Photo of John Lawson

With a passion for environmental matters and renewable energy, John focuses his practice on real estate law.

Inspired by the environmental movement, John decided to pursue a career in law in order to more actively participate in environmental protection and sustainability. While a student at Harvard Law School, John stood out in his clinic work, where he drafted proposals for Massachusetts municipalities to reduce natural gas use. This experience, along with his work as a law clerk at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and as a legal intern at the New Hampshire Environmental Protection Bureau, equipped him with a deep understanding of environmental regulations and their enforcement.

At Husch Blackwell, John focuses on the Real Estate & Development practice area, especially contracts concerning renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind. He values the opportunity to help clients get renewable infrastructure projects off the ground and loves digging into the intricacies of the contracts that make these projects possible.

John is known as a good listener with an eye for detail. He is quick to absorb information and is always willing to put in the time required to deliver high-quality work. Clients can trust that they will always be at the center of John’s attention, and that he will work tirelessly to get their development projects to the finish line.

On April 30, 2024, the Department of the Treasury issued final regulations on tax credit transfers that allow hydrogen producers to sell tax credits earned under § 45V of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Section 6418 of the Internal Revenue Code and the final regulation issued thereunder allow credit purchasers to use purchased credits to offset their tax liability. Credit sellers will be able to sell credits that they would not otherwise be able to use due to insufficient tax liability. Given such powerful incentives, many energy producers are wondering how to add “green” hydrogen (discussed below) to their portfolios by powering hydrogen facilities with wind turbines and solar panels. Here, we discuss what wind and solar producers should keep in mind as they plan, negotiate, and begin developing hydrogen plants powered by renewable energy, with a particular focus on site control.