Richard C. LaFalce counsels clients on the creation and taxation of private and pooled investment vehicles, such as mutual funds, exchange-traded fund (ETFs), closed-end funds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), real estate funds, private equity funds, cryptocurrency funds, Opportunity Zone Funds, collective investment trusts, and other investment-related entities. He frequently advises clients on the taxation of financial products, the unrelated business income tax (UBIT), as well as general corporate and international tax matters. Before joining Morgan Lewis, Rich was an assistant branch chief in the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Office of Chief Counsel, Financial Institutions and Products.
Rich advises clients on general corporate tax matters, the taxation of financial products, information reporting, digital assets, and international tax planning. He also counsels companies on international tax issues, including compliance with the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA).
Rich frequently assists clients in their interactions with the IRS, including obtaining Private Letter Rulings, closing agreements, and other guidance.
A frequent speaker, Rich presents on a variety of tax topics at meetings of the American Bar Association’s Tax Section, the Investment Company Institute, and the Institute for Portfolio Alternatives.
Rich formerly served as chair of the Investment Management Committee of the American Bar Association Section of Taxation from July 2020 to June 2022. As chair, he provided leadership on legal and regulatory matters impacting investment companies, hedge funds, private equity funds, and tiered investment structures and contributed to the development of tax policy and professional guidance within the investment management industry.
Member, Best ETF Law Firm, ETF Express US Awards (2021, 2022)
Member, ETF Law Firm of the Year, ETF.com (2019)
Member, Best ETF Legal & Compliance Firm, ETF Express (2019)
Member, Practice Group of the Year, Tax, Law360 (2017)
Former Chair, American Bar Association, Section of Taxation, Investment Management Committee