The following is an excerpt from Practice Perspectives: Vault's Guide to Legal Practice Areas.
Dao Huynh, Senior Associate—Energy and Infrastructure
Dao Huynh is a senior associate in the San Francisco office of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP and is a member of the Energy and Infrastructure group. Ms. Huynh’s practice focuses on energy and infrastructure project finance and development and general corporate matters. Ms. Huynh has participated in a variety of transactions for traditional and renewable energy projects and public and startup companies. Prior to joining Orrick, Ms. Huynh held a year-long fellowship position as a staff attorney at TechSoup Global, a nonprofit technology organization. She also has previous experience working as an editor and contributing writer for Yahoo!, Inc.
Describe your practice area and what it entails.
I primarily represent energy project developers, sponsors, lenders, and other financing providers in connection with the development, financing, buying, and selling of renewable and traditional utility-scale energy projects and the financing of residential distributed solar projects.
What types of clients do you represent?
I have a broad range of clients, from rooftop solar financing providers to developers, sponsors, and lenders. In the
past few years, my clients have included Recurrent Energy, LLC; 8minute; Clearway; and EDP Renewables.
What types of deals and/or cases do you work on?
My work is primarily focused on the following areas:
Project M&A: Representing sellers in sales of utility-scale renewable energy projects, including due diligence, term sheet, and M&A negotiations.
Project Debt Financing: Representing borrowers and lenders in bridge, construction, and term loan financings for utility-scale renewable energy projects.
Project Tax Equity Financing: Representing sponsors and developers in tax equity financings for utility-scale renewable energy projects.
Residential Solar (Rooftop) Financing: Representing fin-ancing providers in creating financing programs and drafting-related agreements for residential solar customers and contractors.
How did you choose this practice area?
I really lucked into this practice—I was not confident when I was a law student that I had the right skill set to be a finance attorney and did not have much exposure to this area of law at that time, but I ended up being in the right place at the right time as a junior associate. The better question might be what keeps me here. I greatly enjoy working with my colleagues and the range of clients that I serve, from big multinational corporations to small companies with a few individuals—my clients and colleagues demonstrate a great passion for the energy sector and the courage to dream of the next big thing and make it so, particularly in renewable energy. My practice is always evolving, and we deal with new issues on a regular basis. I went to law school to find a career with constant challenges and rewards, and I have found just that in my practice.
What is a typical day like and/or what are some common tasks you perform?
On any given week, I may be working on anywhere from two to four transactions and other minor ongoing matters for clients. I spend a large part of my time drafting, reviewing, discussing, and revising agreements and other documents for those transactions. For example, this week, I’m revising a new term sheet for a client’s portfolio tax equity transaction and preparing to close a transaction for another client. I supervise more junior members of the team and in turn, work closely with more senior members to address more substantive drafting and legal issues that arise.
What training, classes, experience, or skills development would you recommend to someone who wishes to enter your practice area?
While there are no classes that are strictly required, courses or background experience in secured transactions and energy-related environmental, regulatory, and tax law would be helpful. Clear, concise writing; strong organizational skills; and methodical attention to detail are also highly valuable skills to have.
What is the most challenging aspect of practicing in this area?
My clients often face real deadlines for successfully completing their projects, and every day can bring a new challenge to be overcome when it comes to meeting construction and financing deadlines. No two challenges are ever the same, but that is also what I find rewarding about this job!
What do you like best about your practice area?
I love being able to describe my job to my friends and family, have them connect directly to—and understand—my work, and know that I am helping to make a difference in energy. Believing in my work and my clients’ work makes all the difference on those inevitable late nights.
What misconceptions exist about your practice area?
One misconception about this practice is that it is not as broad as it actually is. Our Energy and Infrastructure group at Orrick alone includes copper mining and hydroelectric project deals; public-private-placement transactions; and wind, solar, natural gas, and a variety of other energy project transactions.
What is unique about your practice area at your firm?
I joined the Orrick Energy and Infrastructure group five years ago, and since that time, we have continued to grow. We staff seamlessly across offices, particularly among the U.S. offices, and we are truly one firm when it comes to serving our clients’ needs.