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Alison Maxwell

Alison Maxwell

Partner

US Chair, Tax Practice

Alison is a proactive and forward-thinking adviser, seeing the bigger picture while maintaining an eye for detail.
Chambers USA
About

Alison (Ali) Maxwell concentrates her practice in international tax with a focus on operational structuring, global expansion, transfer pricing, valuations, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, post-acquisition integration, and legal entity rationalization.

Alison has assisted a wide range of clients, from startups to multibillion-dollar multinationals, with their day-to-day operations, intercompany arrangements, acquisitions, cross-border financing, integrating legal entities and ensuring that the final international structure efficiently meets both US and foreign compliance requirements as well as aligns with all non-tax objectives (e.g., employment, IP, regulatory).

Alison is a frequent speaker on international tax and international corporate reorganization (ICR) matters. She is the Chair of the US Tax Practice and formerly served as the Co-Chair for the firm's National Leadership Alliance for Women (LAW) as well as Managing Partner of the Seattle office. She is also the coach of her sons' baseball teams.

Bar admissionsCaliforniaWashingtonWisconsin
Education
  • J.D., The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law
  • B.S., International Business, University of Akron

Awards and recognitions

Legal 500 United States

  • Leading Lawyer, International Tax (2023-2024)
    "Alison Maxwell has great knowledge of our pending matters and our company. She combines technical knowledge with the ability to translate it into pragmatic advice." – Client, The Legal 500 2024
    "Alison Maxwell has been our go to partner. She is willing to make sure we get what need on large or small projects. It’s always about making sure the client is satisfied." – Client, The Legal 500 2023
    "Alison Maxwell, client partner, did an outstanding job. She assembled a top team of experts across several different domains in the US and international team. She led the engagement and efficiently determined when to get involved to ensure a smooth, quality and efficient product that met her clients' expectations. She was very good at listening to her client and making adjustments to deliver the planned outcome. She coached team members to make course corrections and looped in expert resources with the appropriate skill sets at the right time." – Client, The Legal 500 2023

Chambers USA

  • Band 3, Washington: Tax (2024)
    "She is a strong talent." – Client, Chambers USA 2024

International Tax Review World Transfer Pricing

  • Recognized as Highly Regarded, General Corporate Tax (2025 edition)
Other Recognitions
  • Short list, Euromoney Legal Media Group Americas Rising Star Award (2018)
  • 40 Under 40 Honoree, Puget Sound Business Journal (2016)
  • Washington Rising Star (2014 – 2019)

Bylines

  • "Six Key Considerations for a Successful Post-Acquisition Integration," Tax Notes International, April 8, 2019

Seminars

  • ''International Tax and Trade Policy Roundtable,'' held by Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle and DLA Piper, September 2015

Media Mentions

  • "DLA Piper Elevates 5 Attys To Office Managing Partner Roles," Law360, March 4, 2021
  • "UK's digital tax plan could complicate things for Silicon Valley," Corporate Counsel, November 2, 2018

Prior Experience

Prior to joining the firm, Alison worked in Deloitte's San Francisco tax office, where she focused on international tax matters including tax planning, provision and compliance.

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