As the long-time leader of the firm’s State and Local Tax Law Practice Group, Michael Sontag has represented a multitude of Fortune 500 companies in their effort to ensure fair tax treatment by state and local governments, thereby avoiding the imposition of hundreds of millions of dollars of improper taxes. He has developed a national reputation and is the go-to solution for out-of-state and in-state companies alike confronting Tennessee state and local tax controversies. Michael and his team have assisted taxpayers in audits, administrative reviews and, when necessary, litigation. Michael has also developed innovative strategies for reducing a company’s exposure to state and local taxes, whether through restructuring transactions or through legislative solutions designed to provide tax-advantaged treatment where appropriate.
Michael was the first attorney to successfully challenge on Commerce Clause grounds the income taxation of out-of-state banks having no physical presence in Tennessee as well as the imposition of business taxes to certain wholesale sales of pharmaceuticals for the world’s largest pharmaceutical company.
Michael has built his national reputation through his steadfast dedication to his craft, both through his representation of clients as well as numerous speaking engagements and scholarly articles presented to national audiences.
Nashville Bar Association — Board Member
Tennessee Bar Association
American Bar Association
Representation of American Paper & Twine Company, a distributor of janitorial, packaging, food service, safety and office products, in its sale to Imperial Dade, a distributor of food service packaging and janitorial supplies. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Representation of The Bakery Companies, a baked goods manufacturer, in its sale to Arbor Investments
Representation of Walker Die Casting, Inc., a Tennessee-based corporation that produces high-quality aluminum die castings, in its sale to Allison Transmission (NYSE: ALSN), the world’s largest manufacturer of fully automatic transmissions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles
Represented SERVPRO in its recapitalization transaction, in partnership with Blackstone, one of the world’s leading investment firms
Represented a professional sports team in the increase and extension of its syndicated secured credit facility to $101 million with Regions Bank as administrative agent
Served as primary outside counsel to the NHL’s Nashville Predators since 2010.
Represented Tennessee Steel Haulers, Inc. in its sale to Daseke, Inc.
Represented LoJac Holdings Corp. in its sale of three divisions to Vulcan Materials Co.
Chambers High Net Worth Guide — Private Wealth Law (2017-2022)
Best Lawyers® — Nashville Litigation and Controversy: Tax “Lawyer of the Year” (2019, 2012)
The Best Lawyers in America© — Administrative/Regulatory Law; Litigation: Trusts and Estates; Litigation and Controversy: Tax; Trusts and Estates (1995-2023)
Nashville Business Journal “Best of the Bar” (2013, 2020, 2022)
Mid-South Super Lawyers (2006-2022)
Top 100 Tennessee Super Lawyers (2012-2013, 2017-2018, 2020-2021)
Top 50 Nashville Super Lawyers (2012-2013, 2017-2018, 2020-2021)
Business Tennessee “Top 150 Lawyers in Tennessee”
Nashville Post “Nashville’s 101 Top Lawyers” (2011)
Nashville Post “In Charge” (2012)
Vanderbilt University Law School/Paul J. Hartman State and Local Tax Forum — Trustee and Former President
Tennessee Federal Tax Institute — Trustee and Former President
“Tennessee Taxes” CCH Guidebook — Contributing Editor