Clean energy, including renewable and alternative energy sources such as sunlight, wind, biofuels, hydro, and geothermal, has emerged as part of the solution for fueling the world’s energy needs and for driving opportunities for innovative companies. Silicon Valley led the technology revolution in the 20th Century, and Palo Alto is again a hub, but this time for the clean energy revolution of the new century.

The World’s Leading Energy Law Firm Comes to the Clean Energy Capital of the World
Consistently named the “World’s Leading Energy Law Firm” by Euromoney, V&E is uniquely positioned to take growing clean energy companies from technology development to generating power or producing fuel on a commercial scale.

Our broad energy experience and interdisciplinary approach enable us to anticipate our clients' needs and identify and resolve the issues critical to a successful energy project. V&E lawyers like Palo Alto office head Boyd Carano have significant knowledge and strength in virtually every sector of the global energy business, including in the U.S., Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. Lawyers in our Palo Alto office and our global Energy practice are regularly named in Euromoney's Guide to the World's Leading Energy and Natural Resource Lawyers and Guide to the World's Leading Project Finance Lawyers. In the past year, Vinson & Elkins counseled energy and infrastructure clients on more than 1,500 matters collectively valued at more than $150 billion involving 400-plus energy practice lawyers.

Clients look to V&E for guidance on the most challenging aspects of energy transactions, including tax planning, intellectual property protection, complex contractual and financing arrangements, environmental permitting and compliance, capital raising and IPOs, and joint ventures and other partnering arrangements. Our lawyers also stay constantly up to date on new funding opportunities for energy projects, such as those provided by the Department of Energy as part of the ARRA.

Focus on Emerging Clean Energy Projects, Venture Capital, and Life Sciences
At Vinson & Elkins, we know that vision and technology drive innovation, and organization and investment drive entrepreneurship, but extensive knowledge is necessary to bring the two together and turn business plans into deals, and deals into successful projects. 

Lawyers like Kyle Fox in our Palo Alto office help entrepreneurs successfully grow a company from an idea to operations, including venture capital finance and capital structure. Our lawyers leverage a unique combination of practical experience and advanced education in areas like the biomedical sciences, global finance, and high tech to provide the highest levels of professional service and insight.

V&E lawyer Margaret Sampson – herself a Ph.D. in Molecular and Human Genetics – speaks the language of science and entrepreneurship for clients seeking help and advice on intellectual property issues. Our lawyers also have significant strengths and experience guiding companies through the complex environmental and energy regulatory issues they will face.

Recently, V&E's Palo Alto IP strengths were further enhanced with the addition of partner Chuck Ebertin, widely respected as one of the leading IP lawyers on the West Coast. Chuck's practice focuses on intellectual property litigation, including patent, copyright, and trade secret issues, as well as contract litigation arising from technology licensing.

At the End of the Day, It's About Combining Innovation and Experience
Successfully commercializing advanced technologies involves risks as well as rewards, and requires an innovative, interdisciplinary approach. As an international law firm with 14 offices across the globe and more than 770 transactional, litigation, tax, restructuring, IP, and regulatory lawyers, we have the knowledge and experience to handle our clients’ most significant and challenging engagements. With the establishment of our Palo Alto office, V&E is ready to provide its experience to Silicon Valley’s entrepreneurs and investors.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.