Kevan P. McLaughlin, Esq., LL.M

At McLaughlin Legal, APC, we're proud to introduce Kevan P. McLaughlin, the driving force and managing partner behind our firm. Kevan brings a wealth of experience as a Certified Tax Law Specialist, with an unwavering dedication to providing top-notch legal services in San Diego.

Your Trusted San Diego Tax Attorney

Kevan P. McLaughlin is the Founder and Managing Partner of McLaughlin Legal, APC, a San Diego-based law firm focused on tax controversy, tax litigation, estate planning, trust administration, and related business and tax matters. As a California State Bar Certified Tax Law Specialist and Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, Kevan has built a reputation for providing sophisticated, strategic representation in some of the most complex federal and California tax disputes.

Kevan’s practice is heavily concentrated in representing taxpayers, business owners, professionals, and fiduciaries before the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), California Franchise Tax Board ("FTB"), California Department of Tax and Fee Administration ("CDTFA"), Employment Development Department ("EDD"), United States Tax Court, and other federal and state tribunals. He regularly handles high-stakes civil and criminal tax matters, audits, appeals, collection disputes, tax litigation, preparer defense matters, and complex tax planning issues.

Originally from Colorado, Kevan attended the University of Colorado Boulder, where he earned dual degrees in Political Science and Economics with a Special International Emphasis. He later attended Golden Gate University School of Law, where he graduated near the top of his class and earned a Specialization Certificate in Tax Law with Distinction. During law school, Kevan served as Executive Articles Editor of the Golden Gate University Law Review and co-authored a published law review article examining United States Supreme Court review of Ninth Circuit decisions.

Kevan subsequently earned his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation from the University of San Diego School of Law, widely regarded as the highest educational degree in tax law. He received a Graduate Law Merit Scholarship and later became certified by the State Bar of California as a Tax Law Specialist — a distinction earned by only a small percentage of attorneys statewide.

Throughout his career, Kevan has been consistently recognized for his work in tax law and litigation. He has been named to Super Lawyers and Super Lawyers Rising Stars for more than a decade, recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, honored by the San Diego Business Journal as a Leader of Influence in Law, the San Diego Daily Transcript’s annual peer nomination program as one of only a handful of top young attorneys throughout San Diego County, by the San Diego Metropolitan Magazine, and selected for numerous other peer-reviewed distinctions recognizing excellence in the legal profession.

Beyond his client practice, Kevan remains deeply involved in the tax law community. He previously served on the Executive Committee of the California Lawyers Association Taxation Section, served as Co-Chair of the San Diego County Bar Association’s Taxation Section, and acted as Editor-in-Chief of the California Journal of Tax Litigation. He is also a frequent lecturer and speaker on tax controversy, ethics, litigation strategy, and professional responsibility issues for attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents, and tax professionals throughout the country. Kevan has also worked with the California State Board of Equalization Taxpayer Appeals Assistance Program, the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, and the San Diego County Bar Association’s U.S. Tax Court Pro Bono Program - providing his legal specialization to unrepresented taxpayers.

Kevan has authored numerous publications and articles on tax procedure, ethics, litigation, and controversy matters, including publications in Tax Notes Federal, the Journal of Accountancy, California Tax Lawyer, and other nationally recognized tax journals. He has also appeared in numerous published tax opinions before the United States Tax Court and other courts involving significant federal tax issues.

In addition to his legal practice, Kevan serves as an adjunct professor at San Diego State University, where he teaches Ethics for Accountants.

At McLaughlin Legal, Kevan is known for combining sophisticated technical tax knowledge with practical litigation strategy and personalized client service. His approach emphasizes responsiveness, strategic advocacy, and delivering practical solutions tailored to each client’s unique circumstances — whether resolving sensitive tax disputes, protecting businesses and professionals, or helping families preserve wealth through thoughtful planning.

Kevan's legal practice centers on Federal and California tax law, making him your go-to expert in all tax-related matters. His extensive knowledge covers a broad spectrum of tax issues, but his true passion lies in representing taxpayers facing both civil and criminal tax disputes.  For clients facing serious tax issues or seeking experienced counsel in complex tax and estate matters, Kevan provides the depth of experience and specialized knowledge necessary to navigate challenging legal and financial situations with confidence.

