Go Back

Norman L. Jones

A relationship is at the core of every transaction. Smooth transactions build relationships.

Contact: P /612.604.6605E /[email protected]

Education

University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1996

Hillsdale College, B.A., honors, magna cum laude, 1992

Bar Admissions

Minnesota

Iowa

My Approach

My core aim as a tax credit finance attorney is to find money to build infrastructure that makes our country a better place. In this work, I primarily advise capital providers in the renewables industries; some have been working these types of transactions for years, and others come to us with their first tax credit deal. Our team meets each client where their needs are; for first-time investors, we provide quick working guidance first, and then deepen their knowledge and capabilities over time.

I believe two things make transactions succeed: having the right team, and choosing the right transaction partners. I feel lucky to be a part of the Winthrop team, which includes some of the most talented, eager and goal-oriented professionals I have seen in tax credit financing. And over time we have developed deep relationships with a broad network of other professionals in the industry. The days I enjoy most are the ones where I can connect developers, lenders and investors and help them find the right fit.

So far, our team has helped finance enough renewables for over 1,000,000 people.

A Groundbreaking Moment in My Career

Prior to 2008, my main focus was on developer side work. The financial turmoil in 2008-2009 created a vacuum in the tax equity market that was painful for many developers. There was a day when I decided the best way I could help was to create more certainty in the tax equity markets by helping more institutional investors enter and stay in the market and connecting them with good developers. That has been my focus ever since.

Practice Areas

Practicing Tax Credit Financing & Syndication

My Experience

I have represented institutional investors and developers in working with federal and state tax credits of all kinds, including Energy Credits, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and Historic Tax Credits.

Representative Matters

Energy Credits

• Approximately 150 solar and storage projects financed annually.
• Primarily represent tax equity and debt providers for C&I, CSG, and utility projects.
• Represent select developers on tax credit issues, equity, and debt financing arrangements,

Historic Tax Credits:

• Supervised approximately 500 federal and state historic tax credit transactions.
• Investor counsel for multiple federal historic investors.
• Fund counsel for national and state credit funds, including in Virginia, Ohio, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Louisiana and Indiana.
• Represent several active historic bridge lenders, bridging state and federal historic equity
• Pioneered new state credit fund structures in response to the Virginia Historic state credit case.
• Guided investors through evolving legal landscape, including the Virginia Historic case, the Boardwalk case, the IRS HTC Safe Harbor, and Tax Reform.

Low Income Housing Tax Credits:

• Closed approximately 250 LIHC equity transactions as developer counsel.
• Responsible for approximately 600 LIHC debt transactions as lender counsel.

New Markets Tax Credits

• Closed approximately 90 NMTC financings as developer, lender, or investor counsel.

Also experienced in

Real Estate Development & Transactions

Renewable Energy Development & Construction

Honors & Awards

The Best Lawyers in America©

Real Estate Law, 2018-2025

Associations & Memberships

Minnesota State Bar Association

Taxation Section