Baker Botts L.L.P. maintains longstanding expertise in the energy, technology, and financial services sectors and is highly active in both federal and SALT matters. The group, which demonstrates expertise in audits, appeals, and litigation, is additionally noted for its robust private client practice, which has expertise in estate and gift tax disputes. Houston-based SALT chair Renn Neilson covers disputes relating to sales tax, property tax, and income tax and is particularly sought out by clients in the energy sector. John Porter and Keri Brown work alongside Neilson in the Houston office and are both highly active on behalf of high net worth individuals and families. San Francisco’s Jon Feldhammer has a broad practice covering work for both individuals and public companies, while Ben Geslison, in Houston, is experienced as a trial and appellate litigator. William Gorrod left the firm in February 2024.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Most firms that handle estate and gift tax controversy matters are just dabbling in it - this firm is the stand-out firm that focuses on that specific niche area.'
- 'Keri Brown is a thought leader in the field. Her advice is practical, direct, and innovative.'
Key clients
- Archrock Partners Operating, LLC
- Cheniere Energy, Inc.
- Chesapeake Energy Corporation
- ENGIE North, America, Inc.
- Howard Energy Partners
- Hunt Woodbine Realty Corp.
- Kinder Morgan Production Company, LLC
- Lockheed Martin Corporation
- Lorraine Bean and Northern Trust Co.
- Midcoast Energy, LLC
- MoneyGram International, Inc.
- QEP Energy Company
- Solaris Oilfield Site Services Operating
- Sunnova Energy Corporation
- Texas Instruments Incorporated
- USA Compression Services LLC
Work highlights
- Assisted Corpus Christi Liquefaction LLC, a subsidiary of client Cheniere Energy, Inc., with a long-running sales-tax audit of its under-construction multibillion-dollar LNG processing plant.
- Represented ENGIE North America in several matters involving construction of highly capital-intensive renewables projects and the various state tax incentive agreements negotiated with local governments.
- Advised Texas-based Archrock Partners Operating LLC in connection with its extensive effort to assess and comply with state sales and use tax laws on the provision of natural-gas compression services, before the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Renn Neilson