VII. EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER BACKGROUND OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE

PROFESSIONAL STAFF

To produce the high quality work demanded by the Congress, the Joint Committee employs lawyers,

accountants, and economists who are well trained, highly skilled, and very knowledgeable about the

tax system. The Joint Committee staff employs approximately 17 tax lawyers who are graduates of

the leading law schools throughout the country. Most of them attained significant honors at law

school, such as membership in Law Review or Order of the Coif. Several have advanced degrees in

taxation. The two Joint Committee staff accountants, both of whom have law degrees, are CPAs who

each spent over five years in private practice with national accounting firms before joining the Joint

Committee staff.

The average length of service of this group with the Joint Committee is over seven years. Each had

substantial related experience before coming to work for the Joint Committee. For example, six of

the more senior legal staff worked for a number of years for the IRS, typically in the Legislation and

Regulations Division and in one case as Assistant to the Commissioner. Attorneys who joined the

Joint Committee staff from the private sector practiced with major, well-respected firms.

The Joint Committee staff economists all have advanced degrees. The Joint Committee staff

currently has approximately 18 economists and three computer specialists. Two of the public finance

economists work closely with members of Congress and their staffs and provide a critical component

to the entire Joint Committee staff's ability to analyze and implement tax legislation. The remaining

public finance and macro economists comprise the revenue estimation staff and have substantial

experience with economic modeling. Many of the economists have worked for other Government

agencies including the Office of Tax Analysis in the Treasury Department, the Department of

Agriculture, the Internal Revenue Service, GAO, and also for a variety of organizations in the private

sector.

The three lawyers on the Joint Committee refund review staff are highly trained and experienced.

Their average tenure on the staff is approximately 10 years.

Chiefs of Staff

The Members of the Joint Committee choose the Chief of Staff who is responsible for selecting the

remainder of the staff on a nonpartisan basis. Since its creation in 1926, the Joint Committee on

Taxation has had 12 Chiefs of Staff: Mr. L. H. Parker, Mr. Colin F. Stam, Dr. Laurence N.

Woodworth, Mr. Bernard M. Shapiro, Mr. Mark L. McConaghy, Mr. David H. Brockway, Mr.

Ronald A. Pearlman, Mr. Harry L. Gutman, Mr. John L. Buckley, Mr. Kenneth J. Kies, Ms. Lindy L.

Paull and Mr. George K. Yin.

Mr. Parker became Chief of Staff in 1926 and held that position until he retired in 1937. Mr. Stam

joined the staff in 1927, became Chief of Staff in 1937, and remained in that position until he retired

in 1964. Dr. Woodworth joined the staff in 1944, became Chief of Staff in 1964, and remained in

that position until 1977 when he left the staff to become Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy at the

Department of the Treasury. Mr. Shapiro joined the staff in 1967, became Chief of Staff in 1977, and

remained in that position until he left government service in 1981. Mr. McConaghy joined the staff

in 1972, became Chief of Staff in 1981, and left government service in 1983. Mr. Brockway joined

the staff in 1976, became Chief of Staff in 1983, and left government service in 1987. Mr. Pearlman

joined the committee as Chief of Staff in 1988 and left government service in 1990. Mr. Gutman

joined the committee as Chief of Staff in 1991 and left government service in 1993. Mr. Buckley

joined the committee as Chief of Staff in 1994 after over 20 years in the office of the House

Legislative Counsel and left the staff in 1994. Mr. Kies joined the committee as Chief of Staff in

1995 and left government service in 1998. Ms. Paull joined the committee as Chief of Staff in 1998

and left government service in 2003. Mr. Yin joined the committee as Chief of Staff in 2003 and left

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