Energy: renewable/alternative power in United States

Chaired by Kent Rowey in New York, the ‘always available, very knowledgeable, and personable‘ team at Allen & Overy LLP is a multifaceted group which brings together considerable experience in guiding clients through the full life-cycle of a renewable power project. Although it is well positioned to handle energy project M&A, exit strategies, project structuring, construction and regulatory matters, it stands out in the market for its wide-ranging capabilities in the financing space. Testament to this is the group’s involvement in some of the largest and first-of-their kind transactions on behalf of major sponsors, developers, project companies and financiers across the renewable energy spectrum. The practice has experienced a significant expansion over the past year, following the addition of six market-leading partners from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, along with the opening of its West Coast offices. Daniel Sinaiko, who is retained by clients in relation to their most complex and high-value transactions in the alternative power sector, is a thought leader on power and renewables. He is based in Los Angeles, where Matthew Nesburn is go-to advisor for large foreign energy companies breaking into the North American market. John Marciano in Washington DC is praised for his longstanding expertise in tax equity and project finance. All three practitioners joined from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in March 2021. Sam Kamyans in DC, whose experience covers tax equity and carbon capture project financing, and New York-based Greg Lavigne, who has led on the financing of the first syndicated tax equity investment fund and the first solar and storage peaker plant in the world, are also among the recent arrivals.

Providing coast-to-coast coverage and benefitting from a global network of offices, Latham & Watkins LLP advises clients on the entire spectrum of legal issues that arise in the renewable energy sector, cutting across offshore and onshore wind, utility and distributed solar power, energy storage and emerging electric power technologies. The ‘very commercially oriented and practical‘ team maintains a busy and varied workload, which features high-end M&A, secured lending, corporate finance and project development. Some of the most notable players in the sector turn to the team for assistance with complex and innovative deals in North America- recent examples include advising on the largest portfolio of battery storage assets financed to date and the world’s largest battery storage project. Based in Los Angeles, Jeffrey Greenberg serves as global chair of the firm’s project development and finance practice. He is widely recognised as a preeminent project finance lawyer, having advised on some of the most significant renewable deals in the market. Also on the West Coast, Omar Nazif  is based in San Diego and regularly receives engagements from banks, sponsors and developers in connection with all phases of the development and financing of wind, solar and energy storage projects. Vice-chair of the firm’s global energy and infrastructure industry department, Eli Katz  is primarily engaged in M&A and project finance transactions, with a particular focus on tax incentives for equity investors deploying capital to help fund renewables projects throughout the US. He sits in the New York office, where Matthew Henegar  is counsel of choice for numerous private equity sponsors, developers and financial institutions, and recently promoted Kelly Cataldo is a name to note for construction financing and investments in renewable projects across Latin America. The Houston office recently welcomed energy deal specialist Trina Chandler from Vinson & Elkins LLP.

Singled out for its market-leading reputation in the project financing space in the United States and abroad, Milbank combines overarching finance and M&A expertise with comprehensive energy sector market knowledge. In addition to the team’s unrivalled financing capabilities which has seen it lead on first-of-their-kind financings in the alternative power sector, practitioners are also seasoned in power generation, energy restructurings, and greenfield development mandates across all renewable segments. The group, which is also adept at handling the acquisition and disposition of renewable energy projects and other assets, offers representation to new developers, some of the largest sponsors in the industry, and debt and equity investors in major renewable energy transactions, including tax incentives available for renewable energy development. Based in New York, practice head Daniel Bartfeld stands out for his wealth of experience in multi-sourced financings, project development and M&A activities in Latin America. In the same office, William Bice maintains a broad practice acting for developers, lenders, asset owners and private equity funds. Other names to note in New York include Roland Estevez and Jaime Ramirez, both of whom are skilled in financing deals and cross-border matters involving Latin America. On the West Coast, Mike Duff has in-depth knowledge of joint ventures and partnership structures used to develop, acquire and operate a variety of renewable energy assets, while Timothy Wendling is noted for his project development and finance experience involving wind, solar and geothermal electricity generation projects.

With more than four decades of experience in the power industry, Norton Rose Fulbright boasts a dominant position in the renewable energy market, having handled some of the largest, most innovative renewable projects, and first-of-a-kind transaction structures in the United States in the past few years. A strong tax bench makes the firm a go-to destination for tax equity matters and financing of major renewable projects. Recent highlights for the team include advising on the first large offshore wind project to reach financing in the US, the use of prepaid power contracts in the wind segment, electricity storage projects, and master tax equity financing facilities in the solar rooftop market. The projects team is under the joint leadership of tax and project finance expert Keith Martin in Washington DC, and Ben Koenigsberg in New York, the latter of whom is a key contact for offshore wind project development, as well as M&A and financing transactions. Also sitting in the New York office, Todd Alexander  is a highly regarded project finance lawyer, who is called upon by both lenders and developers of renewable energy projects, cutting across solar, wind, hydro and clean coal facilities. Robert Eberhardt , who was counsel in four of the five large solar projects that have been financed to date on a merchant basis, and prominent tax partner David Burton , who is particularly proficient in the structuring of renewable energy investment funds, are other names to note in New York. Becky Diffen  in Austin is particularly focused on the acquisition and divestiture of renewable energy assets.

Offering wide-ranging expertise across all asset types, including onshore and offshore wind, utility-scale solar, battery storage, geothermal and alternative fuels, as well as hydrogen, biomass and waste-to-energy, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is one of the first ports of call for clients engaged in high-profile and innovative transactions and projects in the renewable energy space. On the financing front, the team is experienced in the funding of large-scale renewable projects involving every conceivable type of debt, equity and lease transactions. Tax equity matters are a strong point for the department, which is also seasoned in acting for developers and sponsors in the context of large portfolio transactions involving the sale and disposition of renewable assets throughout the country. Based in San Francisco, Les Sherman handles project development and sell and buy-side M&A of solar, wind, battery storage and other renewable projects. He jointly chairs the department with two attorneys based in Houston, Blake Winburne and Dahl Thompson, the latter of whom is seasoned in all stages of the structuring, development, financing, acquisition and disposition of renewable energy projects and companies. In the San Francisco office, Mark Weitzel stands out for his wealth of experience in tax equity investments and project development in the electric power sector, while Eric Stephens is particularly recommended for distributed solar projects and energy storage matters. Kristin Seeger‘s notable areas of practice include utility-scale solar transactions and renewable energy projects M&A. She is also located in San Francisco. Teresa Hill joined the Seattle office from K&L Gates in February 2022.

Boasting an impressive track record in renewable and clean energy power generation and electric transmission projects in the United states and internationally, Vinson & Elkins LLP showcases strength across wind, solar, geothermal, biofuels, carbon capture and storage projects. The team is often called upon by an array of investors, developers, lenders, and suppliers looking for guidance in all steps of the development, financing, acquisition and sale of renewable projects. Advising traditional energy clients  in their investments in or adoption of cleaner energy sources is a growing area of focus for the department. Houston-based John B. Connally IV  and Kaam Sahely , who splits his time between Houston and Austin, jointly head up the department. Sahely is regularly engaged by investors and developers in relation to large-scale projects and transactions involving renewable and sustainable energy assets. The renewables group was significantly boosted by the addition of a preeminent renewable energy finance team from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Michael Joyce, whose areas of expertise cover wind, solar and storage issues, and Lauren Collins, who has helped develop some of the most complex renewable energy financing transactions in the market joined the Los Angeles office. Recent arrivals also include Aaron Prince in New York and Austin-based Sean Moran, who brings together knowledge in technology and power generation matters. Peter Marshall is a key attorney in Dallas for private equity funds and financial sponsors, while Danielle Patterson in Houston devotes her time to the energy and infrastructure sectors, advising on M&A, and project development.

