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Broad Transactional Tax Practice
Myra counsels public and private companies regarding federal income tax planning for a broad range of corporate transactions, including formations, financings and restructurings, equity offerings, and M&A.
Myra Sutanto Shen is a tax partner in the Palo Alto office of Wilson Sonsini and the head of the firm's tax practice group. Myra represents technology and life science companies in connection with all aspects of U.S. federal income tax planning. She has extensive experience advising public and private companies in all corporate transactions, including domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings, IPOs and convertible note offerings, and corporate restructurings. Myra also advises founders, investors, and companies regarding the “qualified small business stock” exemption under Section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Myra participates in several firm committees, co-chairs the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and is an active participant in Women of Wilson and the Asian American Affinity Group.
Myra Sutanto Shen is a tax partner in the Palo Alto office of Wilson Sonsini and the head of the firm's tax practice group. Myra represents technology and life science companies in connection with all aspects of U.S. federal income tax planning. She has extensive experience advising public and private companies in all corporate transactions, including domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings, IPOs and convertible note offerings, and corporate restructurings. Myra also advises founders, investors, and companies regarding the “qualified small business stock” exemption under Section 1202 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Myra participates in several firm committees, co-chairs the firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and is an active participant in Women of Wilson and the Asian American Affinity Group.
- J.D., Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 2007Cum Laude; Production Editor, Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology
- B.A., Integrated Science and Biology, Northwestern University, 2002Cum Laude, With Honors
- Vice Chair, Corporate Tax Committee, Member, Taxation Section, American Bar Association
- Member, Taxation Section, State Bar of California
- Recognized in the California: Northern Tax category in the 2025-2026 editions of Chambers USA
- Named to the 2014-2017 editions of the "Rising Stars" list published by Northern California Super Lawyers
- State Bar of California
- J.D., Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 2007Cum Laude; Production Editor, Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology
- B.A., Integrated Science and Biology, Northwestern University, 2002Cum Laude, With Honors
- Vice Chair, Corporate Tax Committee, Member, Taxation Section, American Bar Association
- Member, Taxation Section, State Bar of California
- Recognized in the California: Northern Tax category in the 2025-2026 editions of Chambers USA
- Named to the 2014-2017 editions of the "Rising Stars" list published by Northern California Super Lawyers
- State Bar of California
Select Publications
- Co-author with R. Sherrill, “Eligibility of Life Sciences Companies for Qualified Small Business Stock,” The Life Sciences Report, Wilson Sonsini, January 2025
- "Calif. Budget Will Likely Have Unexpected Tax Consequences," Law360, June 12, 2024
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“Tax Considerations for UK Tech Companies (US Guide),” Department for Business and Trade, January 2024
- Co-author, "Video Game NFTs: Top Legal Considerations for Developers," The Licensing Journal, March 2022
- Co-author, “USA” chapter, Corporate Tax, Seventh and Eighth Editions, Global Legal Insights, 2019-2020
- Co-author with D. Glazer, "The UK Startup's Guide to Navigating the U.S. Tax Implications of U.S. VC Investment," Notion Capital Insights, December 13, 2017
- "The Other Holding Period: Qualified Small Business Stock and the Magic of Five Years," M&A Tax Report, November 2016
- Co-author with I. Humphreys, "Acquisition Learnings from the Cap Gemini Cases," M&A Tax Report, September 2009
Select Speaking Engagements
- Moderator, “Dealing with Section 269, A Transactional Approach,” ABA Section of Tax 2025 May Meeting, May 9, 2025
- Panelist, "What's New in M&A,” High Tech Tax Institute, November 4, 2024
- "Asset Sale vs. Stock Sale: Tax Considerations, Advanced Drafting, and Structuring Techniques for Tax Counsel," Strafford webinar, February 22, 2024
- Panelist, "M&A Deals - What's New,” High Tech Tax Institute, November 7, 2023
- Panelist, "M&A and Financing Trends,” High Tech Tax Institute, November 8, 2022
- Panelist, "Trends in M&A,” California Lawyers Association 2022 Annual Meeting of the Tax Bar and Tax Policy Conference, November 3, 2022
- Panelist, “Financing Developments and Tax Considerations,” High Tech Tax Institute, November 8, 2021
- Panelist, “Current Developments in Corporate Taxation,” American Bar Association, September 20, 2021
- Panelist, “Dealing with Losses: CARES Act Changes, Debt Restructuring and Other Strategies for a Strong Future,” High Tech Tax Institute, November 10, 2020
- “The 2017 Tax Act’s Impact on Emerging Growth Enterprises and Start-Ups,” Practicing Law Institute, On-Demand One-Hour Briefing, April 23, 2019
- "Qualified Small Business Stock Trends in Venture Financings and Mergers and Acquisitions," Practicing Law Institute, On-Demand One-Hour Briefing, August 3, 2017
Select Publications
- Co-author with R. Sherrill, “Eligibility of Life Sciences Companies for Qualified Small Business Stock,” The Life Sciences Report, Wilson Sonsini, January 2025
- "Calif. Budget Will Likely Have Unexpected Tax Consequences," Law360, June 12, 2024
-
“Tax Considerations for UK Tech Companies (US Guide),” Department for Business and Trade, January 2024
- Co-author, "Video Game NFTs: Top Legal Considerations for Developers," The Licensing Journal, March 2022
- Co-author, “USA” chapter, Corporate Tax, Seventh and Eighth Editions, Global Legal Insights, 2019-2020
- Co-author with D. Glazer, "The UK Startup's Guide to Navigating the U.S. Tax Implications of U.S. VC Investment," Notion Capital Insights, December 13, 2017
- "The Other Holding Period: Qualified Small Business Stock and the Magic of Five Years," M&A Tax Report, November 2016
- Co-author with I. Humphreys, "Acquisition Learnings from the Cap Gemini Cases," M&A Tax Report, September 2009
Select Speaking Engagements
- Moderator, “Dealing with Section 269, A Transactional Approach,” ABA Section of Tax 2025 May Meeting, May 9, 2025
- Panelist, "What's New in M&A,” High Tech Tax Institute, November 4, 2024
- "Asset Sale vs. Stock Sale: Tax Considerations, Advanced Drafting, and Structuring Techniques for Tax Counsel," Strafford webinar, February 22, 2024
- Panelist, "M&A Deals - What's New,” High Tech Tax Institute, November 7, 2023
- Panelist, "M&A and Financing Trends,” High Tech Tax Institute, November 8, 2022
- Panelist, "Trends in M&A,” California Lawyers Association 2022 Annual Meeting of the Tax Bar and Tax Policy Conference, November 3, 2022
- Panelist, “Financing Developments and Tax Considerations,” High Tech Tax Institute, November 8, 2021
- Panelist, “Current Developments in Corporate Taxation,” American Bar Association, September 20, 2021
- Panelist, “Dealing with Losses: CARES Act Changes, Debt Restructuring and Other Strategies for a Strong Future,” High Tech Tax Institute, November 10, 2020
- “The 2017 Tax Act’s Impact on Emerging Growth Enterprises and Start-Ups,” Practicing Law Institute, On-Demand One-Hour Briefing, April 23, 2019
- "Qualified Small Business Stock Trends in Venture Financings and Mergers and Acquisitions," Practicing Law Institute, On-Demand One-Hour Briefing, August 3, 2017
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