Taft attorneys Todd Lady, Jonathan Polak, and Joseph Balthazor authored the article “Best practice in brand ownership and tax reporting post-Coca-Cola,” which was published by World Trademark Review on April 22, 2021. The article discusses the U.S. Tax Court decision between the Coca-Cola Company and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regarding the improper method used to determine the transfer price for Coca-Cola’s intellectual property and provides key takeaways for large multinational companies.

Lady is a partner in Taft’s Tax practice group focuses his practice on general corporate taxation and international tax matters. He frequently represents clients with respect to domestic and cross-border M&A, inbound investment by non-U.S. persons, taxation of financial instruments and foreign currency denominated investments, choice of legal entity and the application of the U.S. tax-treaty network. He also advises U.S. clients with respect to the U.S. reporting of foreign activities, representing clients in seeking administrative relief through the private ruling process, and representing clients under examination by the IRS.

Polak is chair of Taft’s Intellectual Property practice group and a nationally-recognized trial attorney who handles high stakes cases for both large and small companies around the U.S. He has appeared before state and federal courts in 25 of the 50 U.S. states, the Trademark Trial and Appeals Board and private arbitration panels. He has appeared on ABC News’ Nightline, Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren Show and CNN Headline News’ The Nancy Grace Show. Polak is also called upon by local, regional and national media to comment on legal topics of the day.

Balthazor is an associate in the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group and counsels clients on a variety of intellectual property-related matters. After law school, he clerked for the Hon. Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. He is currently a member of the Warren E. Burger Inn of Court.