Practice Expertise

  • Biomass
  • Business Tax-in development
  • Energy Tax Credits
  • Energy

Areas of Practice

  • Biomass
  • Business Tax-in development
  • Energy
  • Energy Tax Credits
  • International Renewable Energy and Clean ...
  • Renewable Energy and Clean Power
  • Solar
  • Sustainability and Corporate Clean Power
  • Tax
  • Taxation and Energy Tax Credits
  • Wind
  • View More

Profile

Laura focuses her practice on tax equity financing of renewable energy projects, including solar, wind and biomass facilities.

With over 20 years of experience, Laura has a keen ability to navigate the tax code and provide her clients with a forward-thinking approach to their business needs. She brings insightful and practical advice to clients on transactions involving tax incentives including the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and Production Tax Credit (PTC) for the development, financing, purchase and sale of renewable energy projects.

Laura has deep-rooted relationships throughout the renewable energy industry and “knows most of the players in the solar space so she can give insights into trends in the sector” (Chambers Global, 2016)

Additionally, Laura is well-versed in the Opportunity Zone program and is currently helping several clients through the process of structuring and investing in qualified properties and vehicles.

She is highly regarded as a leader in the field, often serving as a moderator, panelist and speaker at industry conferences and seminars around the country. Laura is on the Board of Directors for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) where she serves as Vice Chairman of the Solar Services & Consumers Division. She also serves on the Board of Managers for the Solar Energy Trade Shows (SETS), the company behind Solar Power International, North America’s largest solar industry show.

Relevant Experience

  • Represented buyers and sellers of energy tax credits (ITC and PTC) in various tax credit transactions
  • Represented numerous clients in transactions involving section 45 tax credits for the production of electricity from renewable resources, including the purchase and sale of wind, open-loop biomass, landfill gas, geothermal and refined coal facilities, and the structuring of commercial arrangements for the operation of the facilities.
  • Represented numerous clients in transactions involving section 48 tax credits for solar projects.
  • Represents clients in qualifying for Section 1603 Treasury grants and other incentives available for renewable energy projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Submitted comments to Treasury and IRS on behalf of the solar industry on application of the Treasury grant program to solar transactions.
  • Represented clients in connection with section 48A and 48B tax credit allocation applications for IGCC and other gasification projects.
  • Represented five of the world’s leading solar equipment manufacturers in connection with their successful applications to the Department of Energy and the Internal Revenue Service for an allocation of Section 48C manufacturing investment tax credits.
  • Represented numerous clients in transactions involving section 29 tax credits for the production of nonconventional fuels, including the purchase and sale of synthetic fuel, coke and coke gas, and landfill gas facilities, and the structuring of commercial arrangements for the relocation and operation of the facilities.
  • Obtained numerous private letter rulings on various synthetic fuel and refined coal transactions.
  • Represented numerous clients in connection with audits of section 29 tax credit facilities.
  • Represented clients in federal legislative matters and congressional investigations regarding section 29 tax credits and other energy tax incentives.

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia

Education
BA, University of Virginia, Foreign Affairs, 1991

Areas of Practice

  • Biomass
  • Business Tax-in development
  • Energy
  • Energy Tax Credits
  • International Renewable Energy and Clean Power
  • Renewable Energy and Clean Power
  • Solar
  • Sustainability and Corporate Clean Power
  • Tax
  • Taxation and Energy Tax Credits
  • Wind

Professional Career

Significant Accomplishments
  • Represented numerous clients in transactions involving section 45 tax credits for the production of electricity from renewable resources, including the purchase and sale of wind, open-loop biomass, landfill gas, geothermal and refined coal facilities, and the structuring of commercial arrangements for the operation of the facilities. 
  • Represented numerous clients in transactions involving section 48 tax credits for solar projects. 
  • Represents clients in qualifying for Section 1603 Treasury grants and other incentives available for renewable energy projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Submitted comments to Treasury and IRS on behalf of the solar industry on application of the Treasury grant program to solar transactions. 
  • Represented clients in connection with section 48A and 48B tax credit allocation applications for IGCC and other gasification projects.
  • Represented five of the world's leading solar equipment manufacturers in connection with their successful applications to the Department of Energy and the Internal Revenue Service for an allocation of Section 48C manufacturing investment tax credits. 
  • Represented numerous clients in transactions involving section 29 tax credits for the production of nonconventional fuels, including the purchase and sale of synthetic fuel, coke and coke gas, and landfill gas facilities, and the structuring of commercial arrangements for the relocation and operation of the facilities. 
  • Obtained numerous private letter rulings on various synthetic fuel transactions. 
  • Represented numerous clients in connection with audits of section 29 tax credit facilities. 
  • Represented clients in federal legislative matters and congressional investigations regarding section 29 tax credits and other energy tax incentives.


Professional Associations
  • Board of Directors, Solar Energy Industries Association, Vice Chairman, Solar Services & Consumers Division
  • Member, Virginia Bar Association
  • Member, Tax Section, American Bar Association

Professional Activities and Experience
  • Ranked in Chambers Global: USA, Projects, Band 1, 2015
  • 2013 Energy & Projects “Lawyer of the Year” by Chambers USA Women in Law Awards
  • Leader in the Field, Projects: Renewable and Alternative Energy, Chambers USA, 2011-2017
  • “Up and Coming,” Projects: Renewable and Alternative Energy, Chambers USA, 2010
  • Named among the Legal Elite for Taxes/Estates/Trusts, Virginia Business, 2004-2006. A description of the selection methodology can be found on Virginia Business’s webpage.
  • “Virginia Rising Stars,” Richmond magazine, 2007-2009


Articles

Additional Articles
  • Update on Section 1603 Litigation in the US Court of Federal Claims, Pratt’s Energy Law Report
  • Renewable Energy 2018, United States, Getting the Deal Through
  • Internal Revenue Service Issues Clarification and Modification of Beginning of Construction Rules for Purposes of the Production Tax Credit (And Investment Tax Credit in Lieu of Production Tax Credit), Pratt’s Energy Law Report
  • Renewable Energy Leasing Opportunities: Solar and Beyond, LJN's Equipment Leasing Newsletter
  • IRS Guidance for Flip Structures in Wind Deals, Energy Law360
  • IRA solar tax credit transfers explained for companies with low (or no) tax liability, Solar Builder
  • Qualified Opportunity Zone Investments: Overview, Practical Law
  • Finally - More Renewable Energy Tax Credit Provisions, Energy Law360
  • Qualified Opportunity Zone Investments: Overview, Practical Law
  • Qualified Opportunity Zone Investments, Practical Law Journal
  • Recent Developments in Section 1603 Grant Litigation, Pratt’s Government Contracting Law Report
  • Renewable Energy 2019, United States, Getting the Deal Through
  • Renewable Energy 2020, United States, Getting the Deal Through

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