Revenue Director Joins Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

The Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, one of the oldest and largest business law firms in the Carolinas with over 230 lawyers, revealed that Ray Stevens, the SC Department of Revenue director, has resigned from his post to join their firm beginning in January 3, 2011. Stevens has been the director since January 2006 following the appointment of Governor Mark Sanford. Stevens will leave his post at the end of 2010 and will now become a part of the firm’s State & Local Tax (SALT) practice in its South Carolina office, a practice that offers corporate tax planning in all states, advising corporate clients on tax controversies, mergers and acquisitions, economic development efforts, joint ventures and other matters.

Stevens expressed his excitement over his upcoming departure as Revenue Director and future role in the firm. “It’s been a privilege, an incredibly fulfilling experience. One I wouldn’t trade for anything. But, by early fall of this year, with Governor Sanford’s term ending, I’d pretty well decided to head back to my litigation roots.” Stevens added that he is grateful to the firm for giving him a chance to practice his expertise as a lawyer. “Parker Poe offers me a wonderful opportunity to work with large and growing companies in areas of the law where I have a unique background and knowledge. I look forward to helping the Firm grow both its SALT and general tax practice, as tax matters across the country become more complex because of technology and other factors.”

For 10 years, Stevens served as one of the South Carolina’s six judges on the state’s Administrative Law Court before he was appointed as the director of the Department of Revenue. He also spent 15 years in the State Attorney General’s office. Stevens graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor’s, a Master of business administration and a Juris Doctor degree. He also has a Master of law and taxation degree from the College of William and Mary.