John Cobb

John Cobb uses a combination of deep technical knowledge and sound practical judgment to solve clients’ most challenging tax problems. His experience includes transactional planning, policy advocacy before Congress and the Treasury Department, and assisting clients in the Internal Revenue Service administrative process and in tax controversies in both federal and state courts. The breadth of John’s experience allows him to develop and execute strategies to achieve a client’s ultimate objectives, whether that means planning to proactively optimize tax efficiency and mitigate future tax risks, resolving disputes after a controversy has already started, or advocating for a change in law.

John focuses on areas where navigating the twists and turns presented by complex tax rules is critical to achieving a client’s mission.

Renewable Energy and Carbon Sequestration

A large portion of John's practice is dedicated to advising developers, investors, and trade organizations in matters relating to federal tax incentives for renewable energy production and carbon sequestration. He has represented developers and investors in transaction and controversy matters involving both production tax credits (PTCs) and investment tax credits (ITCs) in the wind, solar, biomass, landfill gas, refined coal, and other industries. John also works on behalf of industry stakeholders and trade organizations to advocate for legislative and administrative solutions that will allow the renewable energy industry to continue to thrive.

John’s practice has been at the cutting edge of section 45Q carbon sequestration credits, helping clients to advocate for regulations to implement these credits and to structure some of the largest and most sophisticated sequestration projects in the country. He serves as outside general counsel to a prominent research organization dedicated to studying transportation-energy issues.

Exempt Organizations and Other Nonprofits

Tax-exempt organizations and other nonprofits look to John for assistance on both tax and governance matters. He has helped clients form, and receive exempt status for, public charities, private foundations, social welfare organizations, advocacy organizations, and business leagues. His practice also includes ongoing compliance with the tax rules governing exempt organizations, including extensive experience in obtaining private letter rulings on behalf of exempt organizations and disqualified persons.

Additionally, John counsels nonprofit organizations and their Boards on governance matters. He serves as governance and fiduciary counsel to one of the nation’s largest Congressionally-chartered nonprofit organizations.

Business and Private Client

John advises domestic and international clients on federal and state income tax aspects of corporate and partnership transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, and joint ventures. John also assists ultra-high net worth individuals and family offices in resolving the complex and interconnected issues affecting their personal and business activities. John's private client practice focuses on cross-border income tax planning, and he also assists clients with estate tax, gift tax, and charitable giving matters.

Blockchain

As a member of Steptoe's blockchain practice, John advises clients on tax and commercial considerations of holding and issuing blockchain-based digital assets. Prior to law school, John consulted for the Department of Defense's Cryptographic Modernization Project, where he provided technical advice concerning the cryptographic techniques that underlie blockchain technology. This technical background allows him to better understand clients’ business and investment concerns and how to align these issues with appropriate tax solutions.

Qualified Opportunity Funds

John has been on the forefront of qualified opportunity zone projects from the enactment of these tax incentives in 2017. He assisted a key group of stakeholders in advocating for the implementing regulations that were needed for qualified opportunity funds to deliver new capital to low-income areas and increase economic growth in distressed communities. John has advised fund sponsors in structuring multi-billion dollar qualified opportunity funds and in ongoing compliance with the wide array of rules and regulations. John also advises investors in qualified opportunity funds to help ensure that they will be able to realize the tax benefits that can be provided by these investments.