NEW YORK ― Hunton & Williams LLP partner George C. Howell III has begun a one-year term as Chair of the American Bar Association’s Section of Taxation. With a membership of 19,000 lawyers, the Section of Taxation is the nation’s largest professional association of tax lawyers. Howell, head of Hunton’s tax and employee benefits practice, will lead the Section through August 2016.

“Hunton & Williams has a long history steeped in tradition and service at the highest levels. We are very proud of George and of this richly deserved recognition,” said Wally Martinez, managing partner of Hunton & Williams.

Howell’s prior leadership positions with the Tax Section include immediate past Chair-Elect, Vice Chair of Communications, Council Director, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and chair of its financial transactions and tax shelter committees. He also is a former managing editor of the Tax Section’s law review, The Tax Lawyer. In addition to these positions with the ABA, Howell is a past chair of the American College of Tax Counsel.

“I am excited by the opportunity to serve as Chair of the Tax Section for 2015-2016,” said Howell, who practices in the firm’s New York and Richmond, Va. offices. “It is invigorating to reflect on all that has been accomplished by the Tax Section over the 75 years of its existence, but much remains to be done. My priorities for the coming year include promoting the Section’s strong pro bono and public service programs, implementing our recently updated diversity and inclusion plan, and working with the membership to increase our tax law improvement efforts.”

Howell’s practice focuses on the tax aspects of REITs, REMICs, securitizations, master limited partnerships, private investment funds, and other financial products and transactions. He is nationally recognized as a Leader in the Field of Capital Markets: REITs (Band 1) by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.