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.

www.akingump.com