Tim Urban leads the Bracewell tax policy practice out of the firm’s Washington, DC-based Policy Resolution Group. He is an experienced tax lobbyist who has advocated for clients on every major tax bill introduced in Congress over the past 20 years. He represents companies on business tax issues, extension of temporary tax provisions, and federal tax policies affecting the energy sector.

Drawing on his two decades at a “Big Four” accounting firm’s tax policy group, Tim’s work has spanned the breadth of the Internal Revenue Code. He has coordinated ad hoc coalitions of taxpayers pursuing extension of temporary tax provisions and sector-wide groups of Washington-based trade associations.

Regarding federal energy tax policy, he has represented and advised companies on tax policy issues affecting conventional energy companies, such as the 45Q credit for carbon capture and storage (CCS); investment incentives for purchases of renewable energy plant property; and production and blending tax credits for clean fuels including biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.

Tim previously served as the Committee on Ways and Means Staff Associate for a member of the House tax-writing committee. In that capacity, he advised on business and energy tax policy issues; wrote member speeches; drafted legislation and supporting materials; and coordinated closely with tax committees and the staff of the congressional Joint Committee on Taxation.

Russ Sullivan is a prominent U.S. tax attorney and advocate. Sullivan translates federal policy and the U.S. tax code for clients’ boards and members and identifies untapped opportunities. He has developed the leading energy tax policy practice, representing utilities, oil and gas enterprises, renewable energy developers and energy start-ups, building upon the experience he gained firsthand on these issues during his 14 years of service staffing the Senate Finance Committee. During his time staffing Congress, Sullivan saw some of the most important issues within the energy sector come before the committee and helped draft landmark legislation, including the 2005 and 2007 Energy Policy Acts and the legislation initiating the “commence construction” within the Internal Revenue Code.

Sullivan is passionate about at-risk youth, has served as legal guardian for 22 teenagers, and has continually fought for an increase in the adoption tax credit. He proudly serves on the board of directors for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.

Kurt Kovarik serves as Vice President, Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America, leading members in advocating federal policies that support the industry’s growth. Kovarik has helped the industry secure a long-term extension of the biodiesel tax incentive; preserve important protections against unfair international trade; ensure the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard program; and organize the industry’s advocacy for equitable tax, infrastructure, and environmental policies. Kovarik formerly worked more than 20 years in the office of Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), leading efforts on the Renewable Fuel Standard, the biodiesel tax incentive, and increased use of biofuels. An Iowa native, Kovarik graduated from Luther College with a degree in political science.