Carolyn Schenck (JD '03) Brings Tax Expertise to the Internal Revenue Service

Pepperdine Caruso Law alumna Carolyn Schenck (JD ‘03) recently spoke on a panel discussion for the Association of Certified Financial Crime Specialists (ACFCS) titled “The Ever-Dynamic Developments in International Tax Enforcement” in her role as National Fraud Counsel and Assistant Division Counsel (International), Small Business/Self Employed Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service. Having been in the IRS Office of Chief Counsel for 15 years, Schenck was appointed as National Fraud counsel by fellow alumnus Charles Rettig (JD ‘81), the current Commissioner of the IRS in Washington, DC since 2018.

Schenck works closely with the Office of Fraud Enforcement to provide advice on the  program’s design, development and delivery of major activities in support of the IRS's service-wide efforts to detect and deter fraud, as well as work with colleagues in all business operating divisions on developing and implementing fraud strategies, criminal fraud referrals and application of civil fraud penalties. She also provides coordination and leadership related to fraud issues through Counsel, providing guidance and training to counsel attorneys who are litigating such cases or advising agents during active examinations. 

Schenck has become a sought-after presenter now that tax fraud, cryptocurrency, and tax enforcement are hot topic issues in today’s legal landscape. “As a fellow tax lawyer, I am honored that Carolyn is a Caruso Law alumna,” said Dean Paul Caron. 

“She has used her tax knowledge and expertise to serve this country for over 15 years, and I look forward to following her future career.”

Schenck has been an adjunct professor at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law for Honors Appellate Advocacy. Prior to joining the IRS, she was an attorney for the Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Enforcement. She also worked for Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the Ninth Circuit and Chief Judge H. Robert Mayer of the  Federal Circuit Courts of Appeals. Before her law career, Schenck earned a BS at Northern Arizona University, worked for US Senator John McCain, and served as a weapons analyst. She is a member of the California and Maryland state bars.