Kemp Smith is pleased to announce the election of Matt Behrens as a partner in the firm’s Corporate and Business Department. Matt’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, entity formation, federal and state tax matters, renewable energy, electric utility regulation, and municipal law. Besides his extensive negotiating and drafting skills, he also brings to the firm his years of Big?4 tax-accounting experience where he developed an understanding of tax issues faced by electric utilities and other members of the energy sector. This unique blend of skills facilitates his comprehensive approach to legal and financial challenges.

In the energy sector, Matt has extensive experience with regulatory filings before the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. Additionally, he has negotiated and drafted multiple purchased power agreements (PPA) and engineering procurement and construction agreements (EPC) for utility-scale renewable and battery energy storage system projects. His experience in this field is marked by a strategic approach to regulatory compliance, advancing renewable energy and utility initiatives, through his work on proposed legislation and rule makings in the energy sector.

Matt holds a Juris Doctor from Temple University and a Master's in Professional Accounting and Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Beyond his legal and accounting expertise, he is committed to community service, holding board positions with evolve Federal Credit Union and Creative Kids. Some may even recognize him as Herr?Drosselmeyer in the El Paso Ballet Theater Company’s annual production of The?Nutcracker.