Waheeda Ghani supports the corporate and real estate teams at Zimmerman Kiser Sutcliffe, and advises clients on structuring tax-efficient transactions. She also specializes in the Tax Controversy practice. Waheeda guides clients through complex reorganizations, such as Section 368(a)(1)(F) reorganizations and partnership deconstructions for affordable housing projects—and represents individuals and businesses in audits, penalty-abatement hearings, and criminal tax matters.

Born into a family of lawyers, Waheeda discovered her passion for logical problem-solving at an early age. After earning her B.A. in Law and Society, she spent five years in project management and finance before pursuing her J.D. and then her LL.M. in Tax under former U.S. Tax Court Chief Judge Maurice Foley. She honed her advocacy skills in the nation’s top tax clinic and developed a keen interest in transactional planning and tax litigation.

Before joining ZKS, Waheeda served in both private and government roles, developing a dual practice in transactional and controversy work. She advised clients on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, foreign tax credit planning, and debt-equity characterization; structured Section 368(a)(1)(F) reorganizations and novel transactions arising from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; and represented taxpayers in audits and appeals before the IRS Office of Appeals and the U.S. Tax Court. A standout achievement includes securing a favorable settlement for an embassy employee facing 18 years of back-tax liability.

Outside of work, Waheeda is a puzzle geek and dedicated weightlifter who enjoys thriller novels, suspenseful films, and the Halloween season. Nearly fluent in French and passionate about the outdoors, she brings the same energy and curiosity to her personal life as she does to her work. At home, she shares her space with her beloved black cat, Dahlia. Waheeda’s collaborative spirit and unwavering dedication to client service make her a valued member of the ZKS team.