Duff & Phelps Announces Formation of Strategic Tax Advisory Services Practice

Duff & Phelps Corporation (NYSE:DUF) , a leading provider of independent financial advisory and investment banking services, today announced the formation of its Strategic Tax Advisory Services practice. The practice will be co-led by new Managing Directors Joseph Schmidt and Catherine Hunter.

NEW YORK, April 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Duff & Phelps Corporation (NYSE:DUF) , a leading provider of independent financial advisory and investment banking services, today announced the formation of its Strategic Tax Advisory Services practice. The practice will be co-led by new Managing Directors Joseph Schmidt and Catherine Hunter.

Gerry Creagh, President of Duff & Phelps, said, "In the current market environment companies are increasingly seeking opportunities to generate tax savings. Our Strategic Tax Advisory professionals take a holistic approach to proactively identifying and documenting tax benefits associated with new asset construction."

The Strategic Tax Advisory Services practice provides advice on procurement processes related to capital investments captured within a company's supply chain. The new practice consists of a multidisciplinary team focused on optimizing the net present value of capital investments through property tax savings, business incentives, sales and use tax credits and reductions in federal and state income tax. In addition to ensuring appropriate assessments are made, these services help companies mitigate tax audit exposure, improve compliance with Sarbanes Oxley and enhance stakeholder value.

Schmidt joins the firm's Atlanta office from Deloitte Tax LLP, where he was Tax Director and a member of Deloitte's National and Multistate Restructuring practice. Schmidt led the development of Deloitte's transaction tax procurement initiative and helped to form Deloitte's national multistate energy group. With over 30 years of experience, Schmidt has demonstrated expertise in multistate income, franchise and sales and use tax with an emphasis on affirmative direct and indirect tax planning through the use of corporate structuring or restructuring.

Hunter joins the firm's Dallas office from Kells Group, where she was a Founding Partner. During her tenure at Kells Group and another previous employer, A.T. Kearney, Hunter mapped corporate strategy and business transformation for Fortune 1000 companies, specializing in post merger integration, operational process improvement and supply chain optimization. Hunter's experience also includes corporate finance and underwriting, including mergers, acquisitions, corporate divestures, financial restructuring, strategic planning and business valuation.

Tab Weaver, Head of Duff & Phelps' Specialty Tax Practice said, "Joseph and Catherine bring years of supply chain tax and consulting experience with Fortune 500 companies. Our clients will benefit from their collective experience in identifying, securing, documenting and defending tax positions associated with new asset construction."

About Duff & Phelps

Duff & Phelps Corporation (NYSE:DUF) is a leading provider of independent financial advisory and investment banking services, supporting client needs principally in the areas of valuation, transactions, financial restructurings and disputes. Founded in 1932, the Company's mission is to protect, recover and maximize value for its clients by providing independent and unbiased advice on issues related to highly technical and complex assessments of value. Services include financial reporting valuation, tax services, real estate and fixed asset services, M&A advisory, corporate finance consulting, fairness and solvency opinions, restructuring advisory and dispute and legal management consulting. Investment banking services are provided by Duff & Phelps Securities, LLC. Duff & Phelps Securities, Ltd. is authorized and regulated by The Financial Services Authority. With more than 1,000 employees serving clients worldwide through offices located in the United States, Europe and Asia, Duff & Phelps is committed to delivering insightful advice and service of exceptional quality, integrity and objectivity. For more information visit http://www.duffandphelps.com.