Spotlight
Crowds bustling… doors closing… wheels turning … to some, the chaos of commuting by train on the east coast is tricky. For others, it’s a treasure. In Robin Gilden’s case, it’s a track way towards success.
Robin’s commitment to the world of tax began on the 7 line. During her first year of law school at Rutgers University in Camden, New Jersey, Robin faced a sinister six-hour round trip commute to and from her home in Queens, New York. It was on this brutal commute, consisting of four transfers and three long hours each way, that Robin put all of her attention and focus into tax. Day in and day out, she studied with dedication and diligence, determined to outpace the rest of her classmates. Even the conductors began to take notice of her resolve, occasionally preventing any fellow passengers from interrupting her studying. It was on these tracks that Robin began her journey of becoming the tax connoisseur she is today.
While she no longer needs the crazy commute to prove it, Robin remains one of the most dedicated tax attorneys in her areas of expertise. From federal income tax to Section 409A, Robin’s 36 year career has prepared her with a wealth of understanding in corporate tax, partnership tax, and everything in between. She’s brought years of tax and wealth planning experience not only to MSK, but to Loyola Marymount University where she enjoyed teaching partnership tax courses for seven years. Whether she’s working here in our LA office or teaching a room full of students, Robin puts in the same level of focus and grit as if she were still on that 7 line.
Experience
Legal Expertise
Tax and wealth planning, international tax, employee benefits and executive compensation, business transactions tax, tax controversies, corporate matters and healthcare.
Representative Matters
- Advised client, and drafted several of the settlement documents, in connection with the structure for the settlement of a lawsuit involving more than $250 million of commercial real estate property.
- Advised the cast of a long-running television series regarding the restructure of their talent agreements in a manner that would be compliant with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
- Advised client regarding the structure of the sale of assets of an insurance brokerage business in connection with the settlement of a judgment of divorce.
- Provided tax and corporate advice in connection with the sale of stock of a specialty medical supply distributer and subsequent rollup into a private equity fund with a value of more than $100 million.
- Represented AmeriDrive Holdings, Inc., a (MaaS) Mobility as a Service company with one of the largest private subscription fleets in North America and a presence in multiple states, in entering into a joint venture with HyreCar, Inc., a national carsharing marketplace for ridesharing, food, and package delivery via its proprietary technology platform, and obtained a loan facility in the amount of $100 Million from Credit Suisse.
- Represented Peraso, Inc., a world leader in the development of 5G mmWave silicon, in their Technology License and Patent Assignment Agreement with Intel Corporation.
Honors & Awards
- Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© in Tax Law (2019-2023) and "Lawyer of the Year" (2023)
- "Super Lawyer," Southern California Super Lawyers, 2021
- 2017 AV® Preeminent™ Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
- "Top 5% of lawyers in Southern California," Southern California Super Lawyers (2006, 2013, 2015-2019, 2022-2023)
Professional, Business and civic Affiliations
- Beverly Hills Bar Association
- Los Angeles County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Headlines
Headlines
- January 10, 2023
- Business Wire, August 23, 2022
- January 20, 2022
- August 19, 2021
- January 21, 2021
- August 20, 2020
- August 15, 2019
- February 5, 2019
- January 30, 2019
- January 16, 2019
- September 7, 2018
- August 15, 2018
- December 19, 2017
- December 19, 2017
- December 14, 2017
- January 20, 2017
- May 9, 2016
- January 20, 2016
- October 28, 2015
- June 20, 2014
Publications
- The Taxation of Deferred Compensation in Standard Service AgreementsJune 2010
- The Future of UNICAP Compliance2009
Client Alerts
- January 30, 2020
- January 17, 2018
- December 19, 2017
- September 26, 2017
- January 17, 2014
- October 2013
- Expect the Unexpected: How Section 409A Has Changed the Way Business Is Done in HollywoodMarch 1, 2012
- Use of Limited Liability Companies in Merger and Acquisition Transactions2008
- Deductibility of Medical Expenses, Premiums Depends on Entity TypeAugust 2003
Events & Speaking Engagements
- February 13, 2019
- January 26, 2016
- January 22, 2016
- September 16, 2015
- January 23, 2014
- Expect the Unexpected: How Section 409A Has Changed the Way Business Is Done in Hollywood, BNA Tax Management Advisory Board MeetingNovember 2011
- Stock Options and Other Forms of Executive CompensationNovember 2011
- Navigating Deferred Compensation in a Post-409A/Enron EnvironmentSeptember 2011
- Nuts and Bolts of Partnership TaxationJune 2011
- Deferred Compensation of IRC Section 409A and How It Impacts the Entertainment IndustrySeptember 2009
Practice Areas
Admissions
- California
- U.S. District Court
- Central District of California
- U.S. Tax Court
Education
New York University School of Law, J.D.
New York University, B.A.; magna cum laude, Phi Betta Kappa