"Divya helps large and small businesses understand and comply with new and complex tax regulations and controversies."
Divya Jeswant practices with the Federal Tax and State and Local Tax groups. She assists a wide range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, Fortune 100 companies, small and medium businesses, and individuals, with their tax advisory, planning, audit, and controversy matters. Divya is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law.
Prior to joining Kean Miller, Divya had more than ten years of experience in Mumbai, India representing and advising multinational and local clients in tax-related matters.
Representative Experience
- Representation of a large publicly traded gaming company that resulted in favorable guidance from the Louisiana Department of Revenue on the taxability of complimentary services.
- Representation of a client in the healthcare sector that resulted in a favorable Private Letter Ruling from the Texas Comptroller's Office affirming the nontaxability of certain insurance related automated services.
- Representation of a real estate rental client that resulted in significant property tax savings on a large corporate office building.
- Representation of a client in the financial sector that resulted in significant property tax savings on derelict foreclosure properties.
- Representation of a client in the oil and gas sector that resulted in the elimination of federal tax reporting penalties.
- Representation of multiple clients that resulted in successfully obtaining formal or informal voluntary disclosure agreements with the state and locals.
Education
- New York University School of Law, LL.M. in Taxation, 2022
- Convenor, Moot Court Society
- Semi-Finalist, Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition
- Recipient, Eighth Best Oralist, Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition
- Winning Team Participant, D.M. Harish International Moot Court Competition
- National Law School of India University, B.A/LL.B., honors, 2009
Admissions
- Louisiana
- New York
- Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa, India
Memberships
- Member, New Orleans Bar Association
- Member, Louisiana State Bar Association
- Member, New York State Bar Association
- Member, American Bar Association (Taxation Section)
- Member, Federal Bar Association
- Member, Association for Women Attorneys (New Orleans)
Articles, Publications and Presentations
- "U.S. Supreme Court Affirms Constitutionality of Mandatory Repatriation Tax, Ends Chevron Deference," Louisiana Bar Journal, October/November 2024
- "Tax Sale Procedure Violates Takings Clause," Louisiana Bar Journal, June/July 2024
- "Louisiana Remote Sellers Commission Issues Estimated Notices of Assessment and Notices of Intent to Assess With Rapidly Approaching Appeal Deadlines," Louisiana Law Blog, October 7, 2024
- "The Tangible Tax Benefits of Excluding Intangibles," Co-Author, Capital Markets Newsletter, Commercial Property Executive, June 5, 2024
- "Tennessee Budget Item Highlights Louisiana Franchise Tax Issue," Co-Author, Tax Notes State, March 25, 2024
- "Battle in the Bayou: Current Developments in Intangibles in Hotel Valuation," 2024 ABA-IPT Advanced Tax Seminars, March 13, 2024
- "Privilege in Tax Practice: Avoiding Traps for the Unwary," Co-Presenter, National Association of State Bar Tax Sections Annual Conference, September 30, 2023
- "Tax Developments from the 2023 Regular Legislative Session," Co-Author, Louisiana State Bar Association & Louisiana Bar Journal, September 2023
- "Louisiana Tax Developments - The Regular Legislative Session," Louisiana Law Blog, July 11, 2023
- "A Pictorial Guide to the National Pork Producers Council Decision," Co-Author, Tax Notes State, June 26, 2023
- "Resolving the Latest Tax Complications of a Remote Workforce," Co-Presenter, American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education Webcast February 8, 2023
- "Four Years of GST in India: Sizing up the Landmark Tax Reform," Bloomberg Tax, July 22, 2021
- "Software and technology under the Indian export control regime," Institute of Export & International Trade, UK, May 18, 2021
- "GST: Lessons from the past and the road ahead," Economic Times Insights, January 12, 2021
- "Key Rulings Under Indirect Tax Laws: A GST Perspective," The Chamber of Tax Consultants, Wolters Kluwer, 2018
Community Service
- Board Secretary, Women's Professional Council (New Orleans)
- Habitat for Humanity Build Annual Bench and Bar Build (New Orleans, 2022)
- Pro Bono Work, Center for Taxpayer Rights