Michael Bresson > Baker Botts L.L.P. > Houston, United States > Lawyer Profile

A firm that provides a ‘perfect understanding of client needs’ and a ‘deep knowledge of the business and market situations’, Baker Botts L.L.P. is dual-equipped to advise on a variety of debt and equity transactions as well as sophisticated tax equity financings. The group is witnessing an increased flow of both domestic and cross-border mandates across a number of different sectors such as oil and LNG, clean fuels, renewables and electric transmission, working with an esteemed roster of clients that includes multinational power producers and global asset managers. Dino Barajas spearheads the group from San Francisco who compliments his financing prowess with expert asset knowledge and an extensive cross-border practice that particularly focuses on Latin American projects. New York’s Ellen Friedman works with both developers and sponsors on renewable and energy transition ventures that includes, but is not limited to, solar, wind and battery storage projects as well as blue hydrogen and carbon capture and storage facilities. Houston-based Michael Bresson‘s federal income tax expertise ensures he is frequently sought out by a wealth of investors for their tax equity financing transactions, whereas New York’s John Papaspanos, while also possessing sharp tax acumen, has engaged with a breadth of M&A and debt financing structures over the past twelve months. Also based in New York, Frank Schoen is highlighted for his project finance, leveraged finance and acquisition finance work that spans both conventional and renewable energy sources. Vladimir Fet has advised on multiple high-value financings for various large sponsors and energy providers, operating out of San Francisco.

Baker Botts L.L.P.’s non-contentious tax department, primarily operating out of Texas, has an excellent reputation for its expertise in the energy space, regularly advising on mergers, joint ventures, restructurings, and spin-offs, as well as for its SALT practice. Dallas-based practice head Steve Marcus has longstanding expertise advising a wide variety of clients, particularly in the real estate and energy sectors. His expertise covers private equity investments, MLPs and REITs transactions, qualified opportunity zone investments, corporate spinoffs, M&A, and joint ventures. Houston’s Michael Bresson specializes in matters involving renewable energy transactions, publicly traded partnerships, YieldCos, and MLPs. Derek Green, with considerable experience in the oil and gas space, is deputy chair of the practice in Houston. William Gorrod, dividing his time between the firm’s San Francisco and New York offices, advises corporate clients and flow-through entities across a wide range of industries, including tech, financial services, energy, real estate, retail, manufacturing, and pharma. Joshua Mandell and Jon Lobb both stand out for their contributions. Tamar Stanley left the firm in May 2023 for an in-house role.

Capable of assisting with the full range of matters over the life cycle of energy projects, the team at Baker Botts L.L.P. acts for a range of developers and investors on projects in the US and abroad. Elaine Walsh in Washington DC is accomplished in energy company mergers, asset acquisitions, divestitures and investments, and renewable energy project development. She co-leads the department with New York-based Michael Didriksen, who is experienced in major transactions in the field. Project financing expert Dino Barajas is a key figure at the San Francisco office, while Michael Bresson in Houston is the name to note for federal income tax matters in renewable energy transactions. Project finance lawyer Ellen Friedman (New York) is another senior figure to note, and February 2023 partner appointment John Papaspanos is an example of the strength in depth across levels of seniority.