McDermott Will & Schulte is a key adviser on renewable and alternative energy projects, with particular strength in tax equity financings, tax credit transfers, and project finance involving wind, solar, hydroelectric, and energy storage assets. The practice is co-headed by Edward Zaelke in Los Angeles, who advises on renewable energy M&A, financings, and project development matters, Philip Tingle in Miami, who focuses on tax equity financings and tax structuring for wind and solar projects, and Christopher Gladbach in Washington DC, who advises sponsors and lenders on complex debt and equity financings. Carl Fleming in Washington DC focuses on project financings and tax equity investments, while Heather Cooper in Miami advises on tax credit and incentive structures involving renewable energy projects. Joel Hugenberger in New York focuses on project finance and tax equity transactions involving renewable energy portfolios.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘McDermott distinguishes themselves with hands-on partners who are knowledgeable, accessible and responsive. Instead of punting work to teams of untrained associates, the partners invest in their client relationships and deliver high quality work product.’
‘Ed Zaelke is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable attorneys in the US energy industry. The fact that he is also accessible, responsive and a great person to work with is icing on the cake.’
‘Excellent commercial and legal advisors ’
‘Amazing value, attentiveness and ownership of work, fully integrated as members of our team as if they were internal ’
Key clients
- GoodLeap, LLC
- Chestnut Carbon
- Cypress Creek
- Franklin Park Infrastructure
- Doral Renewables
- Novel Energy Solutions, LLC
- Onyx Renewables
- Pine Gate Renewables
- Apex Clean Energy
Work highlights
Assisting Doral Renewables with the development and financing of the award-winning $1.5 billion, 1.3 GWac solar project – the largest of its kind in the U.S. and Western Hemisphere. Work has hit key financing milestones in 2024 and 2025, including the closing of almost $1.3 billion in construction financing and $200 million in tax equity.
Advising GoodLeap, LLC through the restructuring of a $1.5 billion preferred equity investment that raised unique issues around interparty terms in back-leverage scenarios.
Advising Apex Clean Energy on a series of linked transactions involving the establishment of a joint venture with SK Gas, in order to develop and finance numerous standalone storage projects (via debt and tax credit transfers) worth collectively worth $1.8 billion.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Edward Zaelke; Philip Tingle; Carl Fleming; Chris Gladbach
Other key lawyers
Heather Cooper; Joel Hugenberger