They're crowing over there at the Tax LL.M and in the Dean's office, because President Obama has nominated Michael Mundaca, LL.M. ’97, to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Tax Policy.
The official UM Law release says in part,
“This is the most important position in tax policy in the United States,” said Dean Patricia D. White, a tax scholar. “We are delighted to see a graduate of our LL.M. program succeed in this way.”
Reacting to the appointment, UM Law Professor George Mundstock, who taught Mundaca, said, “One of the great things about being at the University of Miami is that the city and university help us attract such interesting and talented students. Michael was a remarkable student who took advantage of all we have to offer. We are proud of his achievements.”
Before his appointment in the Treasury Department in 2007, Mundaca was a partner for five years in the International Tax Services group of Ernst and Young in Washington, D.C. Before joining Ernst and Young, Mundaca served for over five years in the Treasury's Office of the International Tax Counsel during the Clinton Administration.
He received a B.A. in philosophy and in physics from Columbia University in 1986, and an M.A. in philosophy from the University of Chicago in 1988. Mundaca also received a J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law in 1992, and an LL.M. in taxation (international tax specialization) from the University of Miami.
Professor Frances Hill, the Director of the UM Graduate Program in Taxation, said, “Mr. Mundaca will play a critical role in the international tax reforms at the heart of the Obama Administration’s tax agenda. We are very proud of Mr. Mundaca’s professional accomplishments. He is an inspiration to our current students, many of whom are interested in public service.”
Mr. Mundaca replaces my former co-clerk Beth Garrett of USC as the Obama nominee for the job; Beth withdrew her name at some point as the confirmation process dragged on and on. Here's hoping that they manage to wrap things up more quickly this time.
