Washington, DC. Nixon Peabody LLP has appointed Matthew Mullen as head of the global law firm’s Community Development Finance practice, which helps clients structure, negotiate, and close tax credit transactions that create positive impacts on communities throughout the country.
Based in the firm’s Washington, DC, office, Matt represents tax credit investors and developers seeking to use a variety of financing tools and advises clients in all aspects of the project development process. The Community Development Finance practice focuses on four key programs to help clients: Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits (HRTC), and Renewable Energy Tax Credits (RETC).
“Matt has a well-earned reputation with clients as a problem solver in complex tax credit transactions,” said Michael Goldman, head of Nixon Peabody’s Project Finance, Infrastructure & Real Estate Department. “That same approach will serve the practice well moving forward.”
In addition to working with clients to structure and close transactions, Matt works with them to asset-manage their investments, to help clients mitigate risk, and, ultimately, to help them exit investments following the conclusion of the investment’s regulatory compliance period. He also represents Nixon Peabody as a member of the Board of Directors of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC), a leading trade organization in the affordable housing and LIHTC industry.
“Clients depend on us not only to structure a deal and provide tax advice, but also to provide asset management, compliance, and legislative assistance,” said Matt. “These projects are complex and typically involve multiple financing sources. Simplifying transaction complexities for clients is always a primary objective.”
Matt, who joined Nixon Peabody in 2013, succeeds Gregory Doran as practice group leader. Greg is now serving on the firm’s Management Committee as a Strategic Impact Partner, while continuing to practice as one of the nation’s leading authorities on community development finance. Notably, Greg was a strong contributor to the regulations that are the framework for the NMTC program when he worked at the IRS Office of Chief Counsel prior to joining Nixon Peabody.
Tax credits programs help many community development ventures achieve financial feasibility, though working with tax credits requires a deep understanding of the very complex laws and administrative regulations and policies. Having helped shape the legislation that created the LIHTC, members of Nixon Peabody’s Community Development Finance team have contributed to every major federal housing program since 1970. Meanwhile, NMTCs support developments that revitalize underserved urban and rural neighborhoods—such as charter schools, health centers, grocery stores, community centers, and commercial and mixed-use developments. HRTCs encourage bringing new life to old buildings, such as theaters, former factories, armories, and department stores, while RETCs are another tool for financing the development of renewable energy facilities.
