Project Finance Counsel

Fervo Energy is seeking a Project Finance Counsel in Houston, TX, to structure and close financing deals for geothermal energy projects. Responsibilities include drafting and negotiating finance documents, providing legal advice throughout the project lifecycle, conducting legal reviews, and collaborating with stakeholders. The role requires research on project finance laws and managing external counsel, ensuring compliance and effective communication in transactions.
About the position

The Project Finance Counsel will play a critical role in structuring and closing financing deals for our innovative geothermal energy projects. This position is essential in overseeing project-level finance documents, which includes drafting and negotiating term sheets, commitment letters, loan documents, intercreditor agreements, and security agreements. The Project Finance Counsel will work closely with a team of world-class engineers, researchers, investors, and developers to help make geothermal energy a key pillar of a climate-friendly energy future. As part of the role, the Project Finance Counsel will provide comprehensive legal advice and support to clients throughout the project finance lifecycle, from deal origination to closing. This includes conducting thorough legal reviews of project documentation, identifying and addressing potential risks, and ensuring alignment with project goals and risk mitigation strategies. The Counsel will also be responsible for researching and analyzing complex project finance laws, regulations, and industry best practices, staying current on evolving trends and legal developments. Collaboration is key in this role, as the Project Finance Counsel will work effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, partners, lenders, and investors, to develop and execute winning transactional strategies. The Counsel will assist in due diligence reviews, meticulously preparing transactional documents and closing materials, and will communicate clearly and concisely with all parties involved in project finance transactions. Additionally, the Counsel will assist in structuring first-of-a-kind (FOAK) geothermal projects, ensuring that intercompany agreements are acceptable to creditors and lenders, and reviewing major documents such as Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) agreements for financeability. The role also involves ensuring budget compliance and effectively managing the use of external counsel.

Responsibilities
• Draft and negotiate sophisticated financing documentation for project finance transactions, ensuring alignment with project goals and risk mitigation strategies
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• Provide comprehensive legal advice and support to clients throughout the project finance lifecycle, from deal origination to closing
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• Conduct thorough legal review of project documentation, including term sheets, commitment letters, contracts, agreements, and regulatory filings, identifying and addressing potential risks
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• Research and analyze complex project finance laws, regulations, and industry best practices, staying current on evolving trends and legal developments
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• Collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, partners, lenders, and investors, to develop and execute winning transactional strategies
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• Assist in due diligence reviews, meticulously preparing transactional documents and closing materials
,
• Communicate clearly and concisely with clients, opposing counsel, and other parties involved in project finance transactions
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• Assist in structuring FOAK geothermal projects, including drafting and implementing intercompany agreements acceptable to creditors and lenders
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• Review major documents, such as PPAs, EPC agreements, etc. for financeability
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• Work to ensure budget compliance and effectively manage the use of external counsel

Requirements
• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school
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• Admission to the Texas State Bar or eligibility for admission by motion
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• 8+ years of experience in project finance law, with a demonstrated track record of success in the renewable energy sector
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• Strong competency in drafting and negotiating complex financing documents, including loan agreements, security agreements, and intercreditor agreements
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• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain intricate legal concepts in a clear and concise manner
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• Flexible thinker with superb problem-solving abilities, and a knack for identifying and mitigating potential risks
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• Ability to design and implement FOAK project finance structures to satisfy potential lenders and project level investors
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• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks effectively, while also being a strong team player
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• Meticulous attention to detail with exceptional organizational skills
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• Unwavering commitment to providing high-quality legal services and exceeding client expectations
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• Experience with tax equity partnerships, federal tax credits and the transfer of tax credits, as well as the Financing Programs offered by the Loan Program Office (LPO) is a plus

Nice-to-haves
• Experience with tax equity partnerships
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• Familiarity with federal tax credits and the transfer of tax credits
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• Knowledge of Financing Programs offered by the Loan Program Office (LPO)

Benefits