Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Buck Endemann and Elizabeth Crouse have joined the firm’s nationwide renewable energy practice as partners. Buck and Elizabeth previously led K&L Gates’ global renewables and power practice and have long served clients in the energy sector.
The pair have extensive experience advising clients in the development of renewable electricity, green hydrogen, renewable gas, offset, and carbon capture projects across the United States. Buck joins the firm’s Energy, Environment and Resources practice group in the San Francisco office and Elizabeth joins the Tax Practice in the Portland office.
“We are thrilled to welcome these two veteran renewable energy lawyers to the firm.” said Karen McGaffey, firmwide chair of Perkins Coie’s Environment, Energy and Resources practice. “Renewable energy developments are booming across the country, and Buck and Elizabeth’s regulatory, transactional, and tax equity expertise further bolsters our strong nationwide renewables team.”
Buck focuses his practice on renewable energy project development. He counsels clients on renewable power and fuels offtake, development agreements, EPC and supply agreements, and environmental attribute and carbon offset transactions. Buck’s regulatory practice includes environmental permitting and regulatory and enforcement matters before the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Air Resources Board, and the California Energy Commission. He is also Vice Chair of the Board at the Center for Sustainable Energy, a nationwide administrator of federal and state renewable energy and clean transportation incentives.
Elizabeth is a recognized thought leader on U.S. federal income tax credits and has a robust practice advising clients developing, acquiring, and investing in renewable electricity, renewable fuels, and carbon capture projects. She also advises a range of clients on ESG-related matters and domestic and international tax structuring. She is a frequent speaker on these topics, as well as the intersection of the new U.S. federal income tax credit regime and labor, supply chain, and manufacturing. Elizabeth also chairs the Renewable Hydrogen Alliance’s Oregon Policy Subcommittee and serves as a member of the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association’s Board Advisory Committee.
“With numerous federal tax credits available, tax issues are critical to the development of many large-scale power and renewable projects, and Elizabeth’s experience will help our clients successfully develop, acquire, and invest in those projects,” said Bob Mahon, chair of the firm’s Tax Practice. “We’re pleased that a tax lawyer of Elizabeth’s caliber chose to join our group at this pivotal moment for the renewable energy sector.”
Buck has a B.A. in psychology from Wake Forest University, and a J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of San Diego School of Law. Elizabeth holds a B.A. in applied sociology from Hawaii Pacific University, an M.A. in sociology from the University of Hawaii, a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan, and an LL.M. in taxation from New York University School of Law. Both Buck and Elizabeth also hold a certificate in Sustainable Capitalism and ESG from University of California, Berkeley Law.
Perkins Coie’s multi-disciplinary renewable energy practice is nationwide in scope and includes numerous Chambers USA ranked lawyers. It is widely recognized as a nationwide leader in the development of transmission and renewable energy projects throughout the United States.
Perkins Coie is a leading international law firm that is known for providing high-value, strategic solutions and extraordinary client service on matters vital to our clients’ success. With more than 1,200 lawyers in offices across the United States and Asia, we provide a full array of corporate, commercial litigation, intellectual property, and regulatory legal advice to a broad range of clients, including many of the world’s most innovative companies and industry leaders as well as public and not-for-profit organizations.