The sizeable energy industry group at Winston & Strawn LLP fields multidisciplinary knowledge in practice areas key to the successful completion of transactions involving power and renewable assets, and the financing and development of renewable energy projects. The team is seen with great regularity acting for financial firms in debt financings for renewable and alternative energy projects and portfolios, but particularly stands out for its track record in finance and development work involving energy storage, and securitization and finance of Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) assets. Over the last year the practice continued to be active in energy M&A deals, and in the negotiation of Power Purchase Agreements and storage agreements for a wide range of offtakers. The department is jointly led by four practitioners based across the country: Mike Blankenship in New York, Joe Karp in San Francisco, and Mike Pikiel and Rich Shutran in New York. Shutran’s experience encompasses a cross-section of M&A transactions, finance and development work, attracting mandates from major developments, owners and operators of energy projects. Also in NY, Jonathan Birenbaum  acts for strategic and financial participants in financings, projects, acquisitions and dispositions involving alternative and conventional power assets. Besides being a ‘go-to lawyer for power purchase agreements‘, Karp is among the premier energy project development lawyers in the US; his experience spans wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and other technologies. Laurae Rossi in Los Angeles stands out in for her capabilities in renewable energy projects and leads on several sophisticated debt transactions.

The renewable and clean energy group at Baker Botts L.L.P. is rated for its ‘deep experience of representing developers, tax equity and long term investors’ in numerous ‘complex, bespoke and oftentimes unprecedented transactions’. Typical mandates range from M&A involving power, utilities and renewable energy assets to project development, bankruptcy restructurings, auctions, financing and tax equity investments. Jeff Kayes, who is based in San Francisco, oversees the project finance practice, and assists clients in connection with such transactions for wind, solar, biomass and hydroelectric facilities. Sitting in the New York office, transactional lawyer Michael Didriksen  has acted as lead counsel in several transactions spanning all renewable segments, including battery storage. Adam Griffin and John Papaspanos are key contacts in New York for domestic and international project finance and tax equity deals. Leslie Hodge left the firm in August 2021.

Noted for its extensive global reach and strong domestic presence, DLA Piper LLP (US) fields the ability to advise on the development, financing, sale, construction and operation of renewable generation projects, including solar, onshore and offshore wind and biomass facilities. Sponsors, lenders, equity investors and public entities regularly seek the team’s assistance in the financing and development of energy storage projects. Green hydrogen is another strong point for the department, which also handles tax equity investments and sale-leaseback matters. Practice head Vanessa Richelle Wilson has a wealth of experience in project finance, M&A transactions and infrastructure development in the renewable energy space. She is based in Washington DC.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP‘s power and renewable practice showcases particular strength in the utility M&A, renewable investments and capital markets fronts. During the review period, the team has been particularly active in complex wind and solar power project acquisitions, financings (including tax equity transactions), investments and legislative initiatives for a broad range of clients. The firm’s well-connected global offices network also make it a go-to choice for projects which require a multi-jurisdictional approach. The department is managed from New York by Peter Hanlon, who assists investors with complex transactions in the renewables space, and Nicholas Politan, whose areas of expertise include wind, solar and other renewable technologies. Transactional lawyer Emad Khalil has represented participants in energy projects throughout the United States and internationally. He is based in New York, where Marwan Azzi, who recently joined from White & Case LLP, is recommended for acquisitions and investments in renewable energy projects in the US and abroad. Gerald Farano in Denver possesses a strong track-record in the purchase and sale of renewable assets, financings and project development.

Noted for its in-depth knowledge of corporate energy sourcing, whereby energy consumers step directly into the energy supply stream, K&L Gates boasts an impressive track record of non-utility buy-side renewable power purchase agreements. The team is particularly well positioned to assist clients in a range of industries with purchasing renewable power, installing on-site distribution generation, and procuring carbon reductions. Energy storage is also among the core areas of expertise for the department, which has been increasingly engaged by clients seeking to pair energy storage resources with new or existing solar and wind assets. In addition, practitioners are seasoned in the entire spectrum of renewable project development, including but not limited to renewable natural gas and hydrogen projects. Based in Seattle, Elizabeth Crouse  is particularly sought after by investors, developers and operators in the renewable and carbon capture industries. Buck Endemann in San Francisco is a ‘recognized leader in the biogas and broader renewable energy project development industry‘.

