Danielle Varnell
Bracewell LLPPerceived as 'substantive experts' in the energy sector, Bracewell LLP‘s sizeable energy group acts in the full range of deals in the renewables space, as well as supporting clients through the development of solar, wind, and power storage projects, among others. Clients include a variety of energy companies but the team also acts on the lender side of deals for banks and financial institutions. Alan Rafte and Ryan Holcomb at the Houston office oversee the department with Washington DC-based Danielle Varnell, who has particular experience in onshore and offshore wind, and solar and battery storage projects. Nicolai Sarad in New York counts MUFG as a client in renewables matters, while in Houston Fernando Rodriguez Marin is noted for cross-border matters involving Latin American jurisdictions. Natural resources lawyer Kevin Ewing is another contact to note in Houston, and younger partners Laura Sheldon and Steven Lorch, in Washington DC and New York respectively, are further key names.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'They are very, very energy focused. Any area of law in the energy industry, across all fuels (renewable, gas, etc.) they are substantive experts. We use Bracewell as primary corporate counsel on our deal work. They value the client relationship.'
- 'Energy is their specialty. They are all energy experts, from corporate, tax, RE, labor, environmental, etc. The associates are trained as energy experts - legally and commercially.'
Key clients
- Competitive Power Ventures, Inc.
- Equinor Wind Services LLC
- Invenergy, LLC
- MUFG Bank, Ltd.
- Navigator CO2 Ventures LLC
- Pioneer Natural Resources
- Sol Systems LLC
- Synovus Financial Corporation
- Tallgrass Energy
Work highlights
- Represented Invenergy in the sale and development of a portfolio of solar plus battery storage projects to a consortium of three Wisconsin utilities.
- Advised Competitive Power Ventures on the financing and related project development of four operating wind farms in Maine from Patriot Renewables and other project owners.
- Represented Trailblazer and REX in new project that will involve Trailblazer converting a large portion of its system from natural gas service to carbon dioxide service.
Lawyers
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The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Alan Rafte, Ryan Holcomb, Danielle Varnell