Overview
As a member of the Corporate Department, Debra focuses her practice on renewable energy transactions, general corporate matters, franchising, licensing and distribution matters, as well as other business growth strategies.
Debra’s corporate practice includes counseling clients, both publicly and privately held, on transactions related to capital formation, mergers and acquisitions, reorganizations, brand extension programs, joint ventures and strategic alliances in a variety of industries. She has extensive experience advising clients on renewable energy transactions, including the structuring, development and financing of renewable projects throughout North America and Europe. Debra has served as counsel for major investment banking clients, large developers, sponsors, utilities, and other lenders and investors in the development, implementation, acquisition, structuring and financing of renewable assets, including the negotiation of acquisition and financing documents (including tax equity and back leverage), strategic investments, PPAs, EPCs, and various agreements related to state and local incentives and renewable energy credits.
Debra also counsels clients on distribution, franchise and dealer relations, terminations, transfers and regulatory compliance. Her experience includes mergers and acquisitions involving franchise systems, development of domestic and international franchise strategies, preparation of franchise and license agreements and related disclosure materials, advising on compliance programs and distributor consolidation matters, as well as franchisee and dealer terminations. She has worked with hundreds of franchisors and suppliers in a wide variety of industries, including energy, food service, retail, beverage (alcohol and non-alcohol), hospitality, automobile rental, convenience store, sports and entertainment, cosmetology, healthcare, real estate, industrial goods, clothiers, cosmetics, and residential and light commercial services.
Debra has served as pro bono counsel to the National Association of Women Business Owners, coordinates the Firm’s staffing of, and regularly volunteers at the D.C. Bar’s Landlord Tenant Resource Center, and has provided pro bono legal assistance to multiple charitable organizations, including FAIR Girls, No One Left Behind, UNITAS, the Human Rights Campaign and the Northern Virginia Coalition.
Results
- Representing a leading US utility in the acquisition of two large wind energy projects under development and in the negotiation of multiple power purchase agreements relating to utility-scale wind projects
- Representing a leading US utility in the acquisition of a large solar + storage facility under development
- Representing a leading French apparel company in its expansion into the United States
- Representing a leading virtual reality experience company in its franchise expansion in the United States
- Represented a Fortune® 500 company in the sale of its title insurance underwriter business and the majority of its retail title business, including its ongoing investment in the purchaser
- Represented a Fortune® 500 company in its strategic investments in excess of $100M in three different private technology companies
- Represented major investment bank in its acquisition, development and financing of multiple solar projects and portfolios of solar projects (primarily C&I) across the United States over the course of 10 years
- Represented multiple Fortune® 500 companies in their cross-border, corporate reorganizations
- Represented a major developer of residential solar projects in connection with up to $500 million in joint venture financings provided by a consortium of private equity and investment management funds
- Represented Jimmy John’s LLC in connection with its sale of a majority interest in the company to Roark Capital Group
- Represented Levy Acquisition Corp., a special-purpose acquisition company, in connection with its acquisition of Del Taco Holdings, Inc.
- Represented Fireman Capital Partners in connection with its acquisition of two separate Dunkin’ Donuts franchise networks in Florida, forming the largest Dunkin’ Donuts franchise network in the Dunkin’ Donuts system
Recognitions
- Legal 500 US, Recommended, 2015, 2017, 2021-2024
- District of Columbia Courts, Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2023
- IFLR1000 Energy & Infrastructure 2015 Guide , Renewable Energy, Latin America
Community
- National Association of Women Business Owners, former counsel
- DC Bar Landlord Tenant Resource Center, firm coordinator
- Children’s Science Center (NOVA), founding member
Credentials
Education
George Washington University Law School, JD
Ohio State University, BA
Admissions
District of Columbia
Maryland
Virginia
