Margaret Richardson (lawyer)

Richardson was born in Waco, Texas, on May 14, 1943. Her father was a colonel in the US Army; her mother worked as an English teacher.[1] Richardson was raised in Waco and West Point, New York. She studied political science at Vassar College, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1965. She then attended the George Washington University Law School, where she was one of the editors of The George Washington Law Review, and obtained a Juris Doctor in 1968.[2] She went on to clerk for the US Court of Claims.[3]

Richardson first worked at the Office of Chief Counsel of the IRS for eight years. She eventually rose to the position of director of the administrative services division,[2] becoming the first woman promoted to executive rank in that office's history.[3] She subsequently joined Sutherland, Asbill and Brennan, a law firm in Washington D.C., in 1977. She became a partner three years later and worked there until her appointment to the IRS in 1993.[2][4] Richardson became friends with Hillary Clinton while they were both members of the American Bar Association. She helped fundraise for her husband, Bill Clinton, during his 1992 presidential campaign.[5]

Upon becoming president in 1993, he appointed Richardson as Commissioner of Internal Revenue. She was the second woman to serve in the post, after her immediate predecessor, Shirley D. Peterson.[2] She was also the second partner from Sutherland, Asbill to be appointed to the role, after Randolph W. Thrower from 1969 to 1971.[4] During her tenure, Richardson attempted to bring the agency's technology – some of which was built in the 1960s – up to date. However, she was unable to make significant headway and this undermined confidence in her administration. She was also appointed to the IRS Commissioner's Advisory Group, serving as a member from 1988 to 1990 and as chair from 1989 to 1990.[2]

Following her service as IRS Commissioner concluded in 1997, Richardson became a member of Ernst & Young, in Washington, D.C. later that year until June 2003. She subsequently served on the boards of Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, Inc., Legg Mason, and WETA.[2][3]

Richardson was a member of the District of Columbia and Virginia bars and a fellow of the American Bar Foundation.[3] She co-authored several editions of The Ernst & Young Tax Saver's Guide.[6][7][8]

Richardson married John L. Richardson in 1967. He worked as a transportation lawyer, and they remained married until her death. Together, they had one child, who was also named Margaret.[2] Richardson served as vice chair of Washington National Cathedral.[3]

Richardson died on July 13, 2021, at her home in Delaplane, Virginia. She was 78, and suffered from lung cancer prior to her death.[2]

• Margaret Milner Richardson profile via Forbes
• Appearances on C-SPAN