Akin Gump Adds Tax Partner Jocelyn D. Tau in Houston
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(Houston) – Akin Gump is pleased to announce that Jocelyn D. Tau has joined the firm as a tax partner in its Houston office. Ms. Tau has extensive experience working on matters pertaining to the taxation of master limited partnerships (MLPs), private equity transactions and structures, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations and capital market transactions, particularly within the energy industry. She comes to Akin Gump from Hunton Andrews Kurth.
“Jocelyn adds great depth to our formidable tax practice in Texas, where we have particular strength in energy sector transactions,” said Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith. “With her extensive knowledge and deep background advising on complicated deals, Jocelyn will be highly sought out by our clients, and I am delighted to welcome her to Akin Gump.”
Ms. Tau’s MLP work, primarily on behalf of clients in the energy space, includes advising on capital formation, ongoing qualification, and acquisition and disposition activities. She has served as tax counsel to both issuers and underwriters in connection with numerous MLP initial public offerings, debt offerings and follow-on offerings. She has also cultivated significant experience advising on the tax aspects of M&A, capital markets and restructuring transactions.
In addition, Ms. Tau advises clients on federal income tax issues in public and private mergers and acquisitions, including tax-free reorganizations, with an emphasis on business transaction planning. She has also represented clients before the IRS Office of Appeals and the U.S. Tax Court.
“Our clients, including those in the energy sector and others in the corporate space, will benefit greatly from Jocelyn joining us,” said Stuart E. Leblang, co-head of Akin Gump’s tax practice. “Her skillset will be a great complement to those of our existing robust tax team in Texas, and I am excited to have her with us.”
Ms. Tau added, “Akin Gump’s tax and energy teams have developed a reputation for advising on sophisticated deals involving MLPs. Bringing my practice here, where I will be able to advise both U.S. and overseas clients on these matters, is a great opportunity. I look forward to joining my new colleagues, including Alison Chen, whom I have known for many years, and getting to work on behalf of clients.”
Ms. Tau received her J.D., with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law and her A.B. from Harvard University.
About Akin Gump’s Tax Practice
By providing experienced guidance to help limit liability through sound planning, meticulous preparation and creative solutions to tax challenges, Akin Gump supports clients in making the right decisions and planning for the future. Our global team of recognized leaders helps guide clients through even their most daunting circumstances.
Akin Gump is one of only a handful of law firms in the United States with an extensive background—and broadly based representation of participants—in the MLP sector. Lawyers in the firm’s energy practice were pioneers in the MLP sector, participating in the development of the MLP “product” in the energy industry almost 30 years ago. Since then, Akin Gump has represented MLPs, sponsors, underwriters, lenders, boards and board committees and other investors in formation, corporate governance, M&A, operational and financing (including public and private offerings of equity and debt) activities, many of which have issues that are unique to MLPs.
Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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