Stevens & Lee Expands State and Local Tax Team with Addition of Mark Achord as Shareholder

PHILADELPHIA, PA; Jan. 15, 2026 – Stevens & Lee announced today that Mark J. Achord has joined the firm’s State and Local Tax (SALT) Practice as a Shareholder.

“Mark is a superb attorney and a highly experienced state and local tax practitioner,” said Stevens & Lee President and CEO William P. Thornton, Jr. “For nearly two decades, he has held senior positions at Big Four accounting firms. His breadth of expertise will greatly benefit our multistate tax clients and complement our robust and growing SALT team.” 

Mr. Achord represents clients in state and local taxes issues, including corporate income, sales and use, personal income, business privilege, utility gross receipts, wage and payroll taxes. He assists with navigating audits, handling administrative and court appeals and negotiating resolutions of complex tax controversies with a significant focus on Pennsylvania and Philadelphia taxes.

Mr. Achord supports multistate clients across various sectors, including financial services, energy, manufacturing, consumer products, pharmaceuticals and retail, advising them on complicated state and local tax issues and identifying strategies to reduce assessments, minimize effective tax rates and implement risk mitigation practices. He also provides strategic guidance on the tax consequences of mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Achord earned his LL.M. and J.D. degrees from Temple University’s James E. Beasley School of Law and his B.B.A from George Washington University.