Michael George Pfeifer – 50th Reunion Essay

Michael George Pfeifer

3246 Quesada St., NW

Washington, DC 20015-1663

mpfeifer@capdale.com

202-236-2564

Spouse(s): Robin Taub (2005–present)

Child(ren): Michael G.H. Pfeifer (1985), Charles McL. Pfeifer (1987), Alice G. Pfeifer (1991), Leah D. Taub (1988), Elana C. Taub (1990)

Education: Yale, BA 1970; Cornell Law School, JD 1975; New York University Law School, LL.M (Tax) 1981

Career: Tax lawyer, Coudert Brothers, NYC and Hong Kong, 1976-1981; Morgan Lewis & Bockius, London and DC, 1981-1993; IRS Chief Counsel (Intl.), DC, 1993-1995; E&Y National Tax, DC, 1995–2003; Caplin & Drysdale, DC, 2004–present

Avocations: golf, tennis, skiing, traveling

College: Pierson

I’ve had a wonderful life. To be sure, not without occasional bumps in the road and less frequent detours. But overall, it’s been productive, interesting, and almost always enjoyable. I attribute this more to my innate optimism and joie de vivre than to any particular influence. My mantras have always been: “be nice” (you’ll always have friends); and “be resilient” (you’re going to be knocked down frequently; just make sure you always get up and move on). I believe you can get through life following these simple tenets.

I’m on my third and last marriage—“last” because my wife, Robin Taub, is one of DC’s best divorce lawyers. She is the cheerleader (Duke ’80) I always needed and is awesome! Robin is thoughtful, energetic, athletic, attractive, a fabulous mother and stepmother to her two daughters and my two sons and daughter, and a wonderful life companion. Our five children, ages 27 to 32, establishing their own careers in law (three), public health (one) and publishing (one), were teenagers when we got together and have had each other’s backs ever since. They are a true “Brady Bunch” and credit us with creating something special (we agree). They, and the fact that Robin and I still mostly love our legal careers, are the reasons we each continue to practice at ages when many have retired.

Retirement. I intend to slow down this year to play more golf and tennis. We’re also expanding a vacation home in the Blue Ridge Mountains in hopes that grandchildren aren’t far off. Robin, who doesn’t seem to let her law practice interfere with her tennis game, likely will also start slowing down in the next five years.

Trump as President? Not mine and hopefully not much longer. Congress was formerly bipartisan. What happened? It’s about changes to the fabric of our country, some inevitable and good (growing power of women and minorities) and some not (nonsense on the extreme right and left who are not focused on the common good). How can we enact responsible gun laws? How can we ensure all Americans have decent education, job opportunities and health care? How can we protect the environment for future generations? There must be answers, or America will continue its downward slide when compared to other developed nations where health, security, and welfare are at the forefront.

Yale. If I had the chance, I’d do it again. My second son was Yale ’09, and I enjoyed visiting him at a truly phenomenal co-ed university. But I am concerned that “political correctness” and related trends have gone too far and are stifling open and free discussion. True, they arose for valid reasons, including an historic patriarchal society and boorish—and worse—male behavior. There is no place for such anachronisms in today’s world, but they sadly continue to exist in many places around the globe. However, there are signs in many quarters that these “habits” of a less well informed age may be subsiding. But this must be pursued carefully, lest we lose our perspective and sense of humor.

Final word: When I left Yale I wanted to be an “international lawyer,” though I likely didn’t know what that meant. Somehow I seem to have achieved that objective.