FaegreBD Expands Energy and Natural Resources Industry Team With Addition of Corporate Partner John Kirkwood

John Kirkwood has joined Faegre Baker Daniels as a partner in the firm’s corporate practice and national energy and natural resources industry team. He will practice out of the firm’s Indianapolis north side office.

As part of his practice at FaegreBD, Kirkwood assists developers, investment banks and governmental entities in securing debt and equity financing for the industrial biotech industry, including biofuels, renewable chemicals and related low-carbon clean energy, and bio-based products. He also represents companies, investment banks and governmental entities in all aspects of public finance matters.

Kirkwood represents nationally recognized alternative energy and renewable chemical companies as well as investment banks, senior lenders, junior lenders and equity providers in finance transactions for the alternative energy and renewable chemical industries. He has advised ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, green diesel, green jet, waste-to-energy, hydroelectric, solar, renewable chemical developers and their investment banks in raising more than $4 billion of equity and debt to develop alternative energy and renewable chemical facilities.

He also counsels on tax and securities matters, advising cities, towns, colleges and universities, school and fire districts, investment banks, commercial banks, nonprofit organizations, real estate development firms, manufacturers and alternative energy developers on the issuance of tax-exempt and taxable obligations.

“John’s multifaceted understanding of today’s fast-paced and increasingly complex business environment—coupled with his representative experience in the areas of corporate, government, and energy and natural resources—will help our practice continue to provide clients with the highest levels of service,” said Chris Hofstad, partner and leader of the firm’s corporate practice.

FaegreBD’s energy and natural resources industry team leader Jim Spaanstra said, “John’s background in and knowledge of the alternative and renewable energy, and biochemical industries adds depth to our energy and natural resources industry team and clean technology practice, as we continue to serve clients who create products and provide services to protect the environment, increase the efficiency of manufacturing processes, and produce cleaner energy in the years to come.”

FaegreBD’s corporate practice develops innovative business solutions for companies with operations throughout the world, and draws on the collective experience of over 200 professionals in the practice to anticipate clients' needs and help them achieve their goals.

The FaegreBD energy and natural resources industry team advises a broad spectrum of businesses pursuing commercial opportunities within our energy and natural resource economy. Our attorneys offer breadth and depth of legal, commercial and public policy skills to serve clients who need comprehensive, multidisciplinary solutions to industry specific issues that arise while operating within a highly regulated business environment.

“I look forward this next chapter in my career and the opportunity to collaborate with experienced and knowledgeable attorneys and to build upon the excellent work being done on behalf of the firm’s corporate, government, and energy and natural resources clients,” Kirkwood said.

Kirkwood received his law degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, cum laude, and a bachelor of science cum laude from Indiana University Bloomington. He was named a top bioenergy attorney in 2014-15 by Biofuels Digest.