Master of Laws (LL.M) in Taxation, University of San Diego School of Law

J.D. with Special Certificate in Tax Law with Distinction, Golden Gate University School of Law

B.A. Economics with Special International Emphasis, University of Colorado, Boulder

B.A. Political Science, University of Colorado, Boulder

• Super Lawyers (2019-2026) 
• Leaders of Influence in Law, San Diego Business Journal (2024) 
• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (2020-2024) 
• Leaders in Law Award Finalist, San Diego Business Journal (2019) 
• Super Lawyers Rising Stars (2015-2018)  
• Top 40 Under 40, San Diego Daily Transcript (2018) 
• Top Business Leaders Under 40 Finalist, San Diego Business Journal (2018) 
• San Diego’s Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll (2016-2017) 
• Best of the Bar, San Diego Business Journal (2014-2016) 
• Rising Star of the Month, San Diego Attorney Journal (May 2014)  
• Outstanding Young Attorney Finalist, San Diego Daily Transcript (2010, 2013)  
• Outstanding Young Attorney Nominee, San Diego Daily Transcript (2009-2010, 2012-2013) 
• San Diego's Top Attorneys, SD Metro Magazine (2011-2012, 2019) 

• State Bar of California  
• California Lawyers Association, Taxation Law Section  
• U.S. Tax Court  
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals  
• U.S. District Court for the Southern and Central Districts of California  
• Fellow, American College of Tax Counsel (2025-Present)
• California Lawyers Association, Taxation Section Executive Committee & D.C. Delegation Chair (2018-2023) 
• California Tax Lawyer, Articles Editor (2021-2023) 
• California Journal of Tax Litigation, Editor-in-Chief (2014-2015, 2017-2018)  
• Tax Procedure & Litigation Committee of the State Bar of California Taxation Section, Executive Committee (2014-2018)  
• Young Tax Lawyers Committee of the State Bar of California Taxation Section, Executive Committee (2014-2017)  
• San Diego County Bar Association, Taxation Law Section Co-Chair (2011-2013)  
• San Diego Chapter of the Young Tax Lawyers of the California State Bar Tax Section, Co-Chair (2011-2013)  
• American Inns of Court, Louis M. Welsh Inn, Associate Member (2011-2013)  
• San Diego Chapter of the Young Tax Lawyers of the California State Bar Tax Section, Secretary (2010)  

• Fitch v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, T.C. Memo. 2012-358 
• Martell v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, T.C. Memo. 2013-115 
• Fitch v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, T.C. Memo. 2013-244 
• Carreon, et al. v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, T.C. Memo. 2014-6 
• Perez v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 144 T.C. 51 (2015)  
• Medical Weight Control Specialist v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, T.C. Memo. 2015-52 
• Leslie v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, T.C. Memo. 2016-171 aff’d 725 F.App’x 597 (9th Cir. 2018) 
• Nguyen v. United States of America, 121 A.F.T.R. 2d 2018-528 (S.D. Cal. 2018) 
• Kelly v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, T.C. Memo. 2021-76 
• FAB Holding, LLC, et al. v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, T.C. Memo. 2021-135
• In RE Tantuwaya, 2023-OTA-129

• Purposeful Profit and the Unrelated Business Income Tax Problem, 2025 Tax Notes Federal 188-2
• Most Recent IRS Due Diligence Regulations Under IRC § 6695(g) Continue to Pose Unique Challenges That Could Undermine Its Very Purpose, California Tax Lawyer, Vol. 27, No. 4, 2019  
• Strategies for Compromising Tax Debts: Three Lesser-Known Techniques May Improve Chances of Making a Deal,  Journal of Accountancy, June 2011   
• Ethical Issues in Advertising for Tax Attorneys, California Tax Lawyer, Vol. 25, No. 1, 2016  
• An Interview with the Indicted: The Unique Client Perspective, California Tax Lawyer, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2017
• Proposed Changes to the IRS Whistleblower Program, 2013 Tax Notes Today 132-42   
• Balancing Privacy and Efficiency Under Section 7602: What is "Reasonable Notice" and Changing IRS Procedures Related  to Third-Party Contacts, 2012 Tax Notes Today 166-57   
• "On Certiorari to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals": The Supreme Court's Review of Ninth Circuit Cases During the  October 2006 Term, 38 Golden Gate U.L. Rev. 409 (2008)  