Led from New York by Jonathan Melmed , King & Spalding LLP‘s renewable energy practice is a go-to choice for private equity funds looking to buy, sell and invest in traditional renewable energy companies, solar and wind power plants, renewable natural gas and battery storage projects. Working in close collaboration with the firm’s preeminent project development and construction team based in Houston, the team is prepared to handle hybrid M&A, project finance and tax equity transactions, multi-jurisdictional regulatory matters and commercial agreements. Practice head Melmed is the lead M&A and private equity lawyer for renewable energy and alternative power clients. With particular focus in the power and renewables sectors, Adam Hankiss is another transactional expert to note in New York. Based in Houston, Scott Greer chairs the global energy and construction transactional practice, representing owners and developers in a range of domestic and international projects, including carbon sequestration, hydrogen and energy storage facilities.

Praised by clients for its ‘vast experience and market presence‘, Mayer Brown has recently expanded with the strategic addition of a group of five attorneys from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP in November 2020. Eric Pogue, who is among the new joiners in the New York office, brings a wealth of experience in the renewable energy sector, notably in the fields of development, financing and acquisition of the entire array of asset types, including solar, wind, hydro and biomass. The renewable and alternative energy team, which already enjoyed a strong reputation in the market, is now better positioned to act for a broader roster of clients- such as sponsors, investors and lenders- in all types of transaction structures and emerging technology matters, ranging from battery storage, and carbon capture to fuel cell and offshore wind. Paul Astolfi  in Chicago has over two decades of experience in the industry. He oversees the practice with Robert Goldberg  in Houston, whose experience covers project finance, development and M&A, and Washington DC-based Jeffrey Davis , a key contact for tax equity financings. Nadav Klugman in Chicago stands out for his broad capabilities in project finance.

With ‘superb bench strength‘, McDermott Will & Emery LLP is particularly praised for its ‘expertise in renewable energy transactions‘. Its varied client roster is predominantly made up of developers, lenders, large private equity funds and public utility companies which turn to the firm for assistance with the development and financing of renewable energy projects. Additionally, the team has a proven track record in high-value and complex investments in the renewable space involving solar, wind, hydrogen, carbon capture, renewable diesel and biofuels. Edward Zaelke , whose experience in the renewable energy sector spans more than 30 years, leads the global energy project finance group. He is based in Los Angeles, and has a strong background in the representation of companies engaged in the development, financing and operation of wind and solar power, biomass, geothermal and renewable natural gas projects. Tax expert Philip Tingle , who is based in Miami, stands out for his work on behalf of public utilities in obtaining tax equity financing for their renewable energy projects. Carl Fleming  in Washington DC has in-depth knowledge across the entire value chain of the renewable industry and is trusted counsel to public and private entities.

The renewable energy practice at O’Melveny & Myers LLP comprises energy-focused practitioners with significant experience in project development, energy transactions, and regulatory matters at the federal and state level. Led from Los Angeles and New York by Michael Hamilton and Junaid Chida respectively, the practice is frequently engaged by banks and financial institutions, tax equity investors and developers. Co-head Chida is regarded for his work in the structuring and management of M&A and financing transactions in the renewable energy sector. Project finance and energy M&A lawyer Jeff Hoffner is a noteworthy practitioner in LA, who is seen with great regularity in matters pertaining to the construction and financing of renewable projects. The group expanded with the addition of four attorneys from Thompson & Knight in June 2021, including energy specialists Katie Coleman and Phillip Oldham in Austin, and subsequent opening of an office in Texas.

