Vinson & Elkins Adds Top Tax Lawyers in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Two highly-regarded tax partners with decades of experience in sophisticated tax planning for multinational corporations have joined Vinson & Elkins LLP.

Partners Gary R. Huffman and Joe Garcia Jr. come to the firm's Washington, D.C., office from Bingham McCutchen LLP.  

"Gary and Joe are world-class lawyers who perfectly complement our existing tax practice and add depth in areas of focus such as energy, publicly traded partnerships and representation of financial institutions," V&E Chairman Mark Kelly said. "Increasing our bandwidth in D.C. also is a key component of our firm-wide growth strategy. Having additional tax capabilities in the nation's capital will help us better serve our international client base."

Huffman and Garcia, who practiced together at tax and finance boutique McKee Nelson prior to the firm's 2009 merger with Bingham, bring additional synergies as the pair already represent many of V&E's longtime clients.

For more than 20 years Huffman has advised major multinationals, including some of the world's largest banks and oil and gas exploration and production companies. He adds to V&E's depth of experience in oil and gas taxation as well as in the structuring of, and raising capital for, master limited partnerships (MLPs). Huffman also has led major corporate acquisitions, disposition and spin-off transactions, and has structured countless strategic alliances, both domestic and international.

As an adjunct professor in the Georgetown University Tax Program, Huffman teaches advanced partnership taxation and is a frequent speaker on complex tax partnership issues. He also co-authored the treatise "Federal Taxation of Partnerships and Partners" (4th edition, copyright 2007). Gary received his law degree from The University of Texas School of Law in 1988, and was elected to Order of the Coif.

"V&E is home to some of the best energy, capital markets, M&A and tax lawyers in the world and is built around a strong culture of collegiality and collaboration," Huffman said. "Given V&E's reputation as a leader in the energy space and its impressive work in international transactions, we are certain the firm is a great platform for our practice."

Garcia concentrates his practice on a broad range of business tax issues with a focus on partnership taxation. He also advises clients in complex partnership and structured financing transactions. Garcia co-authored the WGL treatise "Federal Transaction of Partnerships and Partners: Structuring and Agreements" (copyright 2003) and was elected to the Order of the Coif at The University of Texas School of Law, where he received his law degree in 1986.

"I can't imagine a better fit with our group than Gary and Joe," said George M. Gerachis, head of V&E's Tax and Employment Benefits/Executive Compensation (EBEC) Department. "We have worked on both sides of the table with Gary and Joe on numerous matters, and they are not only top-notch tax lawyers but terrific individuals. We are intent on growing our Washington-based tax practice to serve our clients around the world, and Gary and Joe will lead the charge."

Vinson & Elkins LLP is an international law firm with 16 offices worldwide including: Abu Dhabi, Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Dubai, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Moscow, New York City, Palo Alto, Riyadh, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo and Washington, D.C.  

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SOURCE Vinson & Elkins LLP