A team with a ‘good mix of project finance, M&A and corporate legal expertise’, McDermott Will & Emery LLP is well positioned to advise its host of energy companies, utilities, developers and large-cap sponsors for an array of transactions in the conventional and renewable energy space. The firm particularly stands out for its work with private equity and infrastructure funds, and also has the ability to handle complex tax issues relating to energy transition assets. Practice heads Edward Zaelke and Philip Tingle operate out of Los Angeles and Miami respectively, with the former focused on M&A and joint ventures and the latter on financings and equity investments. Frederick Lark, based in New York, is the key advisor to key client Argo Infrastructure Partners and their M&A requirements. Debra Harrison is a renewables and tax equity expert and works out of Washington DC. Robert Lamkin  has left the firm.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Expertise with tax credits for sustainable infrastructure assets. Intimate knowledge of legislation impacting sustainable infrastructure. A good mix of project finance, M&A, corporate legal expertise. Strong work ethic and always there when you need them.'
  • 'Joel Hugenberger is an outstanding lawyer and very knowledgeable across sustainable infrastructure asset classes. Phil Tingle is one of the smartest tax lawyers I've ever worked with. He understands the high level issues as well as the detailed matters within an Excel model.'

Key clients

  • Aiga Capital Partners LLC
  • American Electric Power Company, Inc.
  • AMF Kimble Holdings
  • Argo Blockchain plc
  • Argo Infrastructure Partners LP
  • Boston Energy Trading & Marketing
  • Brookfield Infrastructure
  • Denton County Electric Cooperative
  • Direct Energy Business Marketing
  • Exelon
  • GenOn Energy Holdings
  • Lennar Corporation
  • NiSource
  • NRG Energy
  • Santander Bank
  • Scout Clean Energy
  • SK ecoplant
  • Talen Energy

Work highlights

  • Represented Argo Infrastructure Partners LP in the acquisition by an Argo managed vehicle of a 50% interest in Brookfield Smoky Mountain Holdings LLC (“BSMH”) from Brookfield Renewable Partners and related affiliates, who will retain a 50% interest in BSMH.
  • Represented NiSource in the negotiation of a tax equity commitment from USBank for the Indiana Crossroads Solar Project.
  • Represented Lennar Corporation in negotiating its tax equity commitment of approximately $59 million to fund a portfolio of residential rooftop solar projects being developed by affiliates of Sunnova Energy International Inc.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Edward Zaelke, Philip Tingle

Other key lawyers

Frederick Lark, Debra Harrison, Joel Hugenberger