Renewable energy and clean technology lawyer Eli Katz has joined global law firm Latham & Watkins LLP as a partner in the tax and finance department in New York.
According to the firm, Katz brings significant experience in advising power developers, national banks and insurance companies, as well as private equity sponsors and infrastructure funds, in the sale and purchase of renewable energy assets and companies.
He has been particularly active in the development of many funding structures now commonly used in the distributed power market. Katz also has represented a number of clients before the Internal Revenue Service and Treasury on tax issues pertaining to energy tax credits, tax depreciation deductions, cash grants and related matters.
Katz joins Latham from Chadbourne & Parke in New York. Previously, he served as vice president and tax counsel at GE Energy Financial Services. In addition, since 2011, Katz has lectured a class at the New York University School of Law on project finance and energy transactions, with a focus on non-recourse financings and the intersection of tax and energy policy.
“Eli further strengthens Latham’s capability in the tax equity finance market as key stakeholders seek to take advantage of the recent extension of the U.S. federal tax credits for renewable energy projects,” said Jiyeon Lee-Lim, global chair of Latham’s tax department.
“The vast majority of renewable energy projects and platform companies have financed most of their recent transactions using a variety of tax equity financing structures, and the balance of their capital raising and strategic direction is often predicated on understanding and working with these financing arrangements. Eli brings deep technical and industry knowledge to clients navigating the rapidly evolving sector,” Lee-Lim added.
