Keith Staats

Special Counsel

  • Keith Staats
  • Phone: +1 312 499 6748

    Import to Address Book

  • Duane Morris LLP
    190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3700
    Chicago, IL 60603-3433
    USA

Keith Staats is special counsel in Duane Morris' Corporate Practice Group. He focuses his practice on Illinois state and local tax matters, drawing on more than 40 years of experience in government, private practice, and industry organizations.

Prior to joining Duane Morris, Keith served as Executive Director of the Tax Institute and Amicus Brief Program at the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, where he advised on state tax policy, represented business interests before legislative and regulatory bodies, and led the Chamber’s appellate advocacy through amicus briefs. He also served as a consultant to the Illinois CPA Society, providing guidance on legislative proposals and assisting with inquiries from members and lawmakers.

Keith is an active member of several tax-focused professional associations and has taught State and Local Taxation as an adjunct professor at DePaul University College of Law. He earned his J.D. with honors from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law and holds a B.A. from Millikin University.

Admissions

  • Illinois

Experience

  • Illinois CPA Society
    - Illinois Tax Consulting, 2025
  • Duane Morris LLP
    - Special Counsel, 2025-present
  • Illinois Chamber of Commerce
    - Executive Director, Tax Institute and Amicus Brief Program, 2015-2024
  • Grant Thornton LLP
    - Director, 1997-1999, 2003-2006, 2010-2015
  • Illinois Department of Revenue
    - General Counsel, 1999-2002
    - Deputy General Counsel, 1994-1997
    - Staff Attorney, 1990-1994
  • McDermott Will & Emery
    - Counsel, 2006-2010
  • Illinois General Assembly, Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
    - Deputy Director, 1982-1990

Professional Activities

  • Chair, ISBA State & Local Taxation Section Council
  • Chicago Bar Association State and Local Tax Committee
  • Illinois State Bar Association State and Local Tax Section Council,
    - Incoming Chair, 2025-2026
    - Vice Chair, 2024-2025
  • Former Chair, Illinois CPA Society State and Local Tax Committee
  • Chicago Tax Club
    - Member, Indirect Taxes Committee

Education

  • Chicago-Kent College of Law, J.D.
  • Millikin University, B.A.

Selected Publications

  • Author, "Another Attempt at 'Leveling' Illinois Sales Tax," Illinois CPA Society's Insight Magazine, Winter 2024
  • Author, "The Effects of Eliminating Illinois’ Grocery Tax," Illinois CPA Society's Insight Magazine, Spring 2024
  • Author, "Cook County Targets Free Parking for Taxation," Taxnotes, February 3, 2020
  • Co-author, "New Illinois Sales Tax Regulations Illustrate Need for Legislative Action," Taxnotes, March 10, 2014
  • Co-author, "The History and Status of Local Sales Tax Sourcing in Illinois," Taxnotes, April 16, 2012

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker, "Illinois Legislative Update," Illinois CPA Society Annual State Tax Conference, January 16, 2025
  • Speaker, "Professional Services Taxation Proposals – An Ongoing Case Study," Association Forum, December 4, 2024
  • Speaker, "Illinois Indirect Taxes Update," Chicago Tax Club Fall Seminar, October 25, 2024
  • Speaker, "Illinois Tax Update,"  Council on State Taxation Annual Meeting, September 27, 2024