Mark Buchi of Holland & Hart LLP in Salt Lake City provides seasoned and effective counsel to clients on complex tax disputes and litigates significant cases before administrative agencies, the state tax courts and appellate courts. Prior to practicing law in the private sector, he served as division chief over the Tax and Business Regulation division for the attorney general of Utah. Mr. Buchi also served as chairman of the Utah State Tax Commission. In this cabinet-level position, he served two governors, and became thoroughly familiar with the budgetary, accounting, and operational procedures of the state government. He also served on the executive committee of the Multi-State Tax Commission. Mr. Buchi is currently a registered lobbyist in Utah and works closely with various government entities. He speaks to numerous government agencies and corporations across the country.

John T. Deeds of Crapo Deeds PLLC in Salt Lake City advises clients in all areas of state and local tax, including property, sales, and income tax matters. He has successfully represented clients before administrative tribunals, as well as state and federal courts throughout the county. Additionally, Mr. Deeds has been involved in legislative efforts when such action is required to further his clients’ needs. He understands that there is more than one way to solve an issue and uses his extensive background in state and local tax to find innovative solutions for his clients. Prior to joining Crapo Deeds PLLC, Mr. Deeds practiced at Holland & Hart. He has also worked as a law clerk in the Tax and Revenue Division of the Utah Attorney General’s Office. He received his J.D. degree from the University of Utah and an LL.M. degree in taxation from Georgetown.

Nathan R. Runyan is an associate at the law firm of Holland & Hart LLP in Salt Lake City. His clients look to him for guidance securing the financial health of their companies. He strategically devises methods to provide his clients with the maximum financial benefits. Mr. Runyan’s practice focuses on state and local taxation, including property, sales, income and severance tax issues, government relations, administrative law, and commercial litigation. He represents clients in virtually all aspects of dispute resolution, including State and Federal Courts, mediations, arbitrations, state and local administrative tribunals and local boards of equalization. Mr. Runyan received his B.A. degree in Accounting and J.D. degree from Brigham Young University. He is admitted to practice in both the federal and state courts in Utah. Prior to law school, Mr. Runyan was employed as a senior auditor in the Auditing Division for the Utah State Tax Commission. He is a frequent lecturer on state and local tax issues and publishes routinely in state and local tax publications, including the ABA Property Tax and Sales and Use Tax Deskbook.

Gary R. Thorup is a shareholder in the Salt Lake City Office of the Utah law firm Durham Jones & Pinegar. Mr. Thorup’s practice emphasizes state, local and federal taxation, government affairs (lobbying) and administrative law. He received a BA degree from the University of Utah in Political Science (magna cum laude), a J.D. degree from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, and an LL.M. (Tax) from the New York University School of Law. Mr. Thorup commenced practicing law in the Tax Section of the Office of the Utah Attorney General (1981-1986) where he served as section chief and as chief counsel to the Utah State Tax Commission (1982-86). He has been a shareholder at Durham Jones & Pinegar since 2011. Mr. Thorup previously practiced in the Salt Lake Office of Holme Roberts & Owen (1990-2011) and at Prince Yeates & Geldzahler (1986-1989). He has spoken at numerous local and national seminars on various state and local tax, administrative law and lobbying topics.

Steve Young is a state and local tax attorney at Holland & Hart LLP in Salt Lake City. His practice focuses on state and local property, sales, income, and severance tax, unclaimed property and state and local incentives. He represents clients in state and local tax litigation before administrative tribunals, local boards of equalization and courts. Mr. Young is a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel, and he is a member of the Utah Tax Restructuring and Equalization Task Force, appointed by the Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives in 2019. He also serves as vice-chair of the State and Local Tax Committee of the American Bar Association, and is the past president of the Tax Section of the Utah State Bar. He also sits on the Board of the Utah Manufacturer’s Association. Mr. Young speaks and publishes often on state and local tax matters, and is an editor for the ABA Property Tax Deskbook.