Professor Samantha Galvin Named Director of Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
The University of Denver Sturm College of Law announced Samantha Galvin, associate professor of the practice of taxation, as the new director of University of Denver Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC).
Professor Galvin joined the Denver Law faculty in 2013, having previously received her JD and LLM in Taxation from the University of Denver, clerked on the U.S. Tax Court and worked as an associate at an employee-benefits and executive-compensation consulting firm. In addition to teaching the Graduate Tax Program, she currently writes for a prominent blog, Procedurally Taxing, that addresses developments in the U.S. Tax Court.
Galvin also served as assistant director of LITC, working closely with students and clients, prior to taking the director role.
“Serving as director is just an amazing opportunity, and I’m thrilled the university believed in me to fill this role. I’m excited for the challenge,” Galvin said.
Since 1984, LITC has provided individuals with low incomes (those with an annual gross income of approximately $30,000 or less) with free legal services for tax issues.
In addition, it offers students hands-on experience handling IRS forms, participating in research and making arguments for their clients. Participation in the clinic creates a multidisciplinary network that lasts long after graduation.
In the 2018-19 academic year, 27 students participated in the clinic, and their work saved their clients well over $1.3 million.
According to Galvin, the clinic will continue to represent clients before the IRS, though it will no longer prepare tax returns going forward. Instead, she and students will focus more efforts on community outreach and education, including public information sessions.
“We really want to give people the tools to fix their tax problems, and it will ultimately help us to expand the number of people we are able to assist, even if we aren’t directly representing them,” Galvin said.
To help fulfill this goal, the clinic has welcomed Visiting Assistant Professor of the Practice of Taxation Sabrina Strand, a Graduate Tax Program LLM alumna and past LITC student attorney, to assist students and clients.
“She approaches issues from a different angle, and that presents numerous opportunities for our students to grow,” Galvin said.
Learn more about LITC and its mission on the Denver Law website.
