"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 outcomes."
Phyllis Sims is a Certified Public Accountant who joined the firm’s Baton Rouge and Houston offices in 2000 and practices in the administrative, governmental, legislative, energy, and tax practice groups. She is a Board Certified Tax Law Specialist, certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization.
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.
“ITEP, Property Taxes, and Ad Valorem Taxes,” Panelist, Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants State and Local Tax Workshop, August 9, 2024
“2023 Louisiana Tax and Incentive Legislative Developments,” Co-Presenter, Kean Miller Breakfast Briefing, August 29, 2023
“The Shifting Landscape of Property Taxation in Louisiana,” LSU Journal of Energy Law and Resources, Volume 10, Issue 2, Summer 2022
Memberships
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
Co-Chair (Taxation & Economic Development Policy Committee), Ellevate Louisiana
LSU Law Center, J.D., 2000
Southern Arkansas University, B.B.A., cum laude, 1991
Bar Admissions
Louisiana
Texas
Wyoming
“Capitol Champions,” Louisiana CPA Lagniappe, March 2019
Experience
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.
