About

Our Philosophy

We believe every client that engages our firm deserves outstanding client service at an excellent value. We are committed to consistently providing both.

Outstanding Client Service

We commonly develop close client relationships, whether they involve the resolution of tax controversy matters or tax and business planning advice. As a result, the quality of our client service is particularly important to us and to our clients. We strive to be responsive and hard-working for each of our clients.

Our attorneys frequently receive referrals from other attorneys and accountants whose clients have a specific need for tax law expertise. We complement — but do not compete with — our referral sources in resolving our mutual clients’ tax problems.

Excellent Value

When a client brings a tax matter to LeSourd & Patten, P.S. we respond with decades of relevant experience, technical expertise and a results-oriented, problem-solving approach — and we bill our time at fair and reasonable rates. When appropriate, we use skilled administrative and legal assistants as part of our client service team. We are committed to consistently providing high quality, cost-effective service to our clients.

Our Attorneys

The attorneys at LeSourd & Patten, P.S. focus on U.S. federal and Washington State tax law. By limiting the scope of our practice, we are able to provide a high level of expertise in matters of extraordinary complexity.

Three of our attorneys, Bob Kane, Rob McCallum, and Diane Tebelius, began their careers with the Department of Justice, Tax Division, where they represented the IRS in civil and/or criminal tax litigation throughout the United States. Sandra Veliz spent thirteen years with IRS Office of Chief Counsel and tried many cases before the U.S. Tax Court. Rich interned at the IRS Office of Chief Counsel during law school. Diane also worked as an Assistant United States Attorney in Seattle and Darek interned with the United States Attorneys Office in Spokane. Rod is an inactive Certified Public Accountant, and Judd, Rob, Bob, Diane, Darek, and Rich hold LL.M. degrees (Master of Laws) in taxation.

Our attorneys frequently speak on tax law topics before various professional groups. We also teach tax courses at area universities, including the University of Washington (Foster School of Business Master of Professional Accounting (MPAcc) program), Golden Gate University (Graduate Tax Program, Seattle Campus and CyberCampus), Seattle University School of Law.

Our History

The Founders — A Brief History

In 1954, Fran LeSourd brought twenty years of experience as a tax attorney to a major trial in the United States District Court in Seattle. His client, an accountant for a large dairy products company, was on trial for tax evasion. The owner of the company was also charged. Woolvin Patten, a special prosecutor for the Internal Revenue Service who had achieved a national reputation trying tax cases, represented the government.

The trial lasted 100 days. Mr. LeSourd’s client was acquitted, although Mr. Patten succeeded in convicting the owner of the dairy products company. Each lawyer found the other’s performance so impressive that in 1955 they agreed to become partners and established their own firm in Seattle. The firm that resulted, and which exists today, has earned a reputation as one of the leading tax firms in the Pacific Northwest.