Partners William M. Backstrom, Jr. and Kimberly Lewis Robinson, both of the firm's Tax & Estates Practice Group, will be speaking at the Council on State Taxation's (COST) 42nd annual meeting being held October 18–21, 2011, in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event will cover a wide range of topics, all pertinent to key state and local tax issues and insights regarding state tax trends and opportunities. Throughout the three day seminar, presentations will be made on topics ranging from "Current Trends and Audit Issues on State Taxation of Foreign Source Income" to "Navigating Recent and Pending Corporate Income/Business Activity State Tax Legislative Changes."

Mr. Backstrom will give a presentation titled "Sale & Use and Employment Taxes Due Diligence for Mergers & Acquisitions" with Pat Powers, while Ms. Robinson will present with Jane Steinmetz on "Navigating the Expense—Current Issues on Expenses Disallowance and State Add Back Issues." Jones Walker will also serve as a sponsor of the annual event.

To learn more about the event or for registration information, please visit the COST website.