Education

  • Northwestern School of Law
  • Lewis and Clark College, J.D.
  • Northwestern School of Law
  • Lewis and Clark College
  • (Certificate of Federal Tax Law)
  • University of Oregon, B.S.

Jessica McConnell submerges herself in the world of tax and bankruptcy law. Her tax practice focuses on federal, state, and local tax controversies, including both the determination and collection of tax liabilities. Her debtor-creditor practice focuses on representing debtors in all matters relating to insolvency. She has helped hundreds of businesses and individuals efficiently resolve major tax and financial problems. Ms. McConnell has been admitted to the Oregon State Bar, the U.S. District Court – District of Oregon, as well as the U.S. Tax Court.

Well-versed in all areas of tax controversy, Ms. McConnell excels in her practice. She often handles matters regarding complex tax audits, employment tax liabilities, trust fund recovery penalties, and third party tax liabilities such as successor in interest, alter-ego and transferee liability claims. She regularly represents businesses, individuals, and estates with unfiled tax returns, compliance problems, and those with unpaid tax liabilities that are experiencing unwanted and unexpected tax collection. Ms. McConnell assists clients in resolving outstanding tax liabilities with penalty abatements, offers in compromise, installment agreements, collection holds, and discharging taxes in bankruptcy.

Ms. McConnell is an experienced debtor-creditor attorney. She handles a variety of insolvency and bankruptcy matters; a majority of which have tax complexities. Ms. McConnell assists businesses and individuals experiencing financial distress through business liquidations, creditor negotiations, bankruptcy, and by offering financial and operational advice to limit risks or reduce claims against the business and its officers. Ms. McConnell assists creditors with claim protection and collecting judgments.

Ms. McConnell was recognized as a Rising Star in the area of tax law by Oregon Super Lawyers. The annual Rising Stars list identifies the best attorneys who are 40 or under, or who have been practicing for ten or fewer years. No more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state receive the honor.

A natural leader, Ms. McConnell works closely with the Oregon State Bar. Dedicated to the practice of law, and sharing her knowledge of her field, Jessica plans and regularly presents educational seminars, serves on legislative work-groups, and pens articles about developments in the law. She volunteers at the Bar’s bankruptcy clinic and provides legal assistance through other pro bono opportunities.

Professional Affiliations

  • Oregon State Bar Association
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • Oregon Women Lawyers
  • U.S. District Court, District of Oregon
  • American Bar Association
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • Multnomah Bar Association
  • Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Section
    • Pro-bono Bankruptcy Clinic
  • Oregon State Bar Taxation Section
    • Laws Committee
    • New Tax Lawyers Committee, founding member and former vice-chair
    • 2011 Broadbrush Taxation CLE Planning Committee
    • Executive Committee, 2019-2020
  • Oregon State Bar Business Law Section
  • Oregon State Bar House of Delegates, 2010-2011

Select Honors & Achievements

  • Oregon Super Lawyers Rising Star – Tax Law
    • 2010 – 2012 & 2017 – 2020
  • Up & Coming Lawyer Honoree
    • The Daily Journal of Commerce, 2011

Speaking Engagements & Publications

  • Presenter, “Do’s and Don’ts of Compliance & Collection,” OSCPA Tax Controversy Institute, November 2019
  • Presenter, “Payroll Pitfalls & Employment Taxes,” Oregon State Bar Broadbrush Taxation CLE Seminar, October 2019
  • Presenter, “Navigating Tax Matters in Bankruptcy,” Oregon State Bar, How Bankruptcy Can Impact Your Clients: Basic for Business, Probate, Real Estate, and Tax Attorneys, CLE, December 2018
  • Presenter, “Tax Issues for Real Estate Professional,” Coldwell Banker Bain Lunch and Learn Seminar, November 2018
  • Presenter, “Income Tax Update & Strategies for CRE Brokers and Owners,” CCIM-WA, January 2018
  • Presenter, “Potential Personal Liability of Business Owners and Managers for the Business’s Unpaid Taxes and Wages,” Williams Kastner Labor & Employment Seminar, Seattle, WA, November 1, 2017
  • Author, “Owe taxes you can’t pay? You have several options,” Marijuana Venture Magazine, June 2017
  • Presenter, “Foreign Investment in US Real Property,” Coldwell Banker Bain International Forum, June 2017
  • Author, “Three Ways to Reduce Taxable Income,” Marijuana Venture Magazine, March 2017
  • Presenter, “Addressing Taxes Throughout A Dissolution Case,” Oregon State Bar Domestic Relations CLE Seminar, October 2015
  • Presenter, “Navigating Through Tax Collection,” Oregon State Bar Broadbrush Taxation CLE Seminar, October 2015
  • Presenter, “Taxes for Real Estate Professionals: Avoiding a Tax Audit,” Lunch and Learn Seminar for CREW Portland, September 2015
  • Presenter,  “Tax Issues for Real Estate Agents,” Lunch and Learn Seminar for Keller Williams and Premier Property Group, April and May 2013
  • Presenter, “Introduction to Bankruptcy,” Oregon State Bar New Lawyers Super Saturday CLE Seminar, October 2011 and October 2013
  • Presenter, “An Overview of Bankruptcy and Tax,” Oregon State Bar Broadbrush Taxation CLE Seminar, 2011
  • Presenter, “Case Note Summaries,” Oregon State Bar Debtor/Creditor Section Annual Meeting, 2010
  • Presenter, “Tax Controversy Basics,” Oregon State Bar Taxation Section, New Tax Lawyer Seminar, 2010
  • Author, “Bankruptcy Court Case Notes,” Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Newsletter, Spring – Winter 2010
  • Author, “Supreme Court Case Notes,” Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Newsletter, Spring and Fall 2010
  • Author, “State Court Case Notes,” Oregon State Bar Debtor-Credit Newsletter, Winter 2009 – Spring 2010, and Winter 2011
  • Author, “Resolving Tax Liabilities in an Age of Aggressive Collecting,” Portland Business Journal, 2010
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