Elizabeth Ann Copeland

Elizabeth Ann Copeland (born June 1, 1964) is a Texas attorney in private practice and is a nominee to be a Judge of the United States Tax Court.

Biography

Copeland was born on June 1, 1964 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.^[1] She received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, cum laude, in 1986 from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to attending law school, she worked at Ernst & Whinney (now EY), from 1986 to 1989. She received a Juris Doctor in 1992 from the University of Texas School of Law. While attending law school, she served as a law clerk to Justice Eugene Cook of the Supreme Court of Texas. She began her career as an attorney adviser to Judge Mary Ann Cohen of the United States Tax Court, from 1992 to 1993. From 1993 to 2012, she practiced law with the firm of Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison & Tate, Inc., becoming a shareholder in 2000. Since 2012, she has practiced law with the firm of Strasburger & Price, LLP, in San Antonio, Texas. She handles all matters pertaining to Federal income taxation, including planning and tax controversies, and she is also experienced in dealing with the Internal Revenue Service at the administrative appeals level and in litigation.^[2][3]

Recognition and certifications

Copeland has been Board Certified in Tax Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2002. Tax Analysts named her a 2012 Tax Person of the Year in its national edition of Tax Notes. She served as Chair of the State Bar of Texas Tax Section in 2013 to 2014 and is a Certified Public Accountant.^[4]

Nomination to tax court

On May 4, 2015, President Obama nominated Copeland to serve as a Judge of the United States Tax Court, to the seat vacated by Judge Diane Kroupa, who retired on June 16, 2014.^[5] She received a hearing before the United States Senate Committee on Finance on January 29, 2016.^[6] On April 18, 2016 her nomination was reported out of committee by a 26-0 vote.^[7] Her nomination is now pending before the full Senate.

References