At the forefront of the energy transition to a low-carbon economy, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP guides clients in an array of transactional matters involving offshore wind, energy storage, solar power and hydrogen. In fact, it was one of the first global law firm to launch a group dedicated to the development of hydrogen projects worldwide. Renewable energy M&A and project financings for electric power generating facilities in Texas and California are core areas of activity for the team, which is also often engaged in sector-related regulatory matters. Mona Dajani in New York has led numerous financings and project development transactions involving solar, wind, hydrogen, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, waste to energy and Net Zero disruptive technology. She manages the practice with Robert James , who splits his time between San Francisco and Houston. Also in New York, Shellka Arora-Cox offers legal support to private equity investors, sponsors, developers, lenders and contractors in renewable energy matters throughout the US and abroad. Based in Los Angeles, Jorge Medina specializes in the tax aspects of renewable energy investments and financing transactions.

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP fields a 'strong broad specialist team for the renewables/energy sector', advising clients on all stages of renewable energy generation projects across the country. Developers, lenders, utilities and infrastructure investors make up the team's varied client base, which regularly seeks advice on debt financing transactions, tax equity deals and acquisitions and divestitures of renewable and alternative power developments. Katherine Gillespie co-leads the team, which is primarily based in Chicago. With more than two decades of experience in this field, Gillespie has handled several development, financing, and M&A transactions involving wind, solar and other renewable assets. Also in the Chicago office, Amit Kalra and Andrew Ratts are key contacts for tax equity matters. On the West Coast, fellow co-head Tony Toranto  is based in San Diego, and brings together comprehensive knowledge of both conventional and renewable energy projects. Christine Hourcade-Hoefliger in San Francisco focuses on the sale, acquisition and financing of renewable assets.

Led from Houston by David Lieberman, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP‘s energy and infrastructure group attracts regular engagements from a variety of investors, lenders and companies from the power and renewable energy sector. With the ability to assist clients with the entire spectrum of their commercial needs, the team is particularly adept at handling M&A and financing transactions involving solar, wind and other alternative power. Project development, corporate restructuring, securities issuances and regulatory matters are also part of the broad service offering. Practice head Lieberman has led advice to numerous clients in alternative power and renewable transactions, notably M&A and project finance. Matthew Einbinder  in Houston frequently represents borrowers and lenders in financing matters, while Brian Chisling  in New York is a key contact for independent power producers, private equity funds and financing parties in acquisitions and divestitures in the renewables sector.

Benefiting from core energy-focused transactional lawyers based out of the firm’s New York offices, and also able to resource matters utilizing practitioners with more generalist M&A, finance and tax credentials, White & Case LLP advises across the full array of financing structures, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures in the renewable energy space. On the transactional front, the team is adept in deals across diverse levels of asset investments, including portfolio, singe asset or partial interest deals. The team’s project finance credentials are noteworthy, especially its experience of transactions involving energy tax credits. Nandan Nelivigi leads the Americas energy, infrastructure, project development and finance practice out of the New York office. Marius Griskonis is the main point of contact for renewable energy mandates; he assists sponsors, developers and investors with the construction, financing, acquisition and sale of renewable energy projects. Raymond Azar is another practitioner to note in New York for this type of work. All named attorneys are based in the New York office.

Led from Houston by Matt Kapinos, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP has a strong reputation acting on behalf of sponsors, commercial and investment banks and other financial institutions, private equity funds, contractors and developers on the development, financing, and M&A work associated with domestic and international renewable power projects throughout the value chain. Renewable energy tax credit advice and alternative power project acquisition and finance deals are the core areas of activity for the department, which is based between Texas and California. Kapinos primarily focuses in the energy and infrastructure sectors, handling a range of project development, M&A and strategic joint ventures in the renewable power space. Based in Los Angeles, Dan Lynch is best known for his experience in project finance matters. The department was impacted by the recent departure of a number of key partners including John Marciano to Allen & Overy LLP.

Ballard Spahr LLP has broad capabilities across the full range of renewable energy mandates, assisting lenders and project sponsors with a combination of project finance, development, construction arrangements and transactional matters. The team is also well positioned to act for investors in the acquisition and sale of renewable projects encompassing a wide range of technologies, including solar, offshore and onshore wind, biogas, biodiesel, geothermal electric generation and hydroelectric facilities. The department is jointly led by two practitioners based in Philadelphia: Steve Park and Patrick Gillard, the latter of whom has a sophisticated utility finance practice which also covers complex capitalization structures and M&A transactions. Raymond Faricy in Minneapolis has notable strength in wind and solar power projects, where he advises developers and owners at all stages of project development, land rights, power purchase agreements and financing issues. Based in Las Vegas, Bruce Johnson is recommended for the development and financing of energy generation and transmission facilities.

