2017 Annual Meeting of the California Tax Bar & California Tax Policy Conference Report

By Troy M. Van Dongen, Chair of the California Tax Policy Conference

The 2017 Annual Meeting of the California Tax Bar and California Tax Policy Conference, held at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, California on November 1-3, 2017, was another tremendous success. The over 400 attendees, including approximately 150 representatives from local, state, and federal governments, enjoyed 33 timely and informative educational programs consisting of three tracks — Tax Procedure and Litigation, State and Local Tax, and Estate and Gift Tax. There were many networking opportunities including the Meet the Speakers and Government Attendees Opening Reception hosted by the Young Tax Lawyers Association, together with Apheta and the University of San Francisco School of Law, LL.M. in Taxation Program.

Every year at the conference, three distinguished members of the profession are recognized for their contributions to the Taxation Section and to the practice of tax law. During the luncheon on Thursday, the V. Judson Klein Award was presented to Justin T. Miller, National Wealth Strategist, BNY Mellon LLP, and the Joanne M. Garvey Award was presented to Steven Toscher, partner with Hochman Salkin Rettig Toscher & Perez P.C. Dr. Edith Eva Eger, renowned speaker, author, and clinical psychologist, gave the keynote address at the luncheon, in which she shared her memories of the Holocaust and explained how negative experiences can inspire us all to pursue a life of meaning.

Valerie C. Dickerson, Managing Partner, Washington National Tax Multistate, Deloitte Tax LLP, was honored at the luncheon on Friday as the recipient of the prestigious Benjamin F. Miller Award. Susan Maples, Taxpayers’ Rights Advocate for the California Franchise Tax Board, gave the keynote address, providing insight into her background and how her office works to assist taxpayers navigate the FTB.