North America - United States • Energy

1

Renewable/alternative power

Vinson & Elkins LLP

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Vinson & Elkins LLP has a strong track record advising the full spectrum of clients involved in the renewable energy sector, from tax equity investors, commercial bank lenders, and private equity funds, to project sponsors and developers. In recent years the firm has also received work from clients more usually associated with traditional energy projects, as they seek counsel on investments in cleaner energy. Assistance with financing clean energy projects under the inflation reduction act has been a specific popular subject for new work. Kaam Sahely in Austin co-leads the department and in this area stands out for his experience in renewable and sustainable energy assets. In Houston, fellow practice co-head Danielle Patterson continues to handle a number of transactions in the renewables space. On the financing side, Michael Joyce at the Los Angeles office is a key senior name, along with Sean Moran in Austin. Eamon Nolan is a key contact for financing transactions at the New York office, which also houses Aaron Prince, who recently advised on a major solar project. Lauren Collins (Los Angeles) focuses on tax matters related to project finance and has a strong presence in renewables, as does Peter Marshall (Dallas), who is a prominent M&A and finance lawyer.

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Key clients

  • Brookfield Renewable Power
  • MN8 Energy
  • Macquarie Capital
  • Vitol
  • Swift Current Energy
  • Apollo Global Management
  • Carlyle Investment Management
  • Sixth Street Partners
  • Crowley Maritime Corporation
  • Goldman Sachs
  • IFM Investors
  • Ioneer Ltd.
  • Global Atlantic Financial Company
  • Wells Fargo
  • JPMorgan Capital Corporation
  • Terra-Gen
  • Takkion TP&L Holdings LLC
  • Archaea Energy
  • Buckeye Partners
  • John Hancock Life Insurance Company
  • Monolith Materials
  • Rev Renewables
  • NeuVentus
  • Siemens Gamesa
  • 8 Rivers

Work highlights

  • Advised Brookfield Renewable Power on the acquisition of Scout Clean Energy from Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners for approximately $1bn.
  • Advised Swift Current Energy on the $779m project financing for its 800 MWdc Double Black Diamond Solar project.
  • Advised Vitol on a tax credit transfer agreement with Avangrid to purchase an estimated $100m of wind PTCs from eight operating wind farms.

Lawyers

Leading lawyers

Michael Joyce

Michael Joyce

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Michael P. Joyce’s practice focuses on energy and infrastructure finance. Michael has represented clients in numerous cutting-edge transactions in the energy and infrastructure field, with a particular emphasis on renewable energy sectors such as solar, wind, and storage. He also has considerable experience with geothermal, biomass, coal, gas-fired, and nuclear projects, as well as with joint ventures and the disposition and acquisition of energy and infrastructure assets. Mike is ranked by Chambers Global and Chambers USA in Projects: Renewables and Alternative Energy. Prior to joining the firm, Michael was a partner in the Los Angeles office of an AmLaw 50 Firm.

Next Generation Partners

Lauren Collins

Lauren Collins

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Lauren Collins focuses on tax matters related to project finance, with an emphasis on renewable energy and infrastructure assets. Lauren has represented clients in the financing, disposition, acquisition, and development of renewable energy and energy transition projects, including solar, wind, energy storage, hydrogen, carbon sequestration, fuel cell, biogas, RNG, and manufacturing facilities, among others. She has considerable experience utilizing a variety of structures to finance these assets and has helped develop some of the most complex and cutting-edge renewable energy financing transactions in the U.S., including numerous first-of-its-kind deals. In the course of her practice, Lauren represents Fortune 50 companies, investors, utilities, sponsors, and developers in the renewable energy space and has advised clients more broadly in connection with various federal and state tax matters. Her experience includes tax equity, tax credit finance and sales, M&A, reorganizations and bankruptcy, project finance, and structured finance. Lauren is recognized globally and nationwide as “Up and Coming” in Projects: Renewables & Alternative Energy by Chambers Global 2023 and Chambers USA 2022.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Kaam Sahely, Danielle Patterson

Other key lawyers

Michael Joyce, Sean Moran, Eamon Nolan, Lauren Collins, Aaron Prince, Josh Heideman

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