Standing out for its 'excellent knowledge of the energy industry', Bracewell LLP is proficient in emerging technologies such as biomass, carbon capture and hydrogen. Focused on renewable energy M&A and project development, the practice is sought after by a myriad of industry participants, ranging from sponsors and developers to private equity funds and contractors. Complex commodity transactions, including solar and wind hedges, virtual and physical power purchase arrangements between independent power producers and utilities is another strong point for the department, which is led from Houston by Ryan Holcomb . Holcomb is seasoned in a variety of transactions involving renewable energy projects, while Alan Rafte - another contact in Houston- leads on transactions involving offshore and onshore wind facilities, carbon sequestration and capture. Danielle Varnell, who is based in Washington DC, is regarded for her experience in renewable energy M&A, including portfolio acquisitions and multi-party joint ventures. Danielle Garbien  in the Los Angeles office is a key advisor to developers, financial institutions, commodities and energy companies in power and renewable energy PPAs and hedging transactions.

Best known for its strong credentials in financing and tax equity, the renewable energy practice at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is a top destination for several financial institutions investing and lending into wind, solar and other clean power projects. In addition, the practice is well versed in the development and acquisition of renewable energy projects and portfolios, involving wind, solar and geothermal facilities. Leader of the energy and infrastructure group Jeffrey Schroeder  is primarily focused on domestic and international project finance and other financing transactions, including but not restricted to tax equity, Rule 144A offerings and mezzanine debt. He is based in Washington DC, where Hilary Lefko stands out for her experience in tax credits for the production of electricity from renewable sources. Michael Klaus  in San Francisco is recognized for his work in the fields of project finance, development and M&A.

The ‘responsive and competent‘ renewable energy group at Husch Blackwell LLP handles an impressive volume of mandates, bringing together multi-disciplinary expertise across project finance, tax equity finance, corporate deals, energy regulations, real estate and construction issues. Entirely devoted to renewable energy project development, financing and transactions, the team acts for a variety of clients, including developers, investors and lenders involved in wind, solar and battery storage projects throughout the United States. The energy and natural resources team is jointly led by Cacki Jewart in Austin, and Steven F. Carman and John Crossley, both of whom sit in the Kansas City office. Crossley is the main point of contact for renewable energy matters, and routinely acts for project developers, sponsors and investors in this space. Focused on energy regulatory law, Maria Faconti is an up-and-comer in Austin, where Chris Reeder is also recommended for regulatory proceedings.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is recurrently sought out by major investors in some of their most significant renewable energy transactions, including the acquisition and sale of renewable assets, and financing of alternative projects. Benefitting from a strong network of domestic offices with energy expertise across Texas, New York, California, and Washington D.C., the firm has advised on deals, especially M&A, involving cutting-edge technology in the energy transition segment. Andrew Calder in Houston jointly oversees the department with Rohit Chaudhry in Washington DC, the latter of whom is noted for representing private equity funds, developers, lenders and institutional investors in a plethora of transactions, including project finance, M&A and project restructurings. Roald Nashi is another contact in DC especially for private equity and infrastructure funds. Based in Houston, John Pitts concentrates in M&A, private equity and divestitures in the energy sector, which are also among Kristin Mendoza's areas of expertise. She is located in New York.

As clean energy takes centre stage in the domestic and global market, McGuireWoods LLP has been increasingly working with utilities and infrastructure funds to execute business transactions focused on renewable energy. Major solar and wind developers feature on the team's varied client roster, which often seeks assistance with project financing and development. The firm is a top destination for developers and utilities engaged in renewable energy deals in the Southeast, and new market participants in relation to transactions and project development. Brennen Keene in Richmond is particularly adept at providing real estate transactional and land-use guidance on a range of renewable energy projects. He co-heads the practice with Durham McCormick in Austin, who focuses on tax structuring for renewable energy deals. Michael Woodard , who is based in Richmond, leads on M&A and financing transactions in the energy space, which are also areas of expertise for Timothy Callahan  in Chicago.

