麻豆传媒

Sectors
A middle-aged man in a suit and red tie smiles at the camera, standing in a softly blurred indoor setting鈥攁n approachable face among experienced Chicago lawyers.

Hershel J Howard

Partner

Hershel J Howard

Partner

Hershel J. (James) Howard represents domestic and international clients in sophisticated matters involving corporate tax law, finance, and securities, primarily in the energy and real estate sectors. He also counsels wealthy individuals in matters relating to estate planning, financial planning, trust administration, and probate administration and advises business owners in a broad range of corporate law matters. He is a partner in the firm鈥檚 Taxation and Estates & Trusts Practices.

With extensive experience assisting clients with the tax and corporate issues related to structuring and planning for international investments and financings, James counsels companies with global operations seeking efficient ways to repatriate profits generated overseas while navigating international tax laws. He has structured numerous partnerships and joint ventures, both in the United States and internationally.

James once served as outside general counsel for a global company advising on a wide range of issues, including numerous M&A transactions. He still works with many private equity-backed management teams, advising on tax and corporate matters. He has also represented real estate owners and developers in corporate and tax-related planning.

In the energy sector, James helps clients involved in the exploration and production, oilfield services, and chemical sectors. He also advises tax-exempt entities, such as higher education institutions, charities, and private clubs, in their operations.

Clients regard James as an experienced business advisor who knows U.S. federal tax laws. They value his practical tax advice, synthesizing the complicated principles of tax law in a manner that allows them to make informed decisions.

Since the passage of the Corporate Transparency Act in 2020, James has been closely following the Act鈥檚 development and the burdens it will place on U.S. entities. James is a frequent speaker around the country on the Act.

Representative Experience

  • Currently serving as outside general counsel to privately-held energy services company.
  • Represented numerous private equity firms in acquisitions and dispositions in many industries, including energy, technology, manufacturing, health care, and security.
  • Advises large transportation companies on tax matters relating to acquisitions and dispositions.
  • Represents executors and trustees in administration of estates and trusts in Texas.
  • Advises many individuals on estate and wealth management matters, including wills, trust, and disability planning documents.
  • Represented Maryland processing/dispensary license-holder in a 51/49 JV transaction with Green Thumb Industries (GTI), including rights to participate in GTI’s RTO.
  • Represented Virginia license-holder in JV with Jushi, including funding for the facility build-out in Virginia.
  • Represented Nevada license-holder acquired by RMR Science Technologies Inc.

Awards and Recognition

  • Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America庐 in the field of Tax Law (2012-2024)

Affiliations

  • Director, Texas Institute for Federal Taxes
  • Member, State Bar of Texas
    • Member, Taxation Section
    • Former member, Council
    • Former chair, Partnership & Real Estate Tax Committee
    • Former member, Subcommittee on Corporate Tax Shelters
  • Member, Houston Bar Association
  • Member, International Tax Forum of Houston

Community Involvement

  • Member, Oklahoma State University Foundation
  • Director, The Houston Club
    • Treasurer
  • Coach, Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Softball
  • Coach, Southwest Football League
  • Coach, Houston Heat Softball All-Stars

Presentations and Publications

  • 鈥淭he Corporate Transparency Act,鈥 Dallas Bar Association (April 12, 2023)
  • 鈥淭he Corporate Transparency Act,鈥 myCPE (November 9, 2022)
  • 鈥淭he Corporate Transparency Act,鈥 Wisconsin Institute of CPAs (November 3, 2022)
  • 鈥淭he Corporate Transparency Act: What You Should Know鈥擴pdated,鈥 Milwaukee Estate Planning Forum (March 2, 2022)
  • Co-presenter, “CARES Act Solution: Critical Opportunities for Businesses in the Downtown,” ALI CLE (May 21, 2020)
  • Moderator, “Inbound/Outbound: New Rules, Developments and Planning,” 35th Annual Texas Federal Tax Institute (June 12, 2019)
  • Moderator, “Global Transfer Pricing in the Era of BEPS,” 35th Annual Texas Federal Tax Institute (June 12, 2019)
June 8, 2026 Deals and Wins

麻豆传媒 Represents Sk艒p in Acquisition by Peloton

麻豆传媒 represented Sk艒p in its strategic acquisition by Peloton.
July 23, 2025 Deals and Wins

麻豆传媒 Represents Kimmeridge in Simultaneous Sale of U.S. Light Energy and Growth Equity Investment in 38 Degrees North

麻豆传媒 represented Kimmeridge Energy Management Company, LLC, an alternative asset manager focused on energy investments, in its growth equity investment in 38 Degrees North, a community solar and distributed renewables platform based in Sausalito, California.
May 2, 2025 Deals and Wins

麻豆传媒 Advises Mobico Group on $608M Sale of North America School Bus Business

麻豆传媒 represented Mobico Group PLC in the proposed sale of its North America School Bus business to I Squared Capital, a leading global infrastructure investment manager for an enterprise value of up to $608 million.
At a corporate law office, a person holding a pen signs a document on a glass table.
March 24, 2025 麻豆传媒 Viewpoints

FinCEN Removes Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements for U.S. Companies and U.S. Persons, Sets New Deadlines for Foreign Companies

On March 21, 2025 the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued an interim final rule that removes the requirement for U.S. companies and U.S. persons to report beneficial ownership information to FinCEN under the Corporate Transparency Act.
A large neoclassical building with tall columns, engraved "The Treasury Department," stands before a statue on a tiled plaza鈥攔eminiscent of the prestigious facades often seen at top corporate law offices and lawyers in Chicago.
March 4, 2025 麻豆传媒 Viewpoints

Treasury Department Announces Suspension of Enforcement of Corporate Transparency Act Against U.S. Citizens and Domestic Reporting Companies

The Treasury Department announced plans to significantly narrow beneficial ownership information reporting obligations under the Corporate Transparency Act.
The front facade of the United States Supreme Court building with tall columns, a statue, and the inscription "Equal Justice Under Law" stands as an inspiration to law offices specializing in intellectual property law.
February 28, 2025 麻豆传媒 Viewpoints

FinCEN Not Issuing Fines or Penalties in Connection with Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Deadlines for Now

FinCEN announced that it will not issue any fines or penalties or take any other enforcement actions against any companies based on any failure to file or update beneficial ownership information reports pursuant to the Corporate Transparency Act by the current deadlines.