"Navigating the complexities of state and local tax laws, the dynamics of incentives, and the nuances of political strategy with expertise, integrity, and a commitment to delivering impactful results."
Phyllis Sims is a Certified Public Accountant who joined the firm in 2000 and practices in the administrative, governmental, legislative, energy, and tax practice groups.
Phyllis practices primarily in the state and local tax area with an emphasis on state and local tax planning, property tax litigation, sales/use tax disputes, incentive programs, and legislative matters. She represents local, state, national, and international clients in a wide variety of taxation, energy, legislative, incentive, and regulatory matters.
- Lead trial and appellate counsel for multiple oil and gas companies to contest ad valorem (property) tax assessments, including trials before the Louisiana Tax Commission and subsequent appeals for judicial review.
- Representation of interstate natural gas pipelines in a commerce clause challenge to the method used to value interstate pipelines for ad valorem tax purposes.
- Representation of the Louisiana Chemical Association as tax counsel, including serving on the LCA Governmental Affairs Committee and Tax Sub-Committee. The LCA represents Louisiana's chemical industry at the Capitol and in connection with the activities of regulatory agencies.
- Representation of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association as tax and legislative counsel, including serving as Chair of the Tax Committee.
- Representation of Bayer (formerly Monsanto Corp.), a worldwide agriculture and healthcare company, as governmental relations counsel.
- Representation of a Texas-based worldwide tax consulting firm as governmental relations and tax counsel.
- Representation of a nationwide renewable energy company as tax and governmental relations counsel.
- Representation of a variety of small and large companies in connection with the Louisiana Industrial Tax Exemption program and other incentive programs.
- Representation of Louisiana entertainment industry investment/tax credit finance companies.
- Representation of financial institutions in connection with production lending and tax credit financing.
- Lobbying and active involvement in drafting, modifications, and re-enactments of the Louisiana Motion Picture Incentive Act
- Representation of the state-of-the art water filming production facility located in Shreveport, Louisiana
- Representation of various film and television production studios in the state of Louisiana, including the largest studio in the state located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
- Lobbying and active involvement with the passage of legislation enacting the Louisiana Digital Media Act and subsequent revisions of the Act designed to encourage development in Louisiana of a strong capital base for the production of digital interactive media.
- Representation of various digital media and software development companies throughout the state of Louisiana.
- LSU Law Center, J.D., 2000
- Southern Arkansas University, B.B.A., cum laude, 1991
- Louisiana
- Texas
- Wyoming
- Member, Baton Rouge Bar Association
- Member, Louisiana State Bar Association
- Member, State Bar of Texas
- Member, Wyoming State Bar
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Federal Bar Association
- Member, Society of Louisiana CPAs
- Member, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
- Member, Louisiana Association of Tax Representatives
- Member, Louisiana Oil and Gas Association
- Member, LSU Center for Internal Auditing
- Member, Texas Oil and Gas Association
- "Capitol Champions," Louisiana CPA Lagniappe, March 2019
- "Overview of the 2024 Louisiana Tax Reform Special Session," Kean Miller Business Briefing, March 27, 2025
- "Overview of the 2024 Louisiana Tax Reform Special Session," Kean Miller Lunch and Learn, February 13, 2025
- "Overview of the 2024 Louisiana Tax Reform Special Session," Kean Miller Breakfast Briefing, January 30, 2025
- "2024 Louisiana Special Session Tax Reform Update," Co-Presenter, Independent Salt Alliance Meeting, January 13, 2025
- "2024 Tax Reform – Property Tax Update," Presenter, LSBA Tax Section / LDR Liaison Meeting, December 13, 2024
- "ITEP, Property Taxes, and Ad Valorem Taxes," Panelist, Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants State and Local Tax Workshop, August 9, 2024
- "Energy & Environmental Highlights of the 2024 Louisiana Legislative Session," Louisiana Law Blog, August 1, 2024
- "2023 Louisiana Tax and Incentive Legislative Developments," Co-Presenter, Kean Miller Breakfast Briefing, August 29, 2023
- "Property Taxpayers – Check your Proposed Assessments Before the Deadline!," Louisiana Law Blog, August 9, 2023
- "Latest Energy and Environmental Law Developments in the 2023 Louisiana Legislative Session," Louisiana Law Blog, July 18, 2023
- "Louisiana Tax Developments – The 2023 Regular Legislative Session," Louisiana Law Blog, July 11, 2023
- "Property Taxpayers – New Legislation Means You Should Check Your Proposed Assessments Before the Deadline!," Louisiana Law Blog, August 9, 2022
- "The Shifting Landscape of Property Taxation in Louisiana," LSU Journal of Energy Law and Resources, Volume 10, Issue 2, Summer 2022
- "Kean Miller Wins Major Property Tax Case at Louisiana Supreme Court," Louisiana Law Blog, October 21, 2020
- "Update: Certain Uncertainties Resolved by SBA Regarding Payroll Costs of Partnerships and Sole Proprietors Applying for CARES Act Payroll Protection Program Loans," Louisiana Law Blog, April 15, 2020
- "Traps for the Unwary: Not All State Tax Deadlines Have Been Extended," Louisiana Law Blog, April 15, 2020
- "Uncertainties Created by Tax and Accounting Issues Raised by the Paycheck Protection Program in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act," Louisiana Law Blog, April 2, 2020
- "Tax Related Employment and Employee Benefits Changes in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act," Louisiana Law Blog, April 1, 2020
- "Tax and Accounting Implications of the $2 Trillion Stimulus to Assist Individuals and Businesses Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic," Louisiana Law Blog, March 27, 2020
- "Louisiana Sales and Use Tax rate Changes Cut the Additional Temporary Penny and Raise the Rate on Business Utilities – Effective July 1, 2018," Louisiana Law Blog, June 26, 2018
- "Louisiana Department of Revenue Issuing Arm’s Length Transfer Pricing Adjustments," Louisiana Law Blog, January 4, 2018
- "2017 Louisiana Regular Legislative Session Ends on a Rather Anticlimactic Note," Louisiana Law Blog, June 23, 2017