MICHAEL E. SHAFF 

Partner, specializes in all aspects of federal income taxation. Mr. Shaff is co-author of the "Real Estate Investment Trusts Handbook" published by WestGroup. Mr. Shaff's practice includes all aspects of REIT taxation, related finance transactions and debt and equity offerings. Mr. Shaff practiced tax law for five years in New York City and for three years in another California law firm before founding the firm with Mr. Falk. Mr. Shaff also served as a trial attorney with the office of the Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service for three years. Mr. Shaff is certified by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California as a specialist in tax law. He is a member of the American Bar Association (Taxation Section: Committee on Financial Transactions and Committee on Real Estate) and the State Bars of California, Massachusetts and New York. Mr. Shaff is the past chair of the Tax Section of the Orange County Bar Association.