Recognized in the market for its expertise representing lenders on various renewable and alternative energy matters, with a particular focus on wind and energy storage, Winston & Strawn LLP‘s energy and infrastructure group continues to attract new and impressive clients from the financial services, energy, and infrastructure sectors. The practice’s robust offering covers a wide range of transactional, environmental, and regulatory matters including financing, acquisitions, and dispositions, as well as project development, restructuring, and permitting, among others, on both a domestic and international level. Co-heading the department between New York and Houston are Mike Pikiel and Mike Blankenship respectively, and they are supported by Los Angeles’ project finance specialist Laurae Rossi who stands out for her experience handling financing, tax equity partnerships, and tax credit transfer purchase transactions. In New York, Jonathan Birenbaum is the go-to for energy and infrastructure businesses and financial institutions seeking assistance with acquisitions, dispositions, and financing. On the debt financing front, Los Angeles-based Hao Huang is the main contact. The team has seen some new additions between March and August 2024 with the arrival of Kevin Brophy and Ming Lei from McDermott Will & Emery LLP, and Laurens Wilkes from Jones Day.
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Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The attention to detail and speed of response differentiate the team.'
  • 'A lot of times, clients' questions aren't earth-shattering, but they always get a response immediately with the answers they need. This makes a huge difference.'
  • 'They have a terrific way of framing points so that all parties understand the issue clearly.'
  • 'There is never any ambiguity around what the possible solutions are.'

Key clients

  • Basalt Infrastructure Partners LLP
  • CIBC Bank USA
  • Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment
  • Enfinity Global Inc.
  • Hecate Energy LLC
  • John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.)
  • Manulife Investment Management Private Markets (US) LLC
  • MUFG Bank, Ltd.
  • Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale
  • ProEnergy Holding Company

Work highlights

Represented Basalt Infrastructure Partners in connection with the sale of Project Hyperion, a 35-project portfolio of solar projects totaling approximately 121 MWdc to Altus Power Inc.
Represented Hecate Energy LLC in connection with a US$550M loan to support Hecate’s ongoing development of its renewable energy Project Galaxy portfolio.
Represented MUFG Bank, Ltd., as lender counsel in connection with a US$300M debt financing to Arevon Energy, Inc. for the Vikings solar-plus-storage project in Imperial County, California, a 157 MWDC PV solar energy generating system coupled with a 150 MW/600 Mwh battery energy storage system.

Lawyers

Hall of fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Jonathan Birenbaum

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Laurae Rossi

Practice head

Mike Pikiel; Mike Blankenship

Other key lawyers

Laurae Rossi; Jonathan Birenbaum; Hao Huang; Kevin Brophy; Ming Lei; Laurens Wilkes