McDermott Will & Emery LLP

Corporate Advisory

As a member of the Corporate Department, Debra focuses her practice on renewable energy transactions, general corporate matters, franchising, licensing and distribution matters, as well as other business growth strategies.

Debra’s corporate practice includes counseling clients, both publicly and privately held, on transactions related to capital formation, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, brand extension programs, joint ventures and strategic alliances in a variety of industries. She has extensive experience advising clients on renewable energy transactions, including the structuring, development and financing of renewable projects throughout North America and Europe. Debra has served as counsel for major investment banking clients, large developers, sponsors, utilities, and other lenders and investors in the development, implementation, acquisition, structuring and financing of renewable assets, including the negotiation of acquisition and financing documents (including tax equity and back leverage), strategic investments, PPAs, EPCs, and various agreements related to state and local incentives and renewable energy credits.

Debra also counsels clients on distribution, franchise and dealer relations, terminations, transfers and regulatory compliance. Her experience includes mergers and acquisitions involving franchise systems, development of domestic and international franchise strategies, preparation of franchise and license agreements and related disclosure materials, advising on compliance programs and distributor consolidation matters, as well as franchisee and dealer terminations. She has worked with hundreds of franchisors and suppliers in a wide variety of industries, including energy, food service, retail, beverage (alcohol and non-alcohol), hospitality, automobile rental, convenience store, sports and entertainment, cosmetology, healthcare, real estate, industrial goods, clothiers, cosmetics, and residential and light commercial services.

Debra has served as pro bono counsel to the National Association of Women Business Owners, coordinates the Firm’s staffing of, and regularly volunteers at the D.C. Bar’s Landlord Tenant Resource Center, and has provided pro bono legal assistance to multiple charitable organizations, including FAIR Girls, No One Left Behind, UNITAS, the Human Rights Campaign and the Northern Virginia Coalition.