Sicily MalevaKiesel

Sicily Maleva Kiesel focuses her practice on cross-border investigations by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), as well as securities litigation and tax disputes.

Sicily has experience conducting investigations in Mainland China into potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and large-scale compliance issues. Her contributions to publications encompass a range of topics, including anti-money laundering, sanctions violations, and securities litigation. Sicily has worked on merger litigation in California state court, where the application of Delaware law raised significant conflict of laws issues.

Sicily's practice includes tax controversy matters in the United States Tax Court and in state courts. Her matters have included disputes related to the economic substance of multiple transactions and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) imposition of accuracy-related penalties, conservation easement valuations, and state sales tax disputes.

Sicily maintains a diverse pro bono practice, ranging from local tax counseling to international law. Sicily has assisted religious entities in obtaining California property tax exemptions, aided outdoor education nonprofits in obtaining federal tax-exempt status, and helped land trusts navigate conservation easement issues related to state tax laws and the Marketable Record Title Act (MRTA).