Industry sector: Law

Announcement Type: New Personnel

Leading Transactional and Regulatory Practice Continues to Grow on Heels of More Than a Half Billion Dollars in Clean Technology Transactions

Boston, MA - Energy and environmental industry veteran Richard A. Kanoff, who most recently served as in-house counsel to Calpine Corporation, has joined the Boston office of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C, as Of Counsel in the Energy and Clean Technology practice.

"Mintz Levin has established among the most active and experienced energy and clean technology practices in the U.S., one that combines legal and government relations expertise with practical business advice from former industry executives and government professionals," said Tom Burton, Chair of the firm's Energy and Clean Technology Practice.

"Richard brings an exceptional, 25-year background in both private and public sector aspects of the energy and environmental fields and is an invaluable addition to our growing group of talented attorneys."

While at Calpine, North America's leading geothermal power producer, Mr. Kanoff supported the development, construction, acquisition, restructuring and disposition of more than $2.5 billion in energy facilities. He also managed litigation including state and federal regulatory proceedings and arbitration.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Kanoff served as the Director of Toxic Reduction and Control at the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, where he established enforcement programs to ensure industrial compliance. He also worked with the Massachusetts Department of the Attorney General where he litigated numerous complex energy-related cases before federal and state regulatory commissions.

In addition to corporate and government experience, Mr. Kanoff was previously with Boston law firm Keegan, Werlin & Pabian, where he concentrated on energy regulatory cases, development, construction, facility siting, permitting and environmental compliance. A graduate of Lafayette College, Mr. Kanoff earned a law degree from George Washington University.

Since 2006, Mintz Levin's Energy and Clean Technology Practice has completed more than 25 mergers & acquisitions, venture capital financings and public offerings with a combined value of nearly half a billion dollars. In the first quarter of 2007 alone, the practice has completed over $80 million in clean tech venture capital transactions. A representative list of these transactions includes:

•Represented a syndicate consisting of General Catalyst Partners, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, VantagePoint Venture Partners and Atlas Venture Partners in the $30 million Series B financing of Mascoma Corporation, a leader in cellulosic biomass-to-ethanol development and production.
•Represented CoalTek, Inc., a clean coal technology company, in its Series C financing totaling $33 million.

•Represented EnerNOC, Inc., a leading provider of technology-enabled total energy management solutions, in its acquisition of Celerity Energy Partners.
•Represented New Energy Capital in a $30 million financing by VantagePoint Venture Partners and the California State Teachers' Retirement System.
•Represented FutureFuel Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company ("SPAC"), in its listing on AIM, a market of the London Stock Exchange plc. The transaction was underwritten by CRT Capital LLC.

Mintz Levin is an AmLaw 100 law firm with offices in the US and the UK. The firm has exceptional depth in a broad range of practice areas, but our clients recognize that what sets us apart from other law firms is our industry focus. By truly understanding business drivers and industry trends, we are able to provide our clients with more than just legal advice. We provide legal solutions to our clients' business issues. Since 1933, our lawyers have represented entrepreneurs, emerging growth companies, government agencies, and leaders in primary industries that include Life Sciences/Biotechnology; Technology & Communications; Energy & Clean Technology; Financial Services & Insurance; Healthcare; Real Estate, Hospitality & Construction; and Retail & Consumer Products. Our practical knowledge combined with our industry expertise enables us to provide our clients with enterprise legal advice that gives their business a competitive advantage in the marketplace. For detailed information on the firm we invite you to visit www.mintz.com.