The Texas Tax Section Congratulates the 2024 Outstanding Texas Tax Lawyer Tom Rhodus

 

 

The Texas Bar Tax Section has selected G. Tomas "Tom" Rhodus as the Outstanding Texas Tax Lawyer for 2025. Tom has practiced and taught tax law for over 40 years, combining his early experience as a government trial lawyer with over 30 years in private practice to help clients navigate the complexities of tax law and especially tax litigation. Tom has the uncanny ability of making complex tax concepts easier for clients to understand often using analogies and stories to illustrate points.

 

Tom's distinguished career began with seven years as a trial attorney with the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., where he prosecuted countless civil and criminal tax cases. After leaving the Department of Justice, he started in private practice in Dallas with Larry Jones and then he moved to Durant & Mankoff where he practiced under the mentorship of Ron Mankoff. In 1990 he established Gray Reed & McGraw's Dallas office where he served as office managing partner for over 25 years.

 

Throughout his career, Tom tried numerous important civil and criminal tax cases. Examples of criminal cases include US v. Freuhauf Corp. and US v. Beakley. Examples of civil tax cases include Strangi v. Commissioner and Belmont Interests v. Commissioner.

 

Tom is known not only for his legal expertise but also for his mentorship. His partners and associates describe his office door as "always open" to discuss current cases, tax topics, or best practices for tax lawyers in Texas. He dedicates countless hours to helping younger attorneys develop their skills and expertise in tax law.

 

For over 35 years, he served as an adjunct professor at Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law, his alma mater, teaching courses on federal tax procedure and criminal tax fraud. His dedication to educating the next generation of tax attorneys reflects his passion for the field and his desire to share his wealth of knowledge and experience.

 

Tom is an active member of the American Bar Association, Dallas Bar Association, and State Bar of Texas Tax Section. Tom also regularly contributes to the advancement of tax law through his numerous presentations to organizations such as the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and its regional chapters, State Bar of Texas Tax Section, and Dallas Bar Association. His presentations typically cover critical topics in tax controversies.

 

The State Bar of Texas Tax Section is proud to bestow upon Tom Rhodus this well-deserved recognition as the 2025 Outstanding Texas Tax Lawyer, celebrating his lifetime of achievement and contributions to the field of taxation law in Texas.

Past Outstanding Texas Tax Lawyer Honorees