Sidley Austin LLP is pleased to announce that Michael O’Hara Duff has joined the firm as a partner in the Los Angeles office. Mr. Duff is a tax lawyer with extensive experience structuring complex partnerships and limited liability companies used to acquire a variety of renewable and clean energy assets.

His move to Sidley continues the expansion of Sidley’s energy practice, which opened a Houston office last month with seven partners known for their significant experience in the energy industry.

“Mike’s tax experience has made him invaluable to the creation and structuring of large and complex energy projects,” said Anne E. Rea, the member of Sidley’s Management Committee responsible for its West Coast offices. “He is a perfect fit for our significant and expanding energy practice.”

Mr. Duff practices in the area of federal taxation, with an emphasis on matters relating to renewable energy, partnership taxation and infrastructure/project finance. He has extensive experience at structuring complex partnerships and limited liability companies used to acquire a variety of renewable and clean energy assets including wind, solar, geothermal and biomass facilities. Mr. Duff also has extensive experience in dealing with the tax aspects of financing the acquisition of a variety of assets through leveraged lease structures and has represented clients in like-kind exchanges of multiple types of assets. He has advised clients in over $15 billion worth of investments in renewable energy assets.

“Sidley’s energy practice has always been strong, and I’m pleased to be a part of its continued expansion,” Duff said. “The firm’s exceptional reputation and its global platform give me a great opportunity to expand my practice.”

Mr. Duff earned a J.D. from Vanderbilt University Law School and a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles.