Lauren Azebu

Lauren Azebu focuses her practice on US federal income taxation issues for domestic and international clients, including high-net worth individuals. She regularly advises both US- and foreign-owned businesses and individuals on the US tax consequences of cross-border investments, cryptocurrency issues, business structurings, withholding obligations, and FATCA compliance. She also advises clients on planning and structuring corporate transactions, including tax-free spinoffs.

In addition to advising clients on tax planning issues, Lauren counsels clients on competent authority issues and represents clients in IRS examinations. She also is actively involved in Steptoe's pro bono program, and has assisted several clients in settling tax issues with the IRS and state tax agencies.

Before joining Steptoe, Lauren worked as a tax accountant at one of the Big Four accounting firms. In this role, she gained considerable skills working with audit teams to calculate quarterly tax provisions for corporate entities, and handling tax return preparation for business and individual clients.

Lauren is the chair of the Steptoe AAPI Lawyers Affinity Group, which facilitates relationship building among lawyers in the Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures. She is also the President of the Coalition of Women's Initiatives in Law, Washington D.C. chapter, as well as the former co-chair of the Steptoe Women’s Forum.