Bahar Schippel is a certified specialist in tax law with 25 years of experience advising clients across multiple industries through their most sophisticated tax issues and planning. She is also a leader and serves on the firm’s Expanded Executive Committee as well as a senior partner in the tax practice group.

Bahar is a practical and knowledgeable transactional tax lawyer.  She specializes in tax planning for mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, real estate transactions such real estate joint venture agreements, drafting LLC and partnership agreements, tax planning in connection with fund formation and operations, structuring tax-efficient debt workouts, designing service provider equity compensation for LLCs and partnerships and representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service.

Within the profession, Bahar has served several tax law-related organizations including currently serving as the president of the American College of Tax Counsel. She previously served on the Council of the American Bar Association’s Section of Taxation and is a past vice chair (Pro Bono and Outreach) and is a past chair of the Section’s Partnership Committee. She is currently Bahar is also the past chair of the Tax Section of the State Bar of Arizona and is the past chair of the Arizona Tax Advisory Commission, which oversees the tax specialization program in Arizona. Bahar currently serves on the Board of the Tannenwald Foundation for Excellence in Tax Scholarships.

Bahar frequently speaks at national and regional tax conferences as well as contributes articles to top-tier tax publications. Prior to joining Snell & Wilmer, Bahar served as Attorney-Advisor for the United States Tax Court in Washington, DC, and as Teaching Assistant to the Honorable David Laro at Georgetown University Law Center.

Education

• Certified Specialist in Tax Law, Arizona Board of Legal Specialization
• University of San Diego School of Law (LL.M., magna cum laude, 1998)
• Arizona State University (J.D., cum laude, 1996)
  • Four time Pedrick Scholar
  • Order of the Coif
• Arizona State University (B.S., magna cum laude, 1992)

Presentations & Publications

• “Distressed Partnerships (Including Bankruptcy and Cares Act),” PLI (June 2023)
• “Partnership Formations and Special Issues – Extracting Value,” PLI (May 2023)
• “Qualified Small Business Stock, SALT Issues and Caveats in M&A Transactions and SEC PE Rules,” Snell & Wilmer (June 2022)
• “Advanced Topics in Joint Venture Formations,” Practising Law Institute (May 2022)
• “Corporate Tax Strategies and Techniques Using Partnerships, LLCs and Other Strategic Alliances,” Practising Law Institute (November 2021)
• “Arizona Enacts Several New Tax Measures,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (September 1, 2021)
• “Partnerships Taxation: The Latest from Washington,” 31st Annual Virtual Philadelphia Tax Conference (November 2020)
• “Partnership Compensation,” USC Gould School of Law 2021 Tax Institute (January 2021)
• “Workouts and Debt Restructuring,” Practising Law Institute, Annual Real Estate Tax Forum, New York, NY (2009-2016, 2018-2023)
• “Top Phoenix Law Firm Draws ASU Grads With Culture of Commitment,” Quoted, ASU Law (August 26, 2020)
• “Bonus Depreciation Finally Available for Qualified Improvement Property Placed in Service After 2017,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (April 20, 2020)
• “The CARES Act Includes Many Tax Incentives for Businesses – Expands Ability to Take Losses and Deductions,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 30, 2020)
• “Payment Deadline Extended – Tax Return Filing Deadline Remains April 15,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 19, 2020)
• “Flushing Archaic Beliefs and Finding Inspiration in the Achievements of Women,” Highlighted, KiteRocket (November 5, 2019)
• “Boilerplate Tax Distribution Provisions Can Get You Into Hot Water,” Presenter, American Bar Association Webinar (September 11, 2019)

Recognition & Awards

• The Best Lawyers in America^®, Tax Law (2010-2024)
• AZ Business Leader, AZ Business Leaders Magazine (2020)
• Women of Achievement, In Business Magazine (2019)
• Gold ‘n Gavel Star for 1996, ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law (2017)
• Outstanding Alumna: Class of 1996, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law (2011)
• Forty-Under-40, Phoenix Business Journal (2009)
• John S. Nolan Fellow, ABA Section of Taxation (2006-2007)
• Southwest Super Lawyers^®, Tax (2010-2011, 2013-2014)
• Ranking Arizona: The Best of Arizona Attorneys, Tax Law (2011)
• Arizona’s Finest Lawyers
• Arizona’s Top Lawyers, AzBusiness Magazine (2010)
• Greater Phoenix Attorney at Law Magazine feature story, “The Women of Snell & Wilmer” (December 2009)

Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.

At Snell & Wilmer, we recognize one straightforward fact – our clients care less about our internal workings and more about the degree to which we understand their business, their industry, and the trends and challenges that can affect their ability to minimize risk and maximize success. This strong external focus and the diverse experience of more than 400 attorneys enable us to help clients solve problems, achieve opportunities and deal efficiently and effectively with an ever-changing economic, business and legal landscape.

At Snell & Wilmer, we recognize one straightforward fact – our clients care less about our internal workings and more about the degree to which we understand their business, their industry, and the trends and challenges that can affect their ability to minimize risk and maximize success. This strong external focus and the diverse experience of more than 400 attorneys enable us to help clients solve problems, achieve opportunities and deal efficiently and effectively with an ever-changing economic, business and legal landscape.

Central to any business is the desire to decrease expense and drive revenue. When dealing with legal matters that involve proprietary business information, trust between the client and our firm is paramount. Snell & Wilmer provides creative yet practical client-specific solutions. Professional integrity and fast response to client needs guide our interactions. In short, we work with clients in ways that are both personal and professional – ways that engender mutual trust and pave the way for successful outcomes.