Naftali Z. Dembitzer

Naftali Z. Dembitzer

Partner
Mr. Dembitzer was particularly helpful in handling our matter. He has a very client-centric approach and, although he is a partner of the firm, he gave us comfort in knowing that he was very much in control of the development of our case, giving it his personal attention as it developed.
Client, The Legal 500, (2023)
About

Naftali Dembitzer is a tax lawyer in the New York office of DLA Piper and has been practicing federal, state, and local tax law for over 30 years.

Naftali's practice focuses on state and local tax planning, reporting, and controversy matters. Naftali advises clients on state and local sales/use tax, corporate income tax, personal income tax and payroll tax matters. He has particular expertise in state and local real estate transfer tax matters and defending clients in those audits. Naftali also counsels clients on federal payroll taxes, information reporting, and penalty abatement matters.

Naftali represents corporations, partnerships and individuals in state and local tax audits, administrative appeals and before the courts, with particular emphasis on tax controversies with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the New York City Department of Finance. Naftali also represents clients in tax controversy matters with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Naftali's prior experience as a Law Clerk to the Honorable I. Leo Glasser of the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York provides him with a unique insight in developing litigation strategy in tax controversy matters.

Bar admissionsDistrict of ColumbiaNew JerseyNew York

Awards

The Legal 500 United States

  • Recommended, US Taxes: Contentious, (2023 – 2025)
    "The practice team, led by Naftali Dembitzer, was highly attentive in every element of our dealings with the tax authorities, and made us feel very confident that our matter with the authorities would be resolved in an efficient and timely manner." – Client, The Legal 500, (2023)
    "I worked with Naftali Dembitzer on a transfer tax audit defense matter. He understood our team's sensitivity to keeping costs down and we worked together with that in mind. I learned a lot from Naftali about best practices and negotiating tactics and he helped our team achieve a great result." – Client, The Legal 500, (2023)
  • Recommended, US Taxes: Non-Contentious, (2023)
    "Gerald Rokoff, John Wei, and Naftali Dembitzer are experienced, technically strong, and provide clear advice." – Client, The Legal 500, (2023)

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Education
  • LL.M., New York University School of Law
  • J.D., Brooklyn Law School
    summa cum laude
  • B.S., Touro College, Economics
    summa cum laude
    Valedictorian

Publications

  • Co-author, "SALT Implications of Federal Tariffs – Headache or Opportunity?" Tax Notes State, November 12, 2025
  • Co-author, "Loper Bright and SALT Administrative Rulemaking," Tax Notes State, October 7, 2024