About Chris

Christopher (Chris) Sigmund guides clients in resolving tax controversies, litigation and other business law matters at all stages. He leverages his decade of experience at two prominent international law firms to help clients assess risk and make thoughtful decisions in their business and personal lives. As part of his practice, Chris also zealously represents clients in U.S. Tax Court, U.S. district courts, and state court.

Diverse Clients. Chris has represented a broad range of clients including individuals, families, corporations, pass-through entities, nonprofits (e.g., universities and museums), professional athletics (e.g., teams, players and owners), as well as political campaigns and government officials. He advises clients on high-stakes business, litigation and tax matters (which have spanned income, estate, gift, residency, property, sales, employment and other tax-related issues). Many of these matters have involved complex trust and estate considerations, as well as foreign asset and cryptocurrency issues. Chris also has worked closely with clients and families based outside the United States, including cross-border family offices and investment funds.

Adding Value at Competitive Rates. Chris’ fundamental goal is to always add value to his clients’ lives, which requires a steadfast dedication to candor and efficiency. Sigmund Law provides Chris the platform to leverage his breadth of experience for his clients at competitive rates.

Pro Bono. Chris has performed hundreds of pro bono hours representing clients in federal courts, as well as in front of the IRS and state tax authorities. He also has advised numerous nonprofits (spanning from India to California to Texas) on a pro bono basis about a wide range of issues such as COVID-19 relief programs, tax-exempt status, and other complex tax considerations.

Education. Chris graduated with honors from Northwestern University School of Law and Iowa State University. He was a Notes Editor of the Northwestern University Law Review and a Wigmore Scholar. He received the Lowden-Wigmore Prize as a Julius Miner Moot Court finalist and was selected to compete on the law school’s National Moot Court Team.

Publications and Presentations. Chris has published numerous articles in Bloomberg Law, Trusts & Estates Magazine, WealthManagement.com and other publications. He also has presented on issues such as California tax residency and the IRS Wealth Squad at conferences including the Hawaii Tax Institute in Honolulu and to groups such as the San Francisco Estate Planning Council and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners in Palo Alto and San Francisco, CA.

Bar Admissions & Experience

Actively admitted to practice in Texas, California and Illinois.

Chris has represented hundreds of clients, some of whom he has defended against the following:

  • U.S. Department of Justice
    • Federal litigation and investigations
  • Internal Revenue Service
    • Audits (Income, Estate & Gift Tax)
    • IRS Appeals
    • U.S. Tax Court
    • Private letter rulings
  • California Franchise Tax Board
    • Audits & litigation
  • California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
    • Audits & litigation
  • Multiple county and city authorities
    • Property & sales tax disputes
    • Regulatory navigation

Law Firm Experience. Chris was an associate attorney at Skadden Arps in Chicago, IL from 2013-2017, and counsel attorney at P.C. in San Francisco, CA and Dallas, TX from 2017-2022. Prior to law school, Chris was a technical writer for National Instruments in Austin, TX.

Court Admissions. Chris is actively admitted to the U.S. Tax Court, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of California, Northern District of Illinois and District of Colorado.

Recognition. Selected as a Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2021 & 2022 (Tax Law).

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