San Francisco, CA/ April 2004 -- The national employment and labor law firm Littler Mendelson learned today that one of its prominent attorneys, GJ Stillson MacDonnell was named Chair of the Employment Tax Committee of the Tax Section of the American Bar Association (ABA), effective May 7, 2004. As an authority on federal and state employment tax codes and procedures, the Committee is a leading source of education and guidance for the ABA on everything from payroll tax remittance to the classification of contingent workers and Social Security tax reform.

As Chair, Ms. Stillson MacDonnell will coordinate the work of the Committee and sub-committees, and be the ABA's lead advisor and spokesperson on employment tax matters. “This is a challenging time to be part of the Committee…as the debate and controversy surrounding contract workers and the rise of the contingent workforce continues to vex employers…,” she said. “Going forward, we will continue to encourage consideration of legislation that will better define and distinguish employment from the services of an independent contractor.” “And continue to improve and enhance the working relationship between the ABA and the IRS and Treasury (Dept.) on these issues.

Prior to being named Chair, Ms. Stillson MacDonnell was for the last two years Vice-Chair of the Committee and Chair of the Current Developments sub-committee. As Vice-Chair, she was a regular contributor to the ABA Tax Section publication The Tax Lawyer, and worked during her tenure to turn the Committee's newsletter into a unique and indispensable reference source for employment tax attorneys.

Ms. Stillson MacDonnell is a graduate of the University of Connecticut Law School (with honors), and a frequent speaker on employee benefits and employment tax matters for Littler, and California and American Bar Association meetings, as well as professional and industry educational forums

At Littler Mendelson, Ms. Stillson MacDonnell is Tax Counsel and Chair of the Firm's Employment Tax Practice Group. She is one of a handful of attorneys in the country to specialize in employment tax law issues, and is nationally recognized for her ERISA and employment tax experience and knowledge. “This appointment,” she said, “is an incredible honor and will only increase the opportunities for me to work on these important employment tax law issues, as well as broaden the level of leadership and expertise that Littler brings to bear on all aspects of employment and labor law.”

About Littler Mendelson

With more than 400 attorneys and 28 offices in major metropolitan areas nationwide, Littler Mendelson is the largest law firm in the United States devoted exclusively to representing management in employment, employee benefits and labor law matters. The firm's client base ranges from Fortune 500 companies to small-business owners. Established in 1942, the firm has litigated, mediated and negotiated some of the most influential cases and labor contracts in the nation's history. For more information, visit www.littler.com.

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