Vivek Chandrasekhar, a former lawyer with the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Tax Policy, joined Perkins Coie’s tax and environment, energy and resources practices as a partner in Washington, D.C.
Chandrasekhar, who helped develop guidance for energy projects related to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) while at the Treasury, will strengthen the firm’s capabilities advising on tax law and policy as tax credit considerations continue to drive major energy projects and AI data center developments and investment across the country.
“Tax considerations are critical to many energy-focused transactions and will remain so amid the fast-evolving tax credit policy environment,” Meredith Weinberg, chair of the firm’s environment, energy and resources practice, said. “Vivek has a deep understanding of this shifting landscape and the tax credit implications for energy companies and investors. He is a valuable addition to our national team in terms of the counsel he’ll be able to provide to our clients.”
In addition to his energy sector work at Treasury, Chandrasekhar provided guidance on the IRA’s healthcare provisions, as well as other business and individual tax issues. Before moving to the Treasury, Vivek served as legislation counsel at the Joint Committee on Taxation, advising the U.S. Congress on legislation involving income taxes; trust, estate and gift taxes; payroll tax; excise taxes; and other areas of tax law.
Prior to his roles in government, Chandrasekhar was a tax associate at a boutique law firm, where he counseled real estate private equity fund sponsors and represented clients facing petitions to enforce IRS summons before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
“I’m excited to join Perkins Coie at this pivotal time as the tax policy landscape continues to evolve amid increased energy demand, particularly for new AI data centers across the country,” Chandrasekhar said. “I’m looking forward to helping sophisticated clients navigate the changing tax credit marketplace and to supporting the success of their investments.”
Chandrasekhar earned his B.A. from Indiana University and his J.D. from New York University School of Law.
