Ben Cheatham Joins Troutman Pepper Locke as Partner, Boosting Tax and Benefits Capabilities Across Renewables Sector

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ben Cheatham has joined Troutman Pepper Locke’s Tax and Benefits Practice Group as a partner in the Washington, D.C., office. His arrival enhances the firm’s transactional tax capabilities and further solidifies its market‑leading platform in the rapidly evolving energy sector.

Cheatham joins Troutman Pepper Locke from McDermott Will & Schulte, bringing deep experience in U.S. federal income tax matters in the renewable and transitional energy sectors. He advises clients across the full spectrum of energy projects, from financing and development through operation, acquisition, and disposition. Cheatham has a particular focus on investment, manufacturing, and power production tax credits; credit transfer transactions; and compliance with the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements.

“Ben’s arrival reinforces our long-term strategy to expand our energy tax capabilities,” said Jim Earle, leader of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Tax and Benefits Practice Group. “His breadth of experience handling projects from early-stage structuring through exit will be crucial to clients facing complex tax issues in the renewables space.”

Cheatham represents lenders, sponsors, and borrowers as tax counsel in a wide range of transactions and has advised clients under IRS audit and in litigation with the U.S. Department of Justice. He led renewables tax planning for one of the largest renewable energy developers in the U.S., providing strategic guidance on IRA implementation and organizational tax matters.

“As regulatory pressure reshapes the renewables landscape, clients need highly skilled advisors like Ben who understand how tax rules are driving their markets in real time,” added Chris Jones, Washington, D.C., office managing partner and leader of the firm’s Energy Regulatory Practice Group. “His invaluable in-house experience enables him to anticipate client needs and deliver practical, industry‑informed solutions that support energy projects in D.C. and across the country.”

“Troutman Pepper Locke’s long-standing reputation for being at the cutting edge of market development is what makes the firm an ideal home for my practice,” said Cheatham. “I’m excited to join this team and contribute to helping clients navigate complex energy tax landscapes.”

Troutman Pepper Locke’s Tax and Benefits Practice Group helps clients navigate the complexities of inbound and outbound tax issues, develop and implement strategies that support their tax plans, and comply with the rules of multiple jurisdictions. Clients benefit from tailored tax strategies that align with their local and global business objectives, ensuring efficient transaction planning and workforce management. The firm’s tax attorneys bring significant experience across all major industry sectors, including health sciences, private equity, manufacturing, financial services, insurance, energy, and real estate.

Troutman Pepper Locke

Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.