William Hays Weissman

William Hays Weissman focuses his practice on worker status, employment taxes and affirmative action/Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) audits. He counsels employers of all sizes, ranging from single-person start-ups looking to hire the first employee to Fortune 100 companies with sophisticated human resource, payroll and in-house legal departments.

Having previously worked for the government and holding both an M.B.A. and Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation, William understands the business and legal perspectives employers need to consider when addressing any employment problem. He leverages his diverse background and Littler’s resources to provide his clients practical solutions.

William works with each client to uncover issues and understand their organization. He tailors advice accordingly and applies the law to advance business needs. His goal is to help clients navigate the shifting legal landscape in a cost effective and practical way.

William’s practice encompasses :

• Worker status: Helping clients restructure and strengthen their relationships with independent contractors, but also advising clients to convert contractors to employees when necessary. He also defends clients in disputes with state and federal agencies including the IRS, state tax agencies and departments of labor, as well as in private litigation in federal and state courts.
• Employment tax issues: Providing advice and counsel on a wide range of employment tax issues such as the tax implications of settlements, the proper tax treatment of fringe benefits such as moving, travel and educational expenses, garnishments, the electronic payment of wages and paycards, among others.
• Affirmative Action/OFCCP: Assisting government contractors with the preparation of affirmative action plans and defending them in audits by the OFCCP. He also counsels clients relating to OFCCP jurisdiction, alleged single employer status, and disparate impact and discrimination in hiring, promotion and compensation.

He serves as a member of the Board of Directors. William is a frequent speaker and author on employment tax issues. His articles have appeared in numerous publications including State Tax Notes, the CPA Journal, and The New Republic.

He has authored and co-authored several treatise chapters on worker status and employment tax issues, and written articles about government contracting. William has been quoted in Forbes, Bloomberg, Silicon Valley Business Journal, and Workforce Magazine, among other publications.

Education :

• M.B.A., University of California, Davis, 2005
• LL.M. in Taxation, Golden Gate University School of Law, 1996
• J.D., District of Columbia School of Law, 1995
• B.A., George Washington University, 1991

Courts :

• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
• U.S. District Court, Central District of California
• U.S. Tax Court

Professional & Community Affiliations :

• Member, American Bar Association
• Chair, Employment Taxes Committee – Tax Section, American Bar Association, 2010-2012
• Vice-Chair, Employment Taxes Committee – Tax Section, American Bar Association
• Chair, Employment Taxes Subcommittee – Business Law Section, American Bar Association
• Member, Contra Costa Bar Association
• Member, East Bay Tax Club