Orrick adds energy tax expert in New York

Orrick has announced that Mark A. Caterini has joined the firm’s tax practice as a partner, resident in its New York office.0

Mark is a tax lawyer with particular focus on tax-incented financing of renewable energy projects. He is the 21st partner to join Orrick’s energy team this year, following the firm’s opening of its Houston office and growth of its London and Paris teams. Mark joins Orrick from O’Melveny & Myers.

Mark earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and his B.A. and B.S., summa cum laude, from Boston College.

Mark focuses his practice on partnership tax, tax credits and other tax incentives related to renewable energy projects and advises sponsors, equity investors and lenders in all stages of those transactions and in infrastructure projects generally. He also has a broader tax practice that includes counseling sellers, acquirers, investors, lenders and underwriters on the tax planning and structuring of transactions, including taxable and tax-free corporate mergers, spin-offs, stock, asset and joint venture acquisitions and related financing. In addition, Mark has extensive experience in the tax aspects of restructuring transactions and in cross-border tax planning.

Chas Cardall, head of Orrick’s tax practice, stated:

“Our energy lawyers, and in particular our energy tax experts, have worked across the table from Mark for years and have always admired his skill, creativity and style of practice. His experience and reputation are unsurpassed in the energy, infrastructure and restructuring sectors, and we’re thrilled to have him join the Orrick team.”

Mark Weitzel, who serves as co-head of Orrick’s energy & infrastructure practice with Blake H. Winburne, added:

“Mark brings an essential skillset for our clients in the tax equity financing market, an area where Orrick is one of the most active firms in the market. Adding Mark deepens our strong tax bench, which is critical given the scale of our practice, and adds a new dimension of experience and thought leadership.”

Mark commented:

"I have long admired Orrick’s team, and I can’t imagine a more exciting time to join," said Mark. "I don’t think there’s a firm with a stronger commitment to serving the energy and infrastructure sectors, and particularly the renewable energy market."

Orrick advises players in the renewable energy market, including sponsors, developers, cash and tax equity investors, and lenders. Most recently, the firm advised Recurrent in the debt and equity financing of utility scale solar projects valued at $3 billion, and counseled Pattern on the construction, financing and tax equity for the 150 MW Amazon Wind Farm Fowler Ridge. Orrick’s renewables practice is nationally ranked Tier 1 by Legal 500 and Band 2 by Chambers USA.