Adam Carasso & Jay Heflin will bolster Tax Practice
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Capitol Counsel is excited to announce that Adam Carasso and Jay Heflin have joined the firm to bolster the tax practice and help clients prepare for the 2025 tax reform debate. Jay Heflin joined as a Principal, and Adam Carasso joined as a Partner to further enhance the firm’s capacity to navigate the complex tax policy landscape on Capitol Hill. As Congress prepares to address critical tax issues – with Republicans expected to focus on the looming expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and Democrats likely to pursue priorities such as a significantly expanded child credit and ensuring that businesses and wealthy individuals pay their “fair share” – lawmakers seem poised to advance legislation that could have a profound impact on all aspects of our economy, regardless of the election outcome. The private, public and nonprofit sectors will all have a seat at the table, and their long-cherished priorities could well find themselves, for better or worse, “on the menu.”
“As Congress prepares for one of the most consequential legislative actions next year, Capitol Counsel is strengthening its already robust tax practice. Jay and Adam bring expertise and relationships that will prove invaluable to our clients,” said Founding Partner John D. Raffaelli. “Managing the politics, process and policy will be key for clients to ensure their priorities are included or preserved in the negotiations, and our bipartisan, bicameral team is uniquely suited to help them achieve those goals.”
Adam Carasso previously served as the Director of Federal Tax Affairs at Corning Incorporated, where he led advocacy efforts on corporate and international taxation, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act. Carasso’s successful tenure at Corning included securing grants and regulations worth hundreds of millions of dollars for the company’s expansion into solar and semiconductor manufacturing. Before joining Corning, Carasso spent nine years on the Senate Finance Committee Democratic staff, concluding his tenure as Senior Tax and Economic Adviser to Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR). During his time on the Committee, Carasso played a key role in shaping landmark tax legislation, including the PATH Act of 2015, the CARES Act of 2020, the American Rescue Plan of 2021, and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Carasso also served as Chief Economist for the House Budget Committee under Chairmen John Spratt (D-SC) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), where he guided the Committee through the economic challenges of the 2008-09 financial crisis and contributed to significant legislative efforts, including the Statutory PAYGO Act of 2010 and the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.
Jay Heflin served as a Director at the Federal Policy Group, LLC, where he provided political intelligence and tax legislative guidance to the firm. Before that, he spent more than a decade reporting on federal tax policy at several Capitol Hill news organizations, including The Hill, Roll Call, Bureau of National Affairs, and Tax Analysts. His coverage spanned the entire tax code, from tracking individual tax relief to breaking news on corporate tax developments. Earlier in his career as a tax accountant, where he dealt directly with IRS officials in high-stakes audits, he gained a practical understanding of how tax laws impact everyday lives. This unique blend of experience has enabled him to build strong relationships with Members of Congress, their staff, key agency decision-makers, and tax-focused news outlets.
“With the recent addition of Adam Carasso and Jay Heflin, alongside our existing colleagues with deep experience with the tax Committees and senior members of Congress, our firm is well-positioned to offer top-tier policy and political tax consulting and advocacy,” said Dave Olander, chair of the Tax Practice. “As Congress reconvenes, we are eager to showcase our strengthened tax expertise and continue to deliver exceptional service to our clients.”
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