Court Team (Semi Finalist), a practicing student attorney with the Health Justice Project/Chicago Volunteer Legal Services and simultaneously earned a master’s degree in public policy.
Admissions & Education
Bar & Court Admissions
- District of Columbia
- Illinois
- United States Supreme Court
- U.S. Tax Court
Education
J.D., Loyola University Chicago School of Law, 2015
M.P.P., Loyola University Chicago, 2015
B.S., University of Illinois, 2009
Recognitions & Noteworthy
Honors & Recognitions
American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, On the Rise National Top 40 Under 40, 2024
American Bar Foundation Fellow
Department of Justice, Assistant Attorney General Award for Training - 2023
Department of Justice, Outstanding Attorney Award – 2022-2024
Department of Justice, Commendation -2021
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Award for Providing Equal Access to Justice
Government Service
Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, Tax Division, 2019 – 2024
Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Illinois Attorney General, 2018 – 2019
Professional Activities & Affiliations
Professional Activities
Member, American Bar Association, Tax Section, Young Lawyers Section, Business Law Section
