John Papaspanos > Baker Botts L.L.P. > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Baker Botts L.L.P. has seen impressive growth over the past year with the addition of new clients including notable energy companies and government entities, as well as new practitioners such as Veronica Relea who joined in March 2024 from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP. The group’s expansion can be attributed to its deep expertise in the renewable and alternative energy sector and broad capabilities which cover transactions, regulatory, environmental, and advisory. With an expansive offering, the department is sought after by impressive clients from the financial services and renewable energy sectors to assist with investments, project structuring, financing, and investments, and acquisitions and divestitures, as well as tax structuring, power purchase agreements, and environmental and real estate issues. Heading up the practice is Michael Didriksen who concentrates on M&A, project development, and power purchase agreements. San Francisco’s Dino Barajas is an asset to the team as a result of his aptitude handling acquisitions, dispositions, and divestitures while Houston-based Michael Bresson is the main contact for all tax-related matters such as tax credit monetization transactions and tax equity partnerships. Another key name in the group is John Papaspanos who focuses on debt and equity financings. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

In the energy sector Baker Botts L.L.P. is a robust choice for sophisticated tax equity financings, as well as a variety of debt and equity transactions. The group is accomplished in both domestic and cross-border mandates spanning a range of energy sector projects, including oil and gas, clean fuels, renewables and electric transmission. Clients of the practice include multinationals in power production and global asset management. In San Francisco, Dino Barajas leads the department and has a focus on domestic and international project development and finance, with particular emphasis on Latin American infrastructure projects. At the firm’s New York office, Ellen Friedman is reliable counsel for both developers and sponsors seeking assistance with clean energy transition projects. Mona Dajani has strength in tax equity deals involving solar and energy storage. John Papaspanos has broad experience across M&A, tax, and debt financing structures, and Frank Schoen is the name to note for project finance, leveraged finance and acquisition finance for conventional and renewable energy projects. Federal income tax is the standout strength for Michael Bresson in Houston.