Senior Project Finance Associate - Renewable Energy

Project Finance Associate — Renewable Energy

Stoel Rives is seeking a senior associate to join our market-leading project finance team within our corporate practice group. The role will focus on debt and tax equity financings and related development and transactional work for renewable energy and energy transition assets, including solar, wind, storage, and related infrastructure. Seattle is the preferred office for this position; however, we will consider candidates interested in the Minneapolis, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, DC offices.

Responsibilities:

• Structure, negotiate, and close construction and term debt facilities and tax credit monetization transactions (including tax equity partnerships, tax credit sales and hybrid structures) and other debt and equity capital facilities for renewable energy clients.

• Draft and negotiate financing agreements, security documents, depositary agreements, tax equity partnership agreements, guarantees, intercreditor agreements, tax credit purchase agreements, membership interest purchase agreements, and related deal documents.

• Manage due diligence, coordinate cross-functional teams (tax, regulatory, real estate), and interface directly with clients and counterparties from term sheet to closing.

• Lead and execute financing transactions, acquisitions, and joint ventures of projects and platforms.

Qualifications:

• JD and active bar membership in good standing; ability to gain admission where required.

• Minimum 6 years of experience in debt and tax equity project finance and M&A at an AmLaw firm or equivalent, with substantial renewables experience.

• Proven ability to run transactions independently, manage timelines, and drive closings.

• Strong grasp of tax equity structures and partnership tax concepts, and familiarity with market terms for project and financing documents.

• Excellent drafting, negotiation, communication, and project management skills; team-oriented and client-focused.

The Project Finance Practice

Our project finance team is a national leader in project finance, particularly with respect to renewable energy projects. The team handles an array of infrastructure projects, including utility-scale power facilities, solar, wind, storage and biofuels, composting facilities, water projects, and other industrial facilities.

Recognized as a premier sponsor and developer counsel in the U.S., the team has played a pivotal role in the development and financing of a sizable portion of the nation's solar, wind, and energy storage capacity. Our team has in-depth knowledge of the full project lifecycle, including corporate structuring, site control, EPC contracts, supply and offtake agreements, and regulatory compliance.

Hours Expectations & Compensation

The hours expectation for this position is 1,800 billable hours and an “all-in” hours expectation of 2,050 or 2,150, depending on seniority. The billable hours expectation includes up to 50 pro bono hours. All-in hours include the billable hours expectation as well as any additional billable hours, additional pro bono hours, and investment hours. Investment activities include business development, professional development, mentoring and coaching, recruiting, contributing to the firm’s workplace culture, and civic and community activities.

To be eligible for a bonus, associates must reach or exceed 1,850 billable hours (inclusive of up to 50 pro bono hours) and meet or exceed the all-in hours expectation.

The base compensation range for this position is $315,000 to $350,000. Base compensation presented to an individual candidate may vary based on skills and overall experience.

Developing & Retaining Talent

Stoel Rives places a high priority on attracting, developing, and retaining lawyers and business professionals.

We offer a variety of training programs and retreats addressing practice area topics and skills at all levels, as well as legal and professional skills generally. We have a coaching and mentoring program, and our new lawyer integration program provides new lawyers with the resources and information necessary to succeed after they join the firm. Finally, we have a core competency model which is a roadmap of the practical skills, abilities, and client service techniques needed for long-term success at the firm.

We value lawyers and business professionals who bring to the firm different backgrounds and experiences. Our people bring a variety of educational backgrounds, unique career experiences, bodies of knowledge, technical abilities, and community involvement. This variety makes us better at advising and serving our clients and it ensures a positive and supportive workplace for everyone.

We are proud participants in the ABA Well-Being Pledge, strongly believing that the well-being of our people is paramount to the success of the firm. 

To learn more about the benefits of working as an attorney at Stoel Rives, click here.