Michael goller

Michael G. Goller

Shareholder

Milwaukee
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Michael Goller is a shareholder in Reinhart's Corporate and Tax Departments, where he served as Tax Department Chair for more than 10 years. He leverages his more than three decades of experience, accounting degree and strong relationships within the IRS and various State Departments of Revenue to be an especially effective lawyer. He assists clients with federal and state tax controversy, tax litigation and tax planning.

Michael's clients vary from large public corporations to mid-sized, private businesses. He's a self-described "tax geek who litigates," pairing his outgoing personality with extensive, detailed knowledge and a dedicated work ethic. He represents clients involved in complex disputes with the IRS, the U.S. Department of Justice and various other authorities and has an impressive track record of favorable settlements.

He is the co-author of Federal Tax Practice and Procedure (CCH). Michael enjoys sharing his expertise through writing and speaking engagements on a variety of tax controversy, litigation and planning topics. He is a longtime faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Lubar School of Business and teaches Tax Practice and Procedure in the Graduate Tax Program.

Outside the office, he enjoys cooking haute cuisine, having taken cooking classes in both Italy and France. In fact, over the years, Michael has raised significant funds for a variety of charities by auctioning his services as a chef. He spends time with his wife and daughter, plays golf and loves to travel.

Education

  • J.D., cum laude, Marquette University Law School
  • B.S., Marquette University (Accounting)

Bar Admissions

Wisconsin

Practices
Services

Matters

  • Using his experience and insight into the workings of the IRS to obtain highly favorable settlements for corporate and individual taxpayers
  • Working with corporate tax directors to develop trial strategies and settlement approaches in complex tax audits and litigation
  • Resolving complex succession issues and handling estate and gift tax matters for closely held businesses and their owners
  • Resolving and litigating tax cases ranging from complex valuation issues, defending the revocation of the exempt status for not-for-profit entities, handling complex employment tax cases or challenging the validity of an IRS Treasury regulation

Honors & Affiliations

Honors

  • Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year, Litigation & Controversy Law - Tax (2014)
  • Best Lawyers in America® – Litigation & Controversy - Tax; Tax Law
  • Selected for inclusion in Wisconsin Super Lawyers
  • Wisconsin Top Rated Lawyer Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
  • Gold Star Teaching Award, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Lubar School of Business
Affiliations
  • Milwaukee Bar Association
  • State Bar of Wisconsin

News & Insights

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Presentations

  • “Hot Tax Practice, Procedure and Ethics Issues,” 76th Annual State Bar of Wisconsin Tax School (December 4, 2025)
  • “Hot Tax Practices, Procedures and Ethics Issues and Their Impact on the Practitioner,” Wisconsin Institute of CPAs - 2025 Accounting and Auditing Conference (November 20, 2025)
  • “Hot Tax Practice, Procedure and Ethics Issues and Their Impact on the Practitioner,” Wisconsin Institute of CPAs – 2025 Annual Tax Conference (November 10, 2025)
  • “Hot Tax Practice, Procedures and Ethics Issues and their Impact on the Industry Practitioner,” Wisconsin Institute of CPAs 2025 Business and Industry Fall Conference (September 5, 2025)
  • "Hot Tax Practice & Procedure & Ethics Issues," 2024 WICPA Tax Conference (November 2024)
  • "Ethical Obligations for Attorneys and Tax Professionals - Hot Tax Ethics Issues for 2021 and Beyond," 58th Annual Heart of America Tax Institute (November 4, 2021)
  • "Tax Update Workshop," Ozaukee County Tax Program (February 2018)
  • "Hot IRS Issues, Identity Theft and Beyond," Milwaukee Estate Planning Forum (December 2015)
  • "Client Information and the IRS: Security and Obligation with Client Data," WICPA Seminar Series (November 2015)
  • "Hot IRS Practice Procedures and Tax Ethics Issues," Heart of America Tax Institute (November 2015)
  • "Tax Ethics Update," WICPA Seminar Series (September and October 2015)
  • "Ten Practice and Procedure Pitfalls That Must Be Avoided," WICPA Seminar Series (September 2015)
  • "Circular 230 Meets the Transfer Tax: Hot Tax Planning Issues," AICPA Advanced Estate Planning Conference (July 2015)

Publications