Mayer Brown LLP: Stewart Scott M

Within the "Nearby Lawyers" platform category, Mayer Brown LLP's Chicago office, situated at 71 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, USA, stands as a cornerstone of its global legal practice. This address places the firm in the heart of Chicago's financial district, a bustling hub for commerce and legal activity, offering an ideal environment for complex legal work. The Chicago office is the original and largest office of Mayer Brown, with deep roots in the community and a prominent place in the city's history, having advised on the original incorporations of major companies like Sears, Roebuck and Co. The firm’s environment is that of a top-tier international law firm: modern, highly professional, and equipped with extensive resources to handle the most intricate legal matters across various industries and jurisdictions. The office fosters a collegial and collaborative atmosphere, where highly motivated individuals receive the support and development needed to thrive, all while upholding the firm’s principles of client service, excellence, and strategic thinking.

A distinguished attorney at Mayer Brown LLP's Chicago office is Scott M. Stewart. Since joining Mayer Brown in 1989, Mr. Stewart's practice has focused exclusively on tax disputes and transfer pricing matters. This long-standing dedication to a specialized and highly technical area of law has cemented his reputation as a leading expert in the field. He is consistently recognized by prestigious legal directories such as Chambers USA for his exceptional skills, being described as a "talented litigator and corporate advisor" who earns client confidence with his "extraordinary communication skills" and "broad and deep experience." Clients also laud his "spot-on judgment and analysis" and his responsiveness, highlighting his ability to provide clear, actionable advice in complex situations.

The services offered by Scott M. Stewart are comprehensive, covering all levels of federal tax controversy. He represents taxpayers during audits, administrative appeals before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and in mediation involving the Appeals division of the IRS. Should administrative avenues not yield a satisfactory resolution, Mr. Stewart is highly experienced in litigation before the United States Tax Court. For local users in Chicago, whether a large corporation or an individual with significant tax issues, his representation provides a crucial defense against the formidable power of the IRS and state tax authorities. His experience with the deductibility of interest expense in related-party transactions, including debt-versus-equity characterization and "sham transaction" and "economic substance" issues, is particularly deep, dating back to his involvement in the landmark Nestlé Holdings case during the 1990s. More recently, he led the Mayer Brown team that filed 15 Tax Court petitions concerning debt-equity issues on behalf of Tyco International and related companies, involving substantial amounts in interest expense.

Beyond domestic tax disputes, Mr. Stewart is a recognized authority in all aspects of international transfer pricing. This includes advising on cross-border movements of tangible and intangible property, advance pricing agreements (APAs), cost sharing arrangements, Section 6662 documentation (which relates to penalties for understatements of tax due to valuation misstatements), and transfer pricing litigation. His transfer pricing litigation experience includes several major cases of the last two decades, such as National Semiconductor, Seagate Technology, Nestlé Holdings, and United Parcel Service. He also advises clients on tax treaty matters, competent authority issues, attorney-client and related privilege issues in tax contexts, civil and criminal tax penalties, and accounting for tax matters under FIN 48 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board. His industry experience spans manufacturing, pharmaceutical, medical device, and food processing companies, providing him with a nuanced understanding of the specific tax challenges faced by these sectors.

The features that distinguish Mayer Brown LLP, and Scott M. Stewart's practice, include its global reach and its highly specialized expertise. Mayer Brown is an international law firm positioned to represent the world's major corporations, funds, and financial institutions in their most important and complex transactions and disputes. This global perspective is crucial in international tax and transfer pricing matters, where cross-border implications are inherent. The firm's tax controversy practice is among the elite, known for its ability to handle high-stakes disputes and provide strategic counsel that aligns with clients' business objectives. The firm fosters a collaborative environment, ensuring that clients benefit from integrated advice across various practice areas if needed. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of a client's tax challenges are addressed effectively.

Promotional information and accolades further underscore Scott M. Stewart's and Mayer Brown LLP's strong reputation. Mr. Stewart has been consistently recognized by Chambers USA each year from 2006 through 2015 for his excellence in tax litigation. While more recent specific individual awards for Scott M. Stewart are not readily available in the most recent searches, his long-standing inclusion in such prestigious rankings speaks to a consistent high level of performance and peer recognition over many years. Mayer Brown LLP as a firm consistently receives numerous awards and top rankings across its practice areas globally. For instance, in 2025, Mayer Brown achieved dual recognition at the GlobalCapital US Securitization Awards, being named "ABS Law Firm of the Year" for the fifth consecutive year and receiving the "ESG Law Firm of the Year" honor. They were also awarded "Debt and Equity-Linked Deal of the Year" at the 2025 IFLR Americas Awards. These firm-wide accolades reflect the overall strength and depth of Mayer Brown's legal talent and its commitment to excellence.

The firm's Newsroom and Insights sections frequently publish articles and legal alerts authored by their attorneys, including those on tax and transfer pricing, showcasing their thought leadership and expertise on emerging legal and regulatory developments. This active engagement with the legal and business communities helps to promote their capabilities. For local users in Chicago, especially those with complex federal tax disputes, international transfer pricing challenges, or significant corporate tax issues in the manufacturing, pharmaceutical, medical device, or food processing sectors, Scott M. Stewart at Mayer Brown LLP represents a highly distinguished and experienced choice within the "Nearby Lawyers" category, offering unparalleled expertise in tax controversy and international tax planning.