Plunkett Cooney senior tax attorney Joseph A. Peterson was recently named to serve on the State Bar of Michigan (SBM) District I Character and Fitness Committee.

Appointed by the Board of Commissioners, Peterson’s two-year term began on Jan. 1. In his role as a committee member, he will support the work of the SBM, conducted under the direction and authority of the Board of Law Examiners and Michigan Supreme Court, by investigating the character and fitness of candidates for admission to the bar association.

Peterson serves as the Tax Law Practice Group Leader of Plunkett Cooney, one of the Midwest’s oldest and most accomplished law firms. He primarily focuses his practice on the resolution of individual and business tax controversies, including audit defense, collections and litigation involving the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and/or state of Michigan governmental entities.

A member of the firm’s Bloomfield Hills office, Peterson’s expertise includes negotiating the resolution of outstanding tax issues by utilizing penalty abatements, lien removals, discharge or subordination, installment agreements and offers in compromise to settle tax balances, which provide individuals and businesses with a fresh start with the IRS or state of Michigan. He has experience obtaining innocent spouse relief for his clients, and he monitors the IRS transcripts of high-net-worth individuals and businesses to prevent additional tax assessments and to address future audits. Peterson also represents clients in U.S. Tax Court.

In addition, Peterson has extensive experience regarding the Employee Retention Credit Program (ERC) and Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness. He also consults with clients to safeguard against any future ERC audits conducted by the IRS relating to the program.

Admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Michigan, as well as in the U.S. Tax Court, Peterson received his law degree from Wayne State University Law School in 2015 and his undergraduate degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2012.

Plunkett Cooney’s Tax Law Practice Group provides comprehensive services to businesses and individuals in this complex and ever-changing area of the law. The firm’s services include representation for individuals and businesses facing IRS or state collections, tax audits, tax appeals and litigation and tax planning for individuals and businesses.

Established in 1913, Plunkett Cooney is a leading provider of business law and litigation services to clients in the private and public sectors. The firm employs attorneys in seven Michigan cities, Chicago, Illinois, Columbus, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana.

Plunkett Cooney has received the highest rating (AV) awarded by Martindale-Hubbell, a leading peer review service and recently received national recognition by Best Lawyers^® as one of the 2026 “Best Law Firms.” The firm has also earned Mansfield Rule Certification Plus 2024-2025 for midsize law firms, which recognizes leaders in DEI within the legal industry.

For more information about Joe Peterson’s selection as a SBM Character and Fitness Committee member, contact John Cornwell of Plunkett Cooney’s Practice Development Department at (248) 901-4008; jcornwell@plunkettcooney.com.

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