Our Spotlight series highlights the careers and lives of tax professionals across the globe. This week’s Spotlight is on Lauren A. Collins, a partner at Vinson & Elkins LLP in Los Angeles.
Collins’s practice focuses on tax matters related to project finance, with an emphasis on renewable energy and infrastructure assets. She has helped clients finance, acquire, and develop renewable energy projects involving solar, wind, energy storage, carbon sequestration, fuel cells, and biomass. She also has experience with tax aspects of mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations and bankruptcy, and new markets tax credits.
When she’s not working, you’ll find Collins chasing her toddler, taking in a true crime podcast, or enjoying an iced coffee.
What’s your official title and what does it mean? Tax partner, though I focus on renewables and project finance. As a partner, I work closely with my corporate and commercial counterparts to execute financing transactions for renewables and other infrastructure assets. I’m still a relatively junior partner, and earning the title and responsibilities that come with it is something I am incredibly proud of and take very seriously.
Free time: book, audiobook, or podcast? As a mom of a very active toddler, there is not a ton of time for recreational reading, but I love a good true crime podcast: “Serial,” “Criminal,” “My Favorite Murder.”
Tax is a huge subject. What’s your area of special interest? My practice focuses on renewables and project finance. Much of my practice involves renewable tax equity financing—a financing mechanism whereby investors are able to monetize federal tax credits available to renewable projects, especially solar and wind projects.
What’s the last movie or show that you watched and loved (DVD, Netflix, or in the theater)? Currently streaming the latest season of “Westworld,” though I still haven’t any idea what’s going on!
What college did you attend and what did you study? I attended the University of California, San Diego. After an ill-fated semester as a biology major, I wisely changed my major to political science. Then I attended the University of Southern California for my J.D. and New York University for my LL.M. in tax.
Go to pick-me-up: Coffee or tea? Coffee, preferably iced, regardless of the season.
What’s the best tax or financial advice that anyone ever gave you? Very early in my career, a colleague told me to max out my 401(k) contributions and do everything in my power to pay my student loans off as soon as possible. Seems very obvious now, but still the soundest piece of advice I have received.
If you weren’t working in the tax profession, what would your dream job be? Wedding planner. It may be cheesy, but I love a good wedding.
If you had the opportunity to make one change in the tax world—an extra credit, a disallowed deduction, whatever—what would it be? We just got one of the most sweeping pieces of energy tax legislation we’ve ever seen, so I would feel guilty asking for further changes, but one item that was missing was a credit for transmission assets. Our energy grid is in desperate need of more stability and upgrades, so the addition of this credit would be a huge help.
Favorite food, snack, or candy during tax season or other busy time? Popcorn. I recently upgraded from the microwaved version and purchased an air popper—game changer!
What tax news or move made the most impact on your practice or clients this past year? This one is very easy. I don’t think it is possible to overstate the impact of the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. We are already seeing meaningful changes in the market and renewable energy industry. It is incredibly exciting and makes me hopeful for our country’s energy and climate future.
If you received a big tax refund check right now, what would you do with it? Buy Twitter stock—kidding! Or am I ….
You can find out more about Collins on LinkedIn.
You can learn more about Collins’s firm, Vinson & Elkins, here.
If you’d like to recommend a tax pro to be featured, send your suggestion to rbaker@bloombergindustry.com with the subject: Spotlight. Please include the following information: tax professional’s name, title, email address, and geographic area (city/state/country).
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