He's the Tax Man

Paul Cherecwich Jr. JD '71 was only one year into his five-year term on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Oversight Board when he suddenly found himself leading it. When the former chairman stepped down for professional reasons last November, Cherecwich was nominated for the prestigious position of running the board that oversees the IRS in its administration of the tax laws passed by Congress. He will sit at the helm of the nine-member board for a two-year term during what he notes is an exciting time to be chairman.

"The IRS has been a good government agency, but it needs to make that leap in performance to make it a great one," he notes.

That's where Cherecwich comes in. During his tenure, he will focus on improving tax law enforcement, modernizing systems, upgrading human capital management practices, and improving customer service.

"The IRS comes into contact with more Americans than any other agency," says the Salt Lake City, Utah, resident. "So I'm very concerned that it provide an appropriate level of customer service."

Prior to his most recent appointment, Cherecwich had a long, distinguished career in tax law. He worked for three Fortune 500 companies, retiring in 2000 from Cordant Technologies Inc. as vice president of tax and tax counsel, and then joined the law firm of Miller & Chevalier Chartered as of counsel until retiring in 2004. Cherecwich also has participated in many professional groups and has served on the boards of many charitable organizations.

He attributes his years at Suffolk Law and its supportive network of alumni for his successes.

"Suffolk Law taught me how to think and analyze a situation," he says, "and to recognize that there are two sides to every story. And thus, I learned how to advocate on behalf of a wide variety of clients."

- Lauren Walser

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