Peter B. Kanter

Of Counsel

San Francisco, (415) 268-6005

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Education

Columbia University (B.A., 1985)
;
Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., 1989)

Practices

Consumer Products

Environment + Energy

Retail

Bar Admissions

California

Clerkships

Hon. Richard J. Cardamone, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit (1989-1990)

Peter Kanter's practice focuses on the resolution of state and local tax controversies through negotiation and litigation. Mr. Kanter joined Morrison & Foerster as an associate in 1991, and was elected as partner in 2000. He became Of Counsel to the firm in 2008.

Mr. Kanter has extensive experience in the area of property tax and real estate transfer tax. He has represented various clients from many different industries, including hotel, telecommunications, oil and gas, power production, shopping centers, professional sports stadiums, sugar refineries, paper manufacturing, and commercial office leasing.

Mr. Kanter has prosecuted tax appeals before all levels of California's courts, taxing authorities, and county assessment appeals boards. Mr. Kanter has helped organize the California State Bar's Eagle Lodge West property tax statutory and regulation drafting projects, and he has been consulted as a property tax expert on several legislative bills. He has also been active in representing taxpayers in the California State Board of Equalization's Assessor Handbook and regulation drafting projects.

Mr. Kanter has also represented clients in several states on state income tax, sales, and use tax, and telecommunications tax matters involving voluntary disclosure agreements ("VDAs"), settlement negotiations, and litigation.

Mr. Kanter has written and lectured extensively on property tax law and procedure.

Property Tax Appeals for Equity Office Properties San Francisco Portfolio

(San Francisco Assessment Appeals Board). On behalf of Equity Office Properties, successfully pursued multi-year assessment appeals for EOP\'s portfolio of San Francisco office properties. After several hearings for individual properties. The Assessor and EOP settled all multiple-year appeals filed for One Market Street, One Post Street, 301 Howard Street, 201 California Street, and 120 Montgomery Street, resulting in significant assessment reductions for EOP. (2006)

In re Assessment Appeals for a leading San Francisco Hotel

(San Francisco Assessment Appeals Board). Successfully pursued multi-year property tax assessment appeals for a leading San Francisco Hotel resulting in over $100 million in assessment reductions. (2008)

City and County of San Francisco v. Assessment Appeals Bd. No. 1 of the City and County of San Francisco

(Superior Court for the City and County of San Francisco). Successfully appealed 2001-2006 assessment appeals for San Francisco Giants' new ballpark, AT&T Field (formerly Pacific Bell Field). After three-week hearing before San Francisco Assessment Appeals Board, Board reduced assessments for ballpark by nearly 33% (approximately $100 million per year for 2001-2003). Assessor appealed Board's decision and settled appeal by agreeing to assessment reductions and mutually agreed-upon methodology for multiple years that produced more than $500 million in assessment reductions. (2006)