Thomas Boland ’20 and Jordan Fruchter ’20 recently won first place in the 18^th Annual Law Student Tax Law Challenge—J.D. Division, a high-profile national competition held in January at the ABA Tax Section Midyear Meeting in New Orleans.

Boland and Fruchter, coached by Professor Danshera Cords, composed the only 2L team in New Orleans. They competed against teams from Georgetown Law, Loyola Law School of Los Angeles, University of Memphis School of Law, and University of New Mexico School of Law.

In the ABA's Tax Law Challenge—an alternative to traditional moot court competitions—students are asked to solve a complex business problem related to tax law. Six teams from more than 60 law schools across the country were selected to participate in the final J.D. Division rounds based on a research memo and client letter addressing the competition problem. In New Orleans, the final teams presented their submissions to a distinguished panel of judges from the United States Tax Court and some of the most prestigious law and accounting firms in the nation.

Boland and Fruchter joined rare company—past winners have gone on to become U.S. Tax Court Clerks and partners in well-known tax departments. The two most recent champions came from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles and Northwestern Pritzker School of Law.

"The hard work they put in researching, writing, practicing, and competing is inspiring," Professor Cords said. "I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with Thomas and Jordan. They have very much earned this honor."