Atty. Caroline D. Ciraolo

Atty. Caroline D. Ciraolo

Caroline D. Ciraolo, former Acting Assistant Attorney General of the U.S.

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Profile Summary

About Caroline D. Ciraolo at a glance

Caroline D. Ciraolo is a criminal defense, tax, tax litigation, and white collar attorney based in Washington, District of Columbia, practicing at Kostelanetz LLP. Admitted to practice in Maryland, Maryland State Bar Association, District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar, New Jersey, New Jersey State Bar Association, and Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Bar Association. Educated at University of Baltimore (LL.M in Tax, 1994) and University of Maryland (J.D., 1993). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Washington (D.C.) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation and Controversy - Tax (2026). Serands clients in Washington, DC and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Caroline D. Ciraolo, former Acting Assistant Attorney General of the U.S
  • Department of Justice’s Tax Division, is a partner with Kostelanetz LLP and a founder of its Washington, D.C. office
  • Her practice focuses on federal and state civil tax controversies, including representation in sensitive audits, administrative appeals, and litigation, providing related tax advice, conducting internal investigations, and representing individuals and entities in criminal tax investigations and prosecutions
  • Caroline is the former President of the American College of Tax Counsel and past Chair of the ABA Tax Section’s Civil and Criminal Tax Penalties Committee
  • She is a recipient of the IRS Chief Counsel Award and the ABA Tax Section’s Janet Spragens Pro Bono Award
  • She has served as an instructor with the IRS Military Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program at Ft
  • George G. Meade in Maryland
  • Caroline serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Georgetown University Law Center (Criminal Tax Law & Procedure and International Tax Controversies) and the University of Baltimore School of Law Graduate Tax Program (Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Tax Crimes and Tax Practice & Procedure)
  • Caroline has been recognized by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, International Tax Review/World Tax, Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and The Daily Record’s Top 100 Women Circle of Excellence

Practice Areas Explained

Caroline D. Ciraolo's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Caroline D. Ciraolo handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Criminal Defense

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

Caroline D. Ciraolo is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in District of Columbia →

Tax Law

Tax attorneys handle IRS audits, tax debt, international tax, estate planning, and tax court litigation.

Caroline D. Ciraolo is one of 85,302 tax attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax attorneys in District of Columbia →

Tax Litigation

Caroline D. Ciraolo is one of 3,110 tax litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse tax litigation attorneys in District of Columbia →

White Collar Crimes

Caroline D. Ciraolo is one of 20,025 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in District of Columbia →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in District of Columbia

Practicing law in District of Columbia. Legal matters in District of Columbia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Washington are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate District of Columbia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in District of Columbia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in District of Columbia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional District of Columbia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Washington or all attorneys in District of Columbia.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Caroline D. Ciraolo

Where is Caroline D. Ciraolo's law office located?
Caroline D. Ciraolo's law practice is located in Washington, District of Columbia. The firm is Kostelanetz LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Caroline D. Ciraolo handle?
Caroline D. Ciraolo focuses on criminal defense, tax, tax litigation, white collar. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in District of Columbia.
Where did Caroline D. Ciraolo go to law school?
Caroline D. Ciraolo earned their education at (LL.M in Tax, 1994); (J.D., 1993); (BA, 1990).
How can I contact Caroline D. Ciraolo for a consultation?
You can contact Caroline D. Ciraolo directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Caroline D. Ciraolo received?
Caroline D. Ciraolo's notable recognition includes: Lawyer of the Year — Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Washington (D.C.); Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation and Controversy - Tax; Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law; Best Lawyers in America — Awards:.

Education

LL.M in Tax
University of Baltimore
- 1994
J.D.
University of Maryland
- 1993
BA
College of New Jersey
- 1990

Awards

Lawyer of the Year — Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Washington (D.C.)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation and Controversy - Tax
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Tax Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Baltimore SmartCEO Magazine's Legal Elite (2009, 2010)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Benchmark: America's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys (2013 - 2014)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Chambers USA, Nationwide: Tax Fraud (Band 1), DC: Tax (Band 2)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — DC Super Lawyers (Tax) (2019-2022)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Featured in CNN Money Magazine -- 2013 Money Hero (April 2013)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Featured on cover of Maryland Super Lawyers Magazine (2013), and in featured article (2018)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — IRS Office of Chief Counsel Award (2017)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Janet R. Spragens Pro Bono Award, ABA Section of Taxation (2010)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Judge, Janet R. Spragens Pro Bono Award, ABA Section of Taxation (2012-13)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Judge, Law Student Tax Challenge, ABA Section of Taxation (2011-14)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Judge, Public Service Fellowship, ABA Section of Taxation (2011-13)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Legal 500 (Leading Lawyer, 2021)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service Educator Award (2008)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — The Daily Record’s Circle of Excellence (Women in Maryland) (2014)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — The Daily Record's Top 100 Women in Maryland (2010, 2012, 2014)
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Tax Law, Washington (D.C.)
- 2025
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Washington (D.C.)
- 2024
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Washington (D.C.)
- 2022
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation and Controversy - Tax (Baltimore)
- 2012

Bar Admissions

Maryland, Maryland State Bar Association
District of Columbia, The District of Columbia Bar
New Jersey, New Jersey State Bar Association
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Bar Association

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