James J. Keightley is a partner in the law firm of Keightley & Ashner LLP. He served as General Counsel of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation from 1995 to 2005. In that role, Jim supervised all litigation, regulatory, and advisory matters arising under the PBGC’s termination insurance program. Since the General Counsel lawyers represent the agency independent of the Department of Justice, he was extensively involved in major bankruptcies and litigation in the Courts of Appeal as well as the Supreme Court of the United States.

Previously, Jim had a long career at the Internal Revenue Service, most recently as Special Counsel for Large Cases from 1991-1995 and Associate Chief Counsel for Litigation from 1982-1991. In those positions, he played a key role in substantive and procedural litigation for the largest and most significant cases in the Tax Court, as well as refund forums, including the United States Court of Federal Claims.

Jim was on the ALI-ABA faculty from 1986-1994 on “How to Handle a Tax Controversy at the IRS and in the Tax Court.” He was a visiting lecturer at the University of Virginia Law School in 1986, 1997, and 1998 on tax procedure and retirement financing. Jim was also a founding member and Master of the J. Edgar Murdock Inn of Court (Tax Court) from 1988-1996, and has served as a member of the United States Court of Federal Claims Advisory Council since 1985. He is a member of the bars of the District of Columbia and of Virginia.

Contact information:

James J. Keightley
Keightley & Ashner LLP
700 12th Street, N.W., Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone: (202) 558-5146
Fax: (202) 558-5151
Email: jimkeightley@keightleyashner.com