Shawna Early

Candidate Information

Email: saearly10@gmail.com

Phone: 917.613.2089

Salary Expectation: TBD

Skills: Real estate litigation, commercial litigation, tax litigation, trial advocacy, appellate litigation, motion practice, legal research, contract disputes, fiduciary duty cases, financial litigation, jury trials, cross-examination, deposition strategy, case strategy development, complex dispute resolution, legal writing, courtroom advocacy, litigation team management, client representation, negotiation, regulatory compliance, risk assessment, arbitration, mediation, leadership, business development, government litigation, forensic evidence analysis, tax controversy.

Current Location: New York

Willing to Relocate?:

Relevant Experience: Shawna A. Early is an accomplished trial attorney with over two decades of litigation experience, specializing in high-stakes financial and real estate disputes. As a Special Trial Attorney in the Strategic Litigation Division of the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, she has first-chaired numerous complex trials before the U.S. Tax Court and handled financial and property-related disputes. Her extensive litigation background includes contract enforcement, fiduciary obligations, and tax-related real estate cases. She is highly skilled in legal research, motion practice, and persuasive advocacy, with a proven track record of securing precedent-setting decisions. Recognized nationally for her litigation excellence, she has received multiple awards for outstanding courtroom performance.

Work Authorization:

Highlights: Special Trial Attorney, Strategic Litigation Division – IRS Office of Chief Counsel (2018–Present)

Lead trial counsel in complex tax and financial disputes, including real estate and contract enforcement cases.
Conducted depositions, drafted motions, and litigated high-value cases before the U.S. Tax Court.
Received the Chief Counsel National Award for Outstanding Litigation Team (2024) for success in major tax litigation.
Tax Controversy/Litigation Attorney – IRS Office of Chief Counsel (1998–2018)

Represented the IRS in high-stakes tax and financial litigation involving corporate and real estate transactions.
Developed legal strategies for multimillion-dollar property and fiduciary disputes.
Drafted and argued motions, influencing landmark tax and financial rulings.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney – Eastern District of New York (1998–2014)

Litigated financial and bankruptcy-related disputes in federal court, many involving real estate assets and corporate structures.
Worked closely with financial regulators to investigate fraud and tax evasion schemes linked to real estate transactions.
Landmark Case Success – YA Global Investments v. Commissioner, 161 T.C. No. 11 (2023)

Key counsel in a high-profile financial litigation case that set a new precedent in tax and real estate investment law.
Won multiple Treasury Department Legal Division Awards for her contributions to groundbreaking cases.
Recognition & Awards

Chief Counsel National Award for Outstanding Litigation Team (2024)
Treasury Department Legal Division Award for Outstanding Litigator (2022)
Lucite Award Recipient (5 times) for successfully litigating novel and complex real estate and tax cases.

Resume: View Resume