Akin Expands Energy & Infrastructure Platform with Addition of Tax Equity Partner Richard Wright
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(New York) – Akin announced today that Richard Wright has joined the firm as a tax partner in its New York office, expanding the firm’s tax equity, project development, tax credit transfer and equipment leasing experience in the renewable energy and energy transition space.
Wright’s practice focuses on the tax aspects of complex, high-dollar tax equity transactions in the renewable energy space and project development transactions, with additional experience in diverse industries including traditional energy, equipment leasing and aerospace leasing and finance. He also regularly renders advice to investors and developers regarding start of construction matters, prevailing wage and apprenticeship compliance, placement in service issues, tax credit transfers and energy credit, production tax credit and other tax credit qualification issues.
“Demand for end‑to‑end counsel on energy and infrastructure transactions—including tax equity structures—continues to accelerate across our client base,” said Akin co-chair Abid Qureshi. “Richard’s arrival expands our capacity to deliver at scale on high‑stakes energy transactions and projects. He will be a tremendous asset to our clients and our team.”
“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) has significantly increased demand for tax counsel, with developers pursuing safe‑harbor strategies and tax credit transferability continuing to drive the market,” said corporate practice co‑head Zachary Wittenberg. “Richard deepens our bench on these complex renewable energy transactions and will be a valuable resource for clients navigating the post‑OBBBA deal landscape.”
Wright is the latest addition to the firm’s comprehensive energy & infrastructure platform, with Akin having added energy tax partner Mary Alexander in Washington, D.C.; projects & energy transition partners Ron Erlichman, Nick Atwood and Chadron Edwards in New York and April Kim in California; energy transactions partners Charlie Ofner and Trent Bridges; private equity partner Andrew Lehman and capital markets partner Bryan Flannery in Houston; and energy transactions partner Rob Butler in London since 2024.
“Akin has market-leading tax and projects & energy transition practices, including highly-skilled attorneys who have the expertise to close sophisticated tax equity and tax credit transfer transactions that are essential to financing major energy projects,” said Wright on his move to the firm. “I look forward to joining the dynamic team at Akin and collaborating with the firm’s tax and global energy & infrastructure team to grow my practice and help clients seize opportunities in this evolving market.”
Wright joins Akin from Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP.
About Akin’s Energy & Infrastructure Practice
Akin is a leading advisor to companies and capital providers across the energy value chain. Our global, interdisciplinary team has market-leading experience across upstream, midstream, downstream, energy services and the spectrum of energy transition projects, including wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric, bioenergy, carbon capture, renewable natural gas, landfill gas, hydrogen, ammonia and sustainable aviation fuel. We serve as trusted counsel to public and private energy companies, private equity, credit, infrastructure and other investors, and management teams worldwide. We help clients develop, finance, construct, operate, buy and sell energy and infrastructure projects and companies throughout the world.
About Akin’s Tax Practice
Every decision a business makes—from choice of entity through daily operations to ultimate dissolution—has complex and critical tax implications. By providing experienced guidance to help limit liability through sound planning, meticulous preparation and creative solutions to tax challenges, Akin 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. Our tax team offers multidisciplinary services to ensure that no consideration is neglected in even the most complex transactions.
Akin 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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