350 South Grand Ave. 32nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
United States of America

+1 (213) 892-2055
aumanoff@chadbourne.com

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Adam S. Umanoff

Partner

Practice Description

Adam Umanoff’s practice focuses on the development, financing, operation, disposition and acquisition of renewable energy projects and renewable energy companies. He represents project sponsors and developers, lenders, equity investors, technology companies and other participants in the sector, and he has substantial experience in the wind, solar and geothermal industries. Mr. Umanoff also advises industry participants in the emerging electric car space.

Representative Matters

  • Representation of developer in the development and financing of its 3,000 MWs (approximately $6 billion) Alta Wind Energy Center in California, including the acquisition of project development assets and the turbine, project construction and term financing for the projects. When completed, this will be the largest wind project in California
  • Representation of thermal solar technology manufacturer and project developer in connection with the development and financing of 2,600 MWs 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 developer in the multi-phase development and financing of approximately 1,000 MWs of wind projects located in Oregon, including the acquisition of project assets and the equity and debt financing of the project, which, when completed, will be the largest wind project in Oregon.
  • Representation of developer in the development and financing of up to 500 MWs 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 MWs of wind projects in South Dakota. 
  • Representation of developer in connection with the development and financing of 150 MWs 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 MWs 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 1500 megawatts of wind power projects, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Germany, offshore and elsewhere.

Honors

Mr. Umanoff was cited in Chambers USA - America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2009) for his work in Projects: Nationwide, was recognized in Who's Who Legal California: 2009 for Project Finance and was cited in The Best Lawyers in America (2010) for his work in project finance law.

Activities and Affiliations

Mr. Umanoff is a member of the American Bar Association, Business Law Section and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Publications

Speeches and Events


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Practice Areas

Finance

Corporate

Mergers and Acquisitions

Climate Change

Next Generation Vehicles

Project Finance

Industries

Energy

Renewable Energy

Regions

North America

United States

Canada

Education

  • Cornell University, B.S., 1980
  • Columbia Law School, J.D., Editor, Columbia Journal of Environmental Law; Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar; Recipient, Wertheimer Prize in Labor Law, 1983

Professional Background

  • Associate/Partner, Morrison & Foerster, 1983-1994
  • Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary (1994-1999); Managing Director, Americas (1999-2000); President and CEO (2000-2002), Zond Corp/ Enron Wind Corp
  • Independent Renewable Energy Consultant, 2002-2004
  • Partner/Of Counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, 2004-2006

Admissions

1983

California

Languages

English