Press Release
Press Release
Press Contacts: Erik Cummins, Matt Hyams, Olivia Thomas
08.15.23
Don Lonczak, a seasoned tax attorney with more than 30 years of transactional tax experience, including with energy sector tax credits, has joined Pillsbury’s Washington, DC office as a partner. He comes to the firm from Bracewell LLP.
“With almost $400 billion in federal funding and tax incentives now becoming available under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Don’s arrival comes at a very exciting time for energy project sponsors and developers,” said Nora Burke, the global head of Pillsbury’s Tax practice. “Lawyers with Don’s expansive knowledge of renewable energy tax credits are rare and in incredibly high demand as the energy industry seizes on the opportunities before them. We are thrilled to have him on board.”
Lonczak has extensive experience successfully structuring renewable energy projects eligible for production tax credits (PTC) or investment tax credits (ITC). More recently, he has been working closely with clients on the qualification requirements for new tax credits made available under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. He also advises clients on tax-related aspects of mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate spin-offs, public and private financings, bankruptcies, financial products and private equity investments, as well as international tax matters relating to inbound and outbound investments, multinational corporate restructurings and tax treaty benefits. Prior to practicing law, Lonczak was a Certified Public Accountant.
Lonczak is the latest addition to Pillsbury, a law firm that has long been at the fore of the ongoing energy transition. Pillsbury also recently welcomed former U.S. Congressman Jerry McNerney—once described as the “Science Guy” in Congress—to add to its already strong energy policy credentials.
Pillsbury is ranked as one of the Top 10 firms for advising on energy VC financings (PitchBook) and as a leading advisor on energy and infrastructure project development and finance, renewable and alternative power generation, energy M&A and capital markets transactions, energy regulatory matters, and other climate change-related activity (Chambers, The Legal 500). Pillsbury lawyers regularly enable innovative startups to secure funding; establish corporate entities to invest in and deploy new energy technologies; enable critical regulatory changes; and unite the renewable energy sector to drive meaningful progress. The firm was the first to launch a dedicated advanced nuclear practice, the first to launch a dedicated Hydrogen practice and is leading the way on Fusion and a range of Climatetech solutions.
Lonczak noted, “Pillsbury is a recognized leader in the energy transition space, advising on major solar, wind, hydrogen, fusion and other exciting and innovative renewables projects around the world. I look forward to joining such a knowledgeable and experienced group and helping the firm’s clients navigate complex tax issues and bring groundbreaking energy and infrastructure projects to fruition.”
Pillsbury advises companies around the world and across industries in undertaking, utilizing and investing in complex energy technologies across all energy sources and uses to successfully navigate the energy transition. From helping to advance new energy technologies to providing established companies with guidance on meeting decarbonization goals, Pillsbury provides energy stakeholders with comprehensive industry experience and a track record of innovation and success.