About Stephen
Stephen Yost combines decades of business training with formal legal education. He began his academic journey at Pace University, where he completed a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1983 and later earned an MBA in public accounting in 1988. Two decades after his graduate studies in accounting, he returned to law school and received a J.D. from Quinnipiac University School of Law in 2005. He later pursued advanced tax study and earned an LL.M. in Tax Law from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2014.
His background bridges accounting and law. He holds a Certified Public Accountant license in the State of New York. That credential precedes and complements his practice as a lawyer. He is admitted to practice in Connecticut and has secured admission to several federal forums, including the U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Tax Court, and the Federal District Court for the District of Connecticut.
Colleagues describe Yost as methodical in his approach. He applies accounting concepts to legal problems and dissects tax issues down to their core numbers. His LL.M. work added specialized tax doctrine to an already technical skill set. Those combined competencies inform how he evaluates cases and advises clients, especially when numerical detail matters.
Over the years he has handled matters that require appearing before federal courts and tax tribunals. He prepares briefs and represents clients in hearings where statutory interpretation and financial records meet. He also advises on transactional matters that carry tax consequences, translating complex regulations into practical steps for businesses and individuals.
Yost is part of the team at CollIns Hannafin, P.C. There he works alongside other attorneys on matters that span tax controversy, estate and trust issues, and business tax planning. His accounting background often becomes central when forensic review or detailed tax calculations are required. He is known for a measured courtroom style and steady attention to procedural detail.
Outside of litigation, he spends time on research and continuing education to keep current on tax law changes and evolving federal practice rules. He maintains active credentials that allow him to appear before high-level tribunals. He currently handles tax controversy, tax planning, and related litigation at CollIns Hannafin, P.C.
