Vinson & Elkins Expands Renewable Tax Practice as Inflation Reduction Act Gains Momentum

Heather Behrend has joined Vinson & Elkins’ Tax practice as Counsel in the firm’s New York office. She brings extensive experience in federal income tax matters relating to clean energy financing, tax credits, project development and finance, domestic and cross-border M&A, private equity, and securities offerings.

Behrend will work across multiple practice groups, including Tax, Energy Transactions & Projects, Capital Markets, and Mergers & Acquisitions, to provide strategic tax planning and ensure compliance with applicable tax laws and regulations, with a specific focus on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). She joins Vinson and Elkins from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe.

“The Inflation Reduction Act is creating an unprecedented amount of interest around strategic opportunities for our clients to drive investments in clean energy through a set of robust tax credits and incentives,” said Lauren Collins, a partner in Vinson & Elkins’ Tax practice group focusing on matters related to energy and infrastructure assets. “Renewable and clean energy projects and business models involve complex technologies, counterparties, and tax structures.  Heather’s insights and proficiency will strengthen our ability to provide clients with trusted counsel throughout the lifecycle of their project development or investments.”

“As momentum continues to build around the energy transition, this is an incredible opportunity to join Vinson and Elkins and work with some of the most forward-thinking attorneys and clients in this space,” Behrend said. “There is a collaborative spirit at the firm, and working across practice groups in connection with this important piece of legislation presents incredible opportunities for our clients at this pivotal moment.”

Behrend received her J.D.  from Columbia University School of Law, where she was a  Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and served as the head Articles Editor for the Columbia Journal of Tax Law. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy & History of Math and Science from St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD.