Bill Backstrom, a partner on the state and local tax team in the New Orleans office, served as a panelist at the Council on State Taxation's 2026 Spring Meeting and Audit Session on April 21, 2026, in Coral Gables, Florida. Bill's panel "Tips for Tax Departments Before, During and After a Merger/Acquisition or Spinoff" covered how mergers, acquisitions, and spinoffs can bring state and local tax challenges that must be managed at every stage of the transaction, providing practical insights into how to manage taxes throughout these transactions and beyond. He also focused on the critical role of state and local tax professionals during the post-closing integration process, playing a critical role in identifying risks, ensuring compliance, and capturing value.