A firm that provides a ‘perfect understanding of client needs’ and a ’deep knowledge of the business and market situations’, Baker Botts L.L.P. is dual-equipped to advise on a variety of debt and equity transactions as well as sophisticated tax equity financings. The group is witnessing an increased flow of both domestic and cross-border mandates across a number of different sectors such as oil and LNG, clean fuels, renewables and electric transmission, working with an esteemed roster of clients that includes multinational power producers and global asset managers. Dino Barajas spearheads the group from San Francisco who compliments his financing prowess with expert asset knowledge and an extensive cross-border practice that particularly focuses on Latin American projects. New York’s Ellen Friedman works with both developers and sponsors on renewable and energy transition ventures that includes, but is not limited to, solar, wind and battery storage projects as well as blue hydrogen and carbon capture and storage facilities. Houston-based Michael Bresson‘s federal income tax expertise ensures he is frequently sought out by a wealth of investors for their tax equity financing transactions, whereas New York’s John Papaspanos, while also possessing sharp tax acumen, has engaged with a breadth of M&A and debt financing structures over the past twelve months. Also based in New York, Frank Schoen is highlighted for his project finance, leveraged finance and acquisition finance work that spans both conventional and renewable energy sources. Vladimir Fet has advised on multiple high-value financings for various large sponsors and energy providers, operating out of San Francisco.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Bryan Henderson is a standout partner across all law-firms I have worked with in my 20 year career. He is a highly skilled and knowledgeable lawyer, but more importantly, he is always business-savvy and pragmatic in his approach. His client service is top notch. ’

  • ‘Deep knowledge of the business and market situation, even in new, emerging and uncertain businesses. Perfect understanding of client needs, total flexibility to adapt to required schedules, even if very tight. Great negotiation skills with difficult partners’

  • ‘Lots of high level partner attention and knowledge.’

  • 'John Papaspanos truly goes above and beyond and makes himself available when his client needs, day or night, repeatedly.'

  • 'Good knowledge of energy and the products that we transact. Well versed in energy enabling agreements, as well as generation project financing documentation. Very thorough in working through large documents and applying specific clauses and terms that are important to us and the deal we are working on.'

Key clients

  • AES Corporation, The
  • BKV Corporation
  • Blackstone Infrastructure Partners
  • Centaurus Renewable Energy LLC
  • CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
  • CIM Group LLC
  • EDPR NA Distributed Generation LLC
  • Global Atlantic Financial Company
  • Panamint Capital LLC
  • Parasol Renewable Energy LLC
  • Sunnova Energy International, Inc.
  • Transmission Developers, Inc.
  • Repsol S.A.
  • Air Products & Chemicals Inc.

Work highlights

  • Represented Sunnova Energy International Inc. in connection with a $3.0 billion loan guarantee agreement between Sunnova and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Programs Office, which equates to a 90% guarantee of up to $3.3 billion of term loans, to support solar loans originated by Sunnova under a new solar loan channel named “Project Hestia.”
  • Represented a subsidiary of BKV Corporation (BKV), in partnership with Banpu Power US Corporation, as it closed on the purchase of the Temple II power plant, a natural gas-fuelled power plant, located in Temple, Texas and the financing of such acquisition and for working capital needs of both the Temple I and Temple II projects with affiliates of Beal Bank, as seller and lender.
  • Represented Sunnova Energy (the Borrower) in a back-leverage warehouse facility to finance portfolios of residential solar assets that are held in tax equity funds.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Dino Barajas

Other key lawyers

Ellen Friedman, Michael Bresson, John Papaspanos, Frank Schoen, Vladimir Fet