Morgan Lewis Strengthens Leading Tax-Exempt Organizations Team with Addition of Former IRS Special Counsel Randall Thomas

WASHINGTON, DC, October 13, 2025: Morgan Lewis further deepens its bench of former government officials with the addition of Randall Thomas, who most recently served as special counsel at the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Joining as a partner in the Washington, DC office, Randall brings broad regulatory and tax policy expertise to the firm’s market-leading tax-exempt organizations practice.

“Randall brings a sharp policy lens and seasoned judgment at a pivotal moment for US tax policy,” said Firm Chair Jami McKeon. “His perspective and government service experience further enhance our ability to provide our clients with valuable insight into today’s regulatory decision-making as well as the broader policy shifts shaping the future of the tax-exempt sector.”

Randall held several roles during his tenure at the IRS, advising on a wide range of tax matters related to tax-exempt organizations and charitable giving. Randall has counseled the Justice Department’s Tax and Appellate Divisions and the Solicitor General’s Office on high-impact litigation involving exempt organizations and charitable giving, while also supporting IRS audit teams and responding to inquiries from Congress and other federal agencies. At Morgan Lewis, Randall will concentrate on advancing the firm’s tax-exempt organizations and broader tax capabilities, complementing the group’s work across regulatory, compliance, and litigation matters.

“With his unique blend of technical depth and broad experience advising on complex tax issues, particularly in the tax-exempt organizations space, Randall adds immediate value to our tax practice, said Bart Bassett, leader of the firm’s global tax practice. “His versatility and intricate familiarity with IRS processes, shaped by years of senior government experience, will strengthen our ability to guide clients through evolving rules, manage litigation risks, and pursue long-term planning challenges.”

Morgan Lewis’s tax-exempt organizations practice is nationally recognized by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 for its depth, versatility, and long-standing service to the nonprofit sector. Since the firm’s founding in 1873, its lawyers have advised philanthropists and the nonprofit institutions they establish—including foundations, universities, hospitals, cultural organizations, and advocacy groups—on a full range of formation, governance, compliance, and investment matters. The team counsels clients on complex regulatory and tax issues, IRS audits, and policy engagement, drawing on multidisciplinary experience across employment, intellectual property, corporate, and litigation practices.