Taxation of Legal Settlements and Judgments: What Every Civil Litigator Needs to Know

When: October 21st, 2026 at Noon
Where: Online – Zoom
MCLE: 1.0 Hour (General)

The terms of a settlement determine more than how much a client receives. They can also have significant tax consequences. This presentation will give civil litigators a practical understanding of the tax treatment of settlements and judgments and help identify tax issues before a case resolves.

Topics will include which types of damages may be excluded from taxable income; the distinction between ordinary income and capital gain; the taxation of attorney fees, including in contingency fee cases; how the language and allocation of a settlement agreement can affect the tax treatment of a recovery; Form 1099 reporting requirements; and tax considerations when preparing mediation term sheets and settlement agreements.

Speaker: Robert W. Wood

Robert W. Wood is frequently listed among the top tax lawyers in America. He handles a broad range of tax planning and tax controversies and serves as an expert witness on tax matters in civil cases, class actions, and disputes involving independent contractor and employee classification. A widely published author known for making complex tax issues understandable, Mr. Wood is particularly recognized for his expertise advising plaintiffs, defendants, lawyers, and settlement funds on the tax treatment of settlements and judgments.

Cost: $20 Members $25 Non-Members

Questions? Please contact David B. Shea at dshea@lexington-mediation.com