Our Philosophy
    We believe every client that engages our firm deserves excellent value and outstanding client service. 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, Rob, and Diane) 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. Another (Deborah) spent twelve years with IRS District Counsel and tried many cases before the U.S. Tax Court.  Rich interned at the IRS Chief Counsel's Office in Seattle.  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, Deborah, Diane and Darek hold graduate law 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 Golden Gate University (Graduate Tax Program, Seattle Campus and CyberCampus), Seattle University School of Law, and City University.

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.

     

 

  Our Philosophy

Our Attorneys

Our History

One Union Square, 600 University Street, Suite 2401, Seattle, WA 98101  |  Phone: 206.624.1040  |  Fax: 206.223.1099