Eric J. Coffill
A widely respected thought leader on state and local tax issues, Eric Coffill brings more than 30 years of experience counseling clients on multistate tax controversy and litigation matters at the administrative, trial and appellate levels, particularly before the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) and State Board of Equalization (SBE). Eric advises manufacturers, government contractors, technology service providers and other industry-leading companies on all aspects of state and local taxes, including transactional, income, nexus and apportionment issues.
A former staff counsel to the California FTB and public defender for the Office of the California State Public Defender, Eric has extensive experience advising on California tax matters, having successfully litigated cases before the Supreme Court of California, the California FTB and the California SBE. Eric litigated the landmark case defining corporate business income. [Hoechst Celanese Corporation v. Franchise Tax Board (2001) 25 Cal.4th 508]
Eric is the author of more than 75 articles on a variety of state tax issues. His wealth of knowledge and experience in state tax disputes allows him to effectively advocate for his clients and has made him a sought-after speaker for numerous organizations, such as Tax Executives Institute (TEI). Eric currently teaches income and franchise taxation at the University of California, a position he has held since 1991. He also served as a state and local tax adjunct professor at McGeorge School of Law for nearly 10 years.
Prior to joining Sutherland, Eric was managing partner of the Sacramento office of Morrison & Foerster LLP.
- Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America in the area of tax law (2017)
- Recognized by Chambers Global: World’s Leading Lawyers for Business as a Leading Individual nationally in the area of State and Local Tax, Band 1 (2007-2016)
- Recognized by The Legal 500 United States in the area of domestic tax (2009, 2013-2015)
- Named to The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of litigation and controversy – tax and tax law – state and local tax (2010-2017)
- Selected for inclusion in Northern California Super Lawyers in tax (2004-2015)
- Named to the International Tax Review – Tax Controversy Leaders Guide (2012)
- Recipient, Benjamin F. Miller Award, State Bar of California, Taxation Section (2012)
- Recipient, Award for Exceptional Contributions for Delivery of Legal Services to Prisoners, State Bar of California, Legal Services Section (1982)
Sacramento, California 95814
