The Difference Is
Who’s In The Room
GEOFF D. PLOURDE didn't find tax law — he grew up in it. Drawn to the complexity of tax and financial problem-solving from his early twenties, Geoff has spent his entire career at the intersection of law, accounting, and strategy — building one of the most remarkable and rare credential stacks in the profession.
A graduate of Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, Geoff went on to earn his Master of Science in Taxation in 2016 and his MBA in 2022, combining deep legal expertise with sophisticated business acumen. He is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant, an Enrolled Agent, and a Certified Legal Specialist in Taxation in California — a combination held by very few practitioners in the country — giving his clients representation at every level of the tax system.
Admitted to the New York State Bar in 2019, Geoff expanded his licensure in 2020 to include Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Wyoming, as well as before the United States Tax Court — bringing a truly national perspective to every matter he handles. He has significant experience representing distressed businesses, guiding owners through some of the most complex and consequential financial challenges of their lives.
Among his many areas of expertise, Geoff has a particular passion for estate planning and strategic tax planning — disciplines that demand not only technical precision but forward-thinking strategy and an ability to see the full financial picture. His abilities in this space are widely regarded as unparalleled, and it is an area where Blackridge Tax clients consistently benefit from a level of sophistication that few firms can match. For high-net-worth individuals and business owners looking to protect generational wealth, minimize future tax liability, and plan with intention, Geoff's guidance is simply in a class of its own.
Beyond his practice, Geoff serves as a Professor, Lecturer, and Program Director of the undergraduate accounting program at California Lutheran University — a testament to both his mastery of the subject and his genuine passion for developing the next generation of tax professionals.
A Fellow of the National Tax Practice Institute, past Chapter President and current State Director of the California Society of Enrolled Agents, and active member of the American Bar Association Section on Taxation, the Los Angeles County Bar Association, and the National Association of Enrolled Agents, Geoff brings to Blackridge Tax an unparalleled depth of knowledge, an instinct for creative solutions, and an unwavering dedication to the people he serves.
Outside the office, Geoff treasures time with his family and friends, and recharges through travel and reading — reflecting the same curiosity and breadth of thinking that defines his approach to every case.
Our Senior Tax Expert brings a rare combination of courtroom tenacity and technical mastery to every case at Blackridge Tax. A graduate of the University of San Francisco School of Law, she began her legal career in the trenches of criminal defense, spending a decade representing clients in high-stakes proceedings where the margin for error was zero.
That foundation in litigation strategy and client advocacy proved transformative. Recognizing the critical intersection of legal precision and financial consequence, she earned her Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) from Golden Gate University—one of the most respected tax programs in the country—graduating at the top of her class.
For over 20 years, she has focused exclusively on tax controversy, representing individuals and businesses in disputes with the IRS and state taxing authorities at every level—from audits and appeals to U.S. Tax Court litigation. Widely regarded as one of the most formidable tax controversy attorneys in California, she is a long-standing member of the California Lawyers Association Taxation Section.
Note on Confidentiality:To maintain the highest level of professional discretion regarding current sensitive outside engagements, this partner’s full identity is withheld from our public platform. Her strategic oversight and specialized legal expertise are integrated into every high-stakes case managed by the firm. Full credentials and identification are available to clients upon formal engagement.
MOLLIE S. ABERLE A native Angeleno and proud veteran, Mollie spent years working at the forefront of a national tax resolution organization, consistently entrusted with some of the most complex and high-value cases in the firm. Working directly with clients facing six and seven-figure liabilities, she developed a deep understanding of how these cases are evaluated, negotiated, and resolved at the highest levels — and more importantly, where the industry was failing the people who needed it most.
So she built something better.
Mollie partnered with two of the most credentialed tax professionals in the country to found Blackridge Tax — a firm designed from the ground up to do things differently. No mills. No empty promises. Just exceptional representation from attorneys and professionals who have dedicated their careers to mastering this space.
What drives her isn't the complexity of the tax code — it's the people on the other side of it. Individuals and business owners drowning in tax debt, facing enforcement action, and desperately searching for a way out. Mollie has an extraordinary gift for cutting through the noise, understanding the details that matter, and showing clients something they haven't seen in a long time — a clear path forward.
At Blackridge Tax, that's not just a service. It's a promise.
Outside the office, Mollie is a woman of genuine curiosity and warmth. You'll find her on the basketball court, exploring the hidden gems and neighborhoods that make Los Angeles one of the most extraordinary cities in the world, or embarking on journeys to the road less traveled — immersing herself fully in the culture, the people, and the stories of wherever she finds herself. Above all, Mollie has a true and deep passion for human connection. Meeting new people, hearing their stories, and building meaningful relationships is not just something she enjoys — it is fundamentally who she is. It is also, perhaps, what makes her so exceptional at what she does.