The global project development and finance group at Shearman & Sterling LLP is frequently engaged in complex transactions in the renewable energy sector. Providing advice on wind, solar, hydro and other alternative power projects, including green hydrogen and electric vehicles, the practice is skilled at representing sponsors, developers, investors, financial institutions and infrastructure funds in project diligence, financing and M&A throughout the Americas. The department is led from New York by project finance expert Gregory Tan and Robert Freedman, who has combined experience in project finance and development, restructuring of renewable assets and sector-related M&A. Alexandro Padrés , who also sits in New York, has a strong track record of project finance in clean energy projects across Latin America. Augusto Ruiloba in the same office is another practitioner to note for this type of work.

Fielding the ability to act for clients across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, Troutman Pepper offers legal support in the full range of renewable energy, natural resource and federal policy matters. The team is a strong force in renewable energy tax equity transactions on behalf of investors and sponsors, and is also well versed in all types of debt and equity financings for energy industry participants. Recent engagements have seen the group advise on matters involving solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and hydro power, as well as battery storage and hydrogen infrastructure assets. Furthermore, the team demonstrates strong credentials in supporting Fortune 500 companies in their corporate sustainability initiatives. Co-head John Leonti is based in Los Angeles and specializes in project finance, while fellow co-leader Craig Kline in New York oversees domestic and cross-border transactions involving renewable energy assets. Adam Kobos is a well-known attorney in Portland, who is routinely sought out by tax equity investors, project developers and sponsors.

Clifford Chance undertakes a variety of transactional work in the alternative energy space, but is perhaps best known for its involvement in the financing of renewable energy projects across the United States. The firm is a popular destination among US-based investment banks active in the Latin American energy sector, and is also often engaged in multilateral and export credit agency financings in LATAM and Africa. Department head Lori Bean, who is based in Washington DC, and is counsel of choice for numerous commercial banks and institutional investors in the development of renewable energy projects. She receives key support from Fabricio Longhin , who also works out of DC, and advises on all aspects of project development, concession contracts and financing matters. Hugo Triaca  in New York is particularly noted for his experience in equity and debt offerings, and corporate governance.

Greenberg Traurig LLP is well-positioned to advise a balanced array of stakeholders engaged in mandates at all phases of a renewable energy project from constructions through to financing and M&A. The team is prominent in the  hydroelectric, solar and wind power realms, and is consistently engaged by top developers and tax equity financing parties. The firm’s cross-border experience is also noteworthy, especially when it comes to renewable sector-related matters in Latin America. Jeffrey A. Chester  in Los Angeles is recognized in the renewable energy project finance space, but also assists with M&A and tax equity mandates. Based in Washington DC, John Eliason, who joined from Foley & Lardner LLP in June 2021, has a strong following among tax equity investors and sponsors. Chester and Eliason oversee the department with William S. Garner in Houston, Kenneth Minesinger in DC and Iskender Catto  in New York.

A varied client roster, comprising utilities, independent power producers , investors, sponsors, developers, lenders and owners, turns to Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP for assistance with an array of transactional, commercial and compliance matters involving power and renewable energy generation assets. Bringing together cross-practice expertise, the group has extensive experience working on the debt and equity financing of renewable power projects, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass technology and energy storage. Recent engagements also include renewable energy M&A, commodity transactions, climate change-related structures, hedging instruments and compliance advice. The team is jointly led by Norman C. Bay, who also oversees energy regulatory and enforcement mandates, and Athena Eastwood  in Washington DC, with both taking the lead in commodities matters. Corporate and financial services partner Jorge Kamine, who splits his time between DC and New York, ‘is a subject matter expert in renewable/alternative power with a special expertise in large, complicated deal structures‘.