• Panelist, A Discussion of Business Tax Law Changes, Recent and Future, USD Tax Law Society with Co-Sponsors ABA  Taxation Section and Business Law Society, April 16, 2013 
• Recent Developments in Ethics for Tax Practitioners, California State Bar Annual Income Tax Seminar, June 28, 2013 
• Return Preparer Fraud: Remedies for the Taxpayer, 2013 IRS National Tax Forum, September 17 - 18, 2013 
• Professional Responsibilities for Tax Professionals Update, CalCPA 17th Annual Tax & Accounting Institute, November  21, 2013 
• Ethics for Tax Professionals, University of San Diego, Law and Tax Seminar, January 11, 2014  
• Panelist, U.S. Tax and Immigration Issues for the Global Citizen Living Abroad, San Diego County Bar Association, March  11, 2014
• Panelist, Helping Your Clients with Offers in Compromise, 2014 IRS Nationwide Tax Forum, July 17, 2014
• Privilege Issues Arising During Representation, 2016 Annual CalBar Income Tax Seminar, June 23, 2016
• Panelist, Avoiding Red Flags That Could Trigger a Tax Audit, 89th Annual State Bar of California Meeting, September 29, 20216
• Panelist, How to Prepare for a Restaurant Audit, California State Board of Equalization Telephone Townhall, October 18, 2016
• Panelist, Stay Ethical In Your Tax Profession: Keep Your Hand Out of the Cookie Jar and Other Avoidable Common Temptations, 2016 Annual Meeting of the California Tax Bar and California Tax Policy Conference, October 26, 2016
• Dealing with the IRS Practices & Procedures, 20th Annual CalCPA Tax & Accounting Institute, November 16, 2016
• Panelist, Tax Implications of Divorce, San Diego County Bar Association, August 29, 2017
• Panelist, Ethical Considerations in Transactional Tax Planning, CLA 2018 Annual Income Tax Seminar, June 22, 2018
• Panelist, Tax Audit Basics, CLA Annual Meeting, September 18, 2018
• Ethics, Southern California Tax Practitioners, August 6, 2018; July 10, 2019
• Ethics, CSTC East County Chapter, August 6, 2019
• Ethics, CSTC South Orange County Chapter, May 9, 2019; August 27, 2019
• Ethics, CSEA Inland Empire Chapter, September 11, 2019
• Ethics, CSTC North San Diego County Chapter, October 11, 2018; September 12, 2019  
• Ethics, CSTC San Diego Chapter, June 20, 2020 
• Panelist, Taxes, Epidemics, and Disasters: Issues and the Role Tax Lawyers Can Play in Recovery, November 2, 2020
• Panelist, Ripped from the Headlines: How Not to Practice Law From Those That Should Have Known Better, 2021 CLA Young Tax Lawyers Conference 
• Ethics, Western Pension & Benefits Committee, May 2017; June 22, 2021
• Ethics, CSEA Palomar Chapter, September 19, 2018; May 15, 2019; September 16, 2020; July 21, 2021 
• From Famous to Infamous: An Ethical Examination of the Rise and Fall of Some of Our Country’s More Notorious Attorneys, Annual Meeting of the CA Tax Bar and CA Tax Policy Conference, November 3, 2021
• Tax Bootcamp Part II: Successful Litigation Strategies and Techniques, Annual Meeting of the CA Tax Bar and CA Tax Policy Conference, November 3, 2022
• Current Hot Topics in Tax Ethics, San Diego Western Pension & Benefits Council, March 30, 2023; October 22, 2024
• Current Hot Topics in Tax Ethics, California Society of Tax Consultants Orange County Chapter, May 10, 2023
• Ethics, CSEA Palomar Chapter, September 20, 2023
• Ethics, 2023 Massachusetts State Tax Update, November 30, 2023

• Certified Tax Law Specialist: Kevan's certification as a Tax Law Specialist underscores his deep understanding of tax laws and regulations. When you work with him, you're partnering with an expert who can navigate the complexities of tax law with ease.
• Focused Expertise: Tax law is intricate, and Kevan's practice revolves around mastering its nuances. He has dedicated his career to providing top-tier legal counsel in tax matters, ensuring you receive the specialized expertise you deserve.
• Litigation and Controversy: Kevan excels in representing taxpayers in both civil and criminal tax litigation and controversy cases. His track record of success speaks to his ability to protect your rights and achieve favorable outcomes.
• Client-Centered Approach: Kevan understands that every client is unique, with specific needs and objectives. His client-centric approach ensures that your case is handled with the utmost care and tailored to your individual circumstances.

When you choose McLaughlin Legal, you're choosing a dedicated and experienced tax attorney who is committed to your success. Let Kevan P. McLaughlin be your trusted advocate in all your tax-related matters.

Contact McLaughlin Legal today to schedule a consultation and experience the difference that a Certified Tax Law Specialist can make in your case. Your peace of mind and financial well-being deserve nothing less.