Prior to joining McLaughlinQuinn, Ayanna spent nearly four years with the IRS Office of Chief Counsel (Litigation and Advisory Division). During her tenure, she managed a heavy docket of cases before the United States Tax Court, overseeing all phases of development including pleadings, discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation. She advised IRS Examination and Collection functions on technical and procedural issues, interacted regularly with the IRS Independent Office of Appeals concerning case posture and resolution opportunities, and collaborated with the Department of Justice on litigation strategy in more complex matters. This background provides Ayanna with a granular understanding of how the government builds, evaluates, and resolves tax cases. Ayanna now leverages this insight to anticipate risk and drive efficient, strategic outcomes for clients.

Before pivoting to tax law, Ayanna served for seven years as an Attorney Advisor with the SSA’s Office of Hearings Operations. In this high-volume environment, she supported the adjudication of federal hearings by analyzing evidentiary records and drafting legal opinions for Administrative Law Judges. That role required mastery of evidentiary development, credibility determinations, and application of complex regulatory frameworks. These analytical skills translate directly to her current practice, where she excels at advancing persuasive positions in both bankruptcy and tax controversy matters.

Now transitioning from public service to private practice, Ayanna draws on her combined experience to offer clients practical, forward-looking counsel at every stage of a dispute. She is particularly experienced in matters involving unreported income, substantiation challenges, and penalty disputes. Ayanna is known for developing clear, well-supported strategies that position cases for favorable resolution both administratively and in litigation.