Independent SALT Alliance National Network of State and Local Tax Experts

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Member Biography - Michael J. Semes - Partner

Michael J. Semes
Blank Rome, LLP
One Logan Square
130 North 18th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 569-5476
Fax: (215) 832-5476
E-Mail: semes@blankrome.com

Michael Semes focuses his practice on state and local tax litigation and planning with particular experience in the energy and utility sector. Prior to joining Blank Rome, Mr. Semes served as chief counsel to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and was also a partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

He counsels clients with respect to:

• state and local tax litigation in the mid-Atlantic region
  
• public securitization transactions
  
• disposition of special purpose investments
  
• tax planning projects for energy and utility clients
  
• structuring and planning advice on energy company mergers
  
• compensation and retirement plan tax issues
  

Because of his extensive transactional experience in dealing with state regulatory, FERC, NRC, and PUHCA matters, Mr. Semes is frequently called upon to assist public utilities and independent power producers with their most significant tax planning and controversy matters. He is often asked by news networks including CNN and Fox News to comment on tax issues, and has delivered lectures to a variety of organizations such as the Tax Executives Institute, the Pennsylvania Electric Association, Edison Electric Institute, American Gas Association, the National Business Institute, and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. A prolific author on state tax topics, Mr. Semes' articles appear frequently in WorldTrade Executive, State Tax Notes, Electric Utility Fortnightly, and numerous other publications. He serves on the Tax Advisory Board of WorldTrade Executive. Mr. Semes was elected to Madison Who's Who Among Executives and Professionals, and for inclusion into the upcoming 2006-2007 "Honors Edition" of the registry.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

• Advised on multi-state tax aspects of multi-billion dollar energy company mergers
  
• Developed and implemented strategic multi-state tax options in connection with utility deregulation
  
• Represented clients in state tax controversies in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Ohio
  
• Provided multi-state tax advice in connection with acquisition of nuclear power plants
  

COMMUNITY SERVICE & AFFILIATIONS

Prior to his career in law, Mr. Semes was a professional musician, playing bass with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Ballet and Opera Orchestra, and the Canton Philharmonic Orchestra in Ohio.

Education
Villanova University School of Law, JD 1990
Carnegie Mellon University, MFA 1981
Duquesne University, BA 1979