Pacific Tax Institute 2025 IN PERSON

Aaron Johnson, Shareholder, Tax Attorney & Professor, Ballard Spahr

Aaron is a partner at Ballard Spahr Lane Powell in Seattle, WA, where he co-leads the firm’s SALT team and represents multinational, U.S., and regional businesses in SALT matters including tax litigation, audit defense, appeals, planning and structuring tax efficient transactions. Previously, he was an experienced tax manager at PwC where he managed a multistate practice and tax controversies, a judicial law clerk, stockbroker and financial advisor, and an enlisted U.S. Army Soldier. He is the WA Bar SALT Committee Chair, a member of the Legislative and founder of the Tax DEI committee; on the ABA SALT Executive Committee; and teaches tax at UW School of Law. He previously taught corp. tax at UW Foster and fed. tax at SPU (20-21 prof. of the year). Aaron is an appointed member of the WA DOR’s Business Advisory Council and an advisory member to the Assoc. of WA Bus. (AWB).

Brett Durbin, Ballard Spahr

Brett S. Durbin counsels clients on SALT issues spanning both transactional and litigation matters, including general business planning and representing clients before state tax agencies, the Washington State Board of Tax Appeals, and all levels of courts across the state. Brett’s experience includes serving as the Assistant Attorney General for the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, where he represented the Washington State DOR. He is the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Tax Section’s Legislative Chair and past Section Chair, and he is on the ABA Tax Section SALT Executive Committee, where he is the Co-Chair of both the Model Tax Tribunal Taskforce and the Website Committee. For tax litigation and controversy, he was voted as the 2023 “Seattle Lawyer of the Year,” is listed as one of The Best Lawyers in America®, and has been awarded the Excellence Award from the Institute for Professionals in Taxation. He received his B.A. from Western Washington University and his J.D. from the University of Washington.

George Koutelieris, Johnson & Shute PS

4.93 stars out of 5

“These 2 rock. [They are] prepared and knowledgeable.”
“George & Greg always do a great job! They are always super helpful.” - past attendees

George Koutelieris, CPA, is a shareholder with the firm Johnson & Shute P.S. He subsequently received his Master’s in Taxation from Golden Gate University graduating with Highest Honors in 2010 and being awarded the Outstanding Graduate Tax Student Award for the Seattle campus of Golden Gate. He is currently an Adjunct Professor at Golden Gate University teaching various tax courses. George’s practice includes planning and consulting on complex transactions including formations, liquidations, mergers and acquisitions, purchase and sales, multi-state and international tax for closely held businesses and their owners. In addition, George provides compliance and representation services before the IRS and various state taxing agencies for clients. George is also an active speaker on various tax topics, having presented in the past for Golden Gate University, the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the Oregon Society of Certified Public Accountants. George Koutelieris and Greg White are available to teach in-house courses in tandem for company CPE needs.

4.96 stars out of 5
“These 2 rock. [They are] prepared and knowledgeable.”
“George & Greg always do a great job! They are always super helpful.” - past attendees

Greg White, CPA, has practiced tax accounting for more than 35 years. He is founder, shareholder, and President of CPA firm WGN, P.S. in Seattle, Washington, which serves a successful entrepreneurial client base. He also owns and operates State of the Art Tax, LLC, a tax education company. Greg is in his twelfth year as an Adjunct Professor at the Golden Gate University’s Seattle Campus. Greg is licensed to practice in and has argued cases before the U.S. Tax Court. He has been named a “Top 50” IRS Practitioner by CPA Magazine. Greg has extensively presented tax CPE, predominantly on the west coast, over the last decade and has written and presented live courses and webinars for CCH and others nationally. He has presented tax topics in the Pacific Northwest on TV including spots on KOMO TV and King TV.

Jen Mueller, Talk Sporty To Me

Jen Mueller pursued a career in sports broadcasting after repeated comments of “talks too much” from teachers and family members.

A 22-year sports broadcasting veteran, Jen currently serves as the Seattle Seahawks sideline radio reporter. She is also an Emmy-award winning producer and part of the Seattle Mariners and television broadcast team on ROOT Sports.

In addition to her work on the sidelines, Jen launched Talk Sporty to Me in 2009. She provides a unique twist on business communication based on her time in locker rooms and expertise in 1-on-1 conversations. Jen is the author of three books and an on-demand video series “Asking Better Questions.”

Jen graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2000 with degrees in Broadcasting Journalism and Public Policy.