Miami Law Welcomes Tax Professor Leigh Osofsky

Associate Professor of Law Leigh Osofsky admits that when she began Stanford Law School, she did not know exactly what she planned to do with her law degree. But, everything changed during her second year when she discovered tax law.

By UM News 09-23-2011

"I loved a lot of different things about it," said Osofsky as she recalled the first time she became excited about her career. Osofsky, who joined Miami's faculty from New York University School of Law where she served as an acting assistant professor of tax law, said that what intrigues her to this day about tax law is its fundamental character. "In tax, it all has to fit together, make sense. Everything builds on top of each other. I enjoy the puzzle-like aspect of it."

Her passion led her to work as an associate for Fenwick and West LLP where she advised large corporations and partnerships regarding domestic and international tax planning. There, she also drafted and negotiated LLC, merger and acquisition agreements. She later worked as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Pierre Leval of the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. During this time, she advised Judge Leval about civil and criminal cases, drafted bench memoranda and communicated with chambers about certain cases.

Now, Osofsky – an accomplished lawyer, proud wife and mother of a three-year-old son – will begin teaching Taxation of Business Entities: Partnerships for the Tax LL.M. program at Miami Law next month.

Osofsky said that she is looking forward to beginning the class, and possibly inspiring some students along the way. "It was a great teacher who got me interested," she said. The professor hopes to make a similar impact with her class.

"I feel honored to join such a great tax faculty," she said. U.S. News and World Report recently ranked Miami Law's tax program as fifth best in the country. "We've got many great people here. I hope to become a part of that tradition."