Overview
Jim Salerno focuses his practice in all stages of development for constructing and financing domestic and international energy and infrastructure projects. He represents developers, sponsors, investors and lenders in structuring and negotiating renewable power, energy storage, carbon capture, renewables, geothermal, hydro and nuclear generation projects, including the drafting and negotiation of project documents and related financing. Jim also represents lenders in domestic PPPs and clients in the mining and metals industries.
Jim also advises developers and lenders in the oil and gas industry, primarily in the Latin American and sub-Saharan Africa markets. He represents an array of clients, from institutional investors seeking access to natural resources to banks financing the construction of new and retrofit projects. Jim also represents parties in vendor and supplier financings, as well as subordinate lenders, hedge providers, offtakers, ECA’s and development finance institutions.
Jim frequently speaks on DOE issues. He also maintains an active pro bono practice in New York-based civic and community affairs.
Results
- Represented KeyBank, as left-lead arranger, and FSB, in its financing of a 80 MW wind farm in Oregon developed by D.E. Shaw’s energy affiliate, DESRI*
- Represented Starbucks in its first direct investment in a solar utility-scale project*
- Represented a private equity fund in financing the development of an RNG portfolio across the United States
- Represented a private lender in connection with the construction, term loan and tax equity financing of an RNG project developed by a leading sponsor in Virginia
- Represented a developer in financing the costs related to the interconnection of a portfolio of storage projects in the United States
- Represented Novis Renewables on a letter of credit facility for its portfolio of solar and solar plus storage projects
- Represented a major Independent Energy Producer in the project financing of four solar projects under development in the United States
- Represented one of the largest developers, owners and operators of power generation and energy storage projects in the Americas, Europe and Asia in the construction, tax equity and tax transfer bridge and back-leverage term loan financing on collocated solar and storage projects as well as standalone storage projects in the United States
- Represented a major independent developer and operator of solar and storage renewable power generation in the construction, tax equity and back-leveraged term loan financing of a portfolio of solar and storage projects in the United States
- Represented a major PV cell manufacturer on a back-leveraged financing of a solar project in the United States with tax equity already in place
*Matter handled prior to joining McDermott*
Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America, Energy Law, 2025
- Chambers Global, Banking and Finance: USA and Latin America-wide, 2012-present
- Legal 500 US, Projects: Renewables and Alternative Energy, 2022-2024
- Chambers USA
- Banking and Finance: Nationwide, 2011
- Banking and Finance: New York, 2010
- Chambers Latin America, Banking and Finance: Latin America-wide, 2012-2019
- Legal 500 Latin America, Banking and Finance International, 2012-2015
- Legal 500 US, Finance, 2008-2009
Credentials
Education
Harvard Law School, JD, cum laude, 1991
Union College, BS, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1980
Admissions
New York
