Douglas Smith ’02 Named Public Service Fellow by ABA
The American Bar Association Section of Taxation has named Douglas Smith ‘ 02 to serve as one of two Public Service Fellows. Smith, currently a lawyer in private practice in Lancaster, PA., has committed to two years of tax-related public service with the Community Action Program of Lancaster County, where he will develop a low-income taxpayer clinic to serve the population in southeast and central Pennsylvania.
He will be assisting clients in controversy matters, providing education and tax services to immigrant and low-income taxpayers, working with English as a Second Language and elderly taxpayers on tax issues relevant to their needs, increasing the public service involvement of private attorneys, and training other legal service attorneys in tax law.
“Having a low income taxpayer clinic available to our clients will greatly enhance the breadth and depth of services we’re able to provide to low-income taxpayers in southeast and central Pennsylvania,” said Mark Esterbrook, CEO of the Community Action Program of Lancaster County. “We currently provide income tax preparation services, but there is a tremendous need in the area of tax controversy assistance,” he said. “Doug brings a great deal of experience, along with a strong commitment to public service work,” Esterbrook continued. “His efforts through this fellowship will have a significant impact on the lives of low-income taxpayers in this area.”
The Public Service Fellowships were developed in 2008 to address the need for tax legal assistance, and to foster an interest in tax-related public service among those individuals who participate. The fellowships provide funding for the Fellows’ salaries and benefits, as well as law school debt assistance, by means of charitable contributions to the sponsoring organizations.
