James R. Cowan
James’ project finance and development successes include a $3 billion public-private partnership for military housing and an infrastructure debt restructuring of more than $1 billion.
James Cowan assists clients on project finance and development, primarily in the energy and infrastructure industries.
In his finance practice, James represents borrowers, project developers, sponsors, investors, lenders, and others in private and capital market debt financings. These include Rule 144A offerings and other project financings, secured and unsecured corporate financings, letters of credit, and related refinancings and restructurings. He also advises clients on various types of swaps, derivatives, and other financial instruments.
In development matters, James represents project companies, developers, and sponsors. He structures and negotiates agreements, including joint ventures; engineering, procurement, and construction; design/build; supply, operation, and maintenance; and service, primarily for the development of power projects, including gas-fired, solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro-powered generation, and housing developments. He frequently represents borrowers, developers, and sponsors in connection with public-private partnerships (also known as "PPPs" or "P3s") in the infrastructure sector.
James is experienced in mergers and acquisitions, representing buyers and sellers in the purchase and disposition of projects and companies in the energy, infrastructure, and other sectors. He also handles related leveraged financing transactions.
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco, J.D., 1992
- University of Oxford, M.St., 1988
- Harvard University, B.A., cum laude, 1986
Bar and Court Admissions
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Oregon
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California
Professional Experience
Project Finance
Military Housing Privatizations
Public private partnerships in the development, construction, financing, operation and management of military housing facilities for the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps on bases throughout the United States, with a collective value in excess of $3 billion. The Army Hawaii Family Housing transaction was named North American PPP Deal of the Year by Project Finance magazine. Advise project companies on a regular basis with respect to all aspects of their operations.
Restructuring of Power Plant Financing
An independent power producer in the financing of a power plant in California involving a public offering of equity in Canada and the preparation of related disclosure documentation, the restructuring of a sale/leaseback facility and the transfer of the plant to a new lessor.
Power Plants Financing
An independent power producer in a number of power project financings, including a Rule 144A project financing of power facilities in California, which was named North America Project Finance Deal of the Year by Euromoney magazine.
Restructuring and Cross Collateralization of Power Projects
A publicly traded utility in the restructuring of the debt facilities for several of its projects, including extensive re-negotiation of term loans and revolving loans and cross collateralization of the projects' assets, which was named North America Refinancing Deal of the Year by Euromoney magazine.
Spin Off of Power Projects
An independent power producer in the spin-off of its geothermal assets and related financing transactions.
Joint Venture
A large multinational private construction company in connection with a joint venture that developed and financed power projects around the globe.
Finance
Credit Facilities
Numerous companies in the technology, telecommunications, retail and other industries in connection with secured and unsecured senior, subordinate and mezzanine facilities, including letter of credit and swingline facilities.
Swaps and Derivatives
Counter-parties in various industries in connection with interest rate and foreign company swaps, repurchase agreements, guaranteed investment contracts and related custodial arrangements.
Energy
Gas-Fired
- A public utility in its acquisition of a power plant in the State of Washington.
- Independent power producers in connection with the development and financing of power plants in California, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Colorado.
- A private equity fund in its acquisition of several gas-fired power projects in the United States and in Latin America.
Renewable Energy
Solar
- An investor-owned utility in the development, construction, acquisition and financing of a photovoltaic project in Southern Oregon.
- An equity fund in its investments in residential solar providers
- A public-private partnership in solar projects on housing within South Carolina, Arizona and Hawaii.
- A solar power developer in the development and financing of photovoltaic projects in the Western U.S.
- A lender in connection with the financing of several solar projects in California.
Wind
- A wind turbine manufacturer in the sale of wind turbines in several projects in the U.S.
- A European developer in its due diligence review and acquisition of several wind farms in the U.S.
- A U.S. bank in its due diligence review of all documentation relating to wind farms in the U.S.
- An investor in connection with the acquisition and financing of wind projects in the Western U.S.
Geothermal
- An international development geothermal energy company in the development and financing of geothermal power projects in New Mexico and Utah.
- An independent power producer in the development of a complex of geothermal power plants in northern California, and in its subsequent financing and spin-off.
Hydropower
- The agent in connection with the project financing of hydropower facilities in Oregon and Montana.
Oil and Gas
- An equity fund in its investments in several mid-stream oil and gas companies.
- An Alaska-based exploration and production company in the sale of its assets to a major international production company.
- An Alaska Native Corporation in a joint venture to develop an underground coal gasification project in Alaska.
- An Alaska subsidiary of a Canada-based international oil and gas exploration and production company in its secured loan facility.
- A lender in connection with a senior secured loan to a U.S.-based oil and gas exploration company.
- The Government of the Czech Republic in the privatization of its two largest refineries and the sale to a consortium of European oil and gas companies of a 49% stake in the privatized company.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Solar Project
A public utility in its acquisition of a solar project in Southern Oregon.
Power Plant
A public utility in its acquisition of a gas-fired power plant in the State of Washington.
Construction Company
A private equity fund in its acquisition of a nationwide construction company and the related financing.
Power Plant
An independent power producer in its acquisition and disposition of several power plants in the U.S., and related refinancings.
Joint Venture
A construction company in the disposition of its interests in a joint venture which owned a number of power plants throughout the world.
Czech Refineries Privatization and Disposition
The Government of the Czech Republic in the privatization of its two largest refineries and the sale to a consortium of European oil and gas companies of a 49% stake in the privatized company.