Kristen Chang Winckler Joins Ropes & Gray’s Highly Ranked Tax Practice in New York

Global law firm Ropes & Gray announced today that Kristen Chang Winckler has joined the firm’s tax practice as a partner in New York.

Ms. Winckler is a seasoned tax attorney who has been practicing in New York for 18 years and joins Ropes & Gray from Paul Hastings in New York, where she was a partner.

Clients will benefit from Ms. Winckler’s experience advising alternative investment and management firms on the tax aspects of real estate-related private investment fund formation, operation and investment by non-U.S. and tax-exempt investors; and the organization and operation of public and private, debt- and equity-focused real estate investment trusts (REITs). She also regularly represents clients on capital market transactions, including U.S. and non-U.S. equity and debt securities offerings; domestic and cross-border joint ventures; and mergers, acquisitions and restructurings.

“Kristen Winckler is a highly skilled tax attorney who brings with her a sophisticated level of real estate fund and investment experience particularly in the REIT space, which will expand the scope of services we offer to our clients,” said partner Elaine Murphy, head of Ropes & Gray’s tax practice. “We are pleased to welcome Kristen to the firm.”

Ms. Winckler received her LL.M. from New York University School of Law, her J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law and her A.B. from Dartmouth College.

“I am excited to join a talented and experienced team at Ropes & Gray,” said Ms. Winckler. “The caliber of the firm’s tax attorneys and the opportunities to work with other practice groups and across different specialties are what attracted me to the firm.”

Ranked highly in Chambers USA, the most prestigious law firm directory in the United States, Ropes & Gray’s tax practice focuses on domestic and cross-border tax planning for clients in connection with the structuring of transactions; the organization of debt and equity funds; cross-border tax matters; investments in private funds by institutional investors; developing effective tax strategies; and advising on tax controversy issues.

With more than 300 lawyers in New York, Ropes & Gray is one of the 20 largest law firms in the city. The firm has expanded its presence in New York significantly in the past two years with the addition of nine lateral partners, including Ms. Winckler. She is the fourth high-profile lateral partner to join in 2016, following David Blittner, who joined the firm’s private equity practice in April; Gregg Galardi, who joined the business restructuring practice in February; and Michael Littenberg, who joined the securities & public companies practice in January.

“We are excited to have Kristen join us,” said Eva Carman, co-managing partner of the firm’s New York office. “Her track record as a tax attorney focused on real estate is impressive, and her strong experience will prove incredibly valuable to our clients in New York and around the world.”