Michael M. Giovannini

• Negotiated complex audit resolution agreements for national and regional banks, broker-dealers and mutual funds undergoing multistate, third-party unclaimed property audits.
• Led unclaimed property and state tax diligence efforts in numerous multimillion-dollar corporate transactions.
• Represented dozens of Fortune 500 companies across various industries in multistate unclaimed property audits.
• Provided planning and advice for the implementation and restructuring of national companies' gift card and loyalty programs.
• Drafted legal opinions on unclaimed property issues related to gift cards and other prepaid products in support of revenue recognition efforts.
• Negotiated voluntary disclosure agreements for income, sales and use taxes with multiple state revenue departments.

Michael Giovannini is a partner with Alston & Bird’s Unclaimed Property and State & Local Tax Teams. As a member of the Unclaimed Property Team, Michael concentrates on providing comprehensive advice and guidance to clients regarding multistate unclaimed property planning issues, representing clients in unclaimed property audits and state voluntary disclosure agreements, and other compliance initiatives. Michael’s practice includes extensive experience with gift card laws and the structuring of gift card programs, consumer protection, and other areas of regulation. He has represented regional and national banks and financial services companies, including broker-dealers and mutual funds, health care companies, and private investment firms. Michael also advises clients on the unclaimed property implications associated with cryptocurrency and other emerging technologies.

Michael counsels on complex sales, use and corporate income tax issues, and providing practical planning services for various state and local tax issues, with emphasis on sales and use tax issues associated with online sales, cloud computing, and digital goods. He has representative experience advising clients on apportionment, nexus, and unitary business principles, as well as in disputes with state revenue departments at both the administrative and judicial levels, and in multistate voluntary disclosure agreement initiatives.

He is a regular contributor to the Alston & Bird Tax Blog and various national publications. He frequently speaks at local, regional, and national tax and unclaimed property conferences.

Bar Admissions

• Georgia
• North Carolina

Education

• Wake Forest University (J.D., 2009)
• Furman University (B.A., 2006)