Adam S. Umanoff

Partner

Practice Description

Representative Matters

• Representation of Terra-Gen Power in the development and financing of its up to 3,000 MW (approximately $6 billion) Alta Wind Energy Center in California, including the acquisition of project development assets and construction and term financing for the project. Financing for this project has included a $115 million equipment financing, a $400 million construction financing for Alta Phase I and a $1.2 billion financing for Alta Phases II-V (which included a Rule 144A bond offering, a bank cash grant bridge facility and a forward commitment for a sale-leaseback), making this the first large portfolio of wind projects utilizing a leveraged lease finance structure in the United States. When completed, this will be the largest wind project in the United States.
• Representation of BrightSource Energy in connection with the development and financing of 2,600 MW of solar thermal projects in the southwest U.S., including equity financing and debt financing of initial project phases through a U.S. Department of Energy Loan Guaranty. When completed, this will be the largest solar project in the U.S.
• Representation of Caithness Energy and GE Energy Finance in the development and financing of a 850 MW wind project in Oregon, including the acquisition of project assets and the equity and debt financing of the project through a U.S. Department of Energy Loan Guaranty. When completed, this will be the largest wind project in Oregon. 
• Representation of developer in the development and financing of up to 500 MW of wind projects located in New Mexico. 
• Representation of developer in the restructure of over $1 billion of wind turbine supply arrangements for various U.S. projects. 
• Representation of developer in the purchase of wind power development assets throughout the U.S. 
• Representation of developer and turbine manufacturer in connection with a joint venture to develop 5,000 MW of wind projects in South Dakota. 
• Representation of developer in connection with the development and financing of 150 MW of new geothermal projects in California. 
• Representation of wind turbine manufacturer in connection with the establishment of business in the U.S. 
• Representation of equity investor in connection with over $500 million of portfolio investments in photovoltaic solar power projects throughout the southwest U.S. 
• Representation of developer in connection with the development of wind projects in the northeast U.S. (Maine and New Hampshire).
• Representation of utility in connection with its procurement of up to 500 MW of wind capacity (through both project development and purchased power).
• Representation of sponsor in the over $1 billion sale of a portfolio of renewable energy projects.
• Representation of utility in the acquisition of development rights for, the procurement of equipment for and the construction of wind projects located in Oregon.
• Representation of sponsor in connection with the repowering of several renewable energy projects (wind and geothermal) located in California and Nevada.
• Representation of developer in connection with the development of a gas-fired project located in California.
• Representation of developer in connection with a long-term operation, maintenance and parts supply transaction with an equipment supplier for a gas-fired project located in New York.
• Representation of sponsor in connection with renewable energy credit purchase and sale transactions for a series of its wind power projects.
• Representation of developer in over $2 billion of long-term wind turbine equipment purchases and warranty transactions for the development of wind projects throughout North America.
• Representation of developer in the procurement of equipment for, and construction of, several wind projects located in Texas.
• Representation of wind turbine equipment manufacturer in connection with its entry into the North American market, including intellectual property cross-licensing issues.
• Representation of sponsor in connection with a $112 million project financing for a portfolio of wind projects located in California.
• Representation of sponsor in connection with a $70 million project financing for a portfolio of wind projects located in California.
• Representation of investor in connection with the prospective acquisition of a controlling interest in a European wind turbine manufacturer.
• Representation of developer in connection with the development of a wind power project located in Maryland.
• Representation of utility in connection with a "firm” green power purchase arrangement.
• While General Counsel of Enron Wind Corp./Zond Corp., Mr. Umanoff was also involved in a wide area of transactions, including:
  • strategic joint ventures (including a worldwide co-development joint venture with a major utility affiliate);
  • mergers and acquisitions (including the sale of Zond to Enron; the acquisition of a German wind turbine manufacturer; and the acquisition of a key portfolio of intellectual property rights);
  • over $2 billion of project and corporate equity and debt finance transactions; and
  • the worldwide development of over 1,500 MW of wind power projects, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Germany, offshore and elsewhere.

Honors

• Chambers USA - America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2010) - projects and renewable and alternative energy.
  • Mr. Umanoff is one of only six attorneys in the United States listed in Chambers in Band 1 for renewable energy projects.
• Who's Who Legal International (2010) for Project Finance
• Chambers Global - The World's Leading Lawyers (2010) - projects and renewables
• The Best Lawyers in America (2010) for Project Finance Law 
• Southern California Best Lawyers (2010) for his work in project finance law
• Chambers USA - America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2009) for his work in Projects: Nationwide
• Who's Who Legal California (2009) for Project Finance

Activities and Affiliations

Publications

Speeches and Events