Leading the Clean Energy Transition: A Panel Discussion on Renewable Energy Project Finance and Development

A panel of four UCLA Law alumni, including leading practitioners in renewable energy law, will discuss the current state of the field and exciting career pathways for law graduates.

Interested in renewable energy? Worried about climate change? Want to be part of the multi-trillion dollar global clean energy transition? Come hear from a panel of four UCLA Law alumni, including leading practitioners in renewable energy law, on the current state of the field and exciting career pathways for J.D. graduates.

Speakers include:

• Ed Feo, Vice Chairman & Co-CEO, Coronal Energy
• Chris Kolosov, Partner, Winston & Strawn
• Sarah Kozal, Energy Development Associate, Stoel Rives
• Ed Zaelke, Partner & Head of Global Energy Project Finance Practice, McDermott Will & Emery
• William Boyd, Professor at UCLA School of Law and UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (moderator)

Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP here by February 21, 2020.

Please note: Room 1420 is not ADA-accessible. Please contact melling@law.ucla.edu if you require accommodations.

The event is co-sponsored by the UCLA Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, and the Environmental Law Society.

Panelist bios: 

Ed Feo, Vice Chairman & Co-CEO, Coronal Energy

Ed Feo is Vice Chairman and Co-CEO of Coronal Energy LLC.  He co-founded the company in 2013. Mr. Feo previously was the Chief Operations Officer and President of Coronal. Prior to Coronal Energy, Mr. Feo co-chaired the Global Project Finance practice at the international law firm of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, LLP. In this role, he spearheaded the development of one of the first law firm practice groups devoted to renewable energy.  After Milbank, he was a co-founder of USRG Renewable Finance, which arranged the senior debt financing for rooftop solar photovoltaic projects. He holds a bachelor’s degree from UCLA, and a Juris Doctor degree from UCLA School of Law.

Chris Kolosov, Partner, Winston & Strawn

Chris Kolosov concentrates her practice in renewable energy industry transactions. She represents (i) buyers and sellers in respect of project acquisition documents, including MIPAs, PSAs and build-transfer agreements, (ii) sponsors and investors in respect of tax equity financings, and (iii) lenders in connection with debt financings. Chris also has extensive experience drafting and negotiating construction, equipment supply, operations and maintenance and asset management agreements. Chris’ practice also includes regulatory work in connection with proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission. Before becoming a lawyer, Chris spent many years as an animation director and draws on her experience managing animation crews and problem-solving under air date deadlines when working to close renewable energy transactions.

Sarah Kozal, Energy Development Associate, Stoel Rives

Sarah Kozal is an associate in Stoel Rives’ Energy Development group. Before joining Stoel Rives, Sarah was an associate with Western Energy & Water (2016-2018). While in law school, she interned at the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and was a legal clerk and research assistant at several organizations and law firms in Southern California, including the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment. Sarah also served as a member of the Delegation of The Republic of Palau to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties in 2014 and 2015. Prior to beginning her career as a lawyer, Sarah worked in museum education in Los Angeles, focusing on outreach to and programming for underserved student populations.

Ed Zaelke, Partner & Head of Global Energy Project Finance Practice, McDermott Will & Emery

Edward (Ed) Zaelke is the head of the Firm’s Global Energy Project Finance group. He focuses his practice on project finance and private equity in renewable energy transactional matters. With more than 30 years of experience, he advises clients on all elements of alternative energy development and finance, including equity and debt financing, merger and acquisition transactions, equipment purchase and sale agreements, power purchase agreements, siting and other real property issues, governmental approvals, and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts.