Dirk Michels is a leader in the Firm's Cleantech and Alternative Energy practice group. Resident in K&L Gates' Palo Alto and San Francisco offices, he advises publicly traded and privately held U.S. and international cleantech and IT companies in corporate and financing matters.
His work on behalf of cleantech companies, particularly those focused on renewable energies, includes the full range of corporate and strategic advice, as well as assistance with all aspects of project development and financing, complex debt and equity financing, and securing of public grants. He has developed and negotiated corporate and project agreements for many companies engaged in centralized and distributed renewable energy projects - from power purchase agreements, to construction contracts, debt and equity financing agreements and agreements related to renewable energy and carbon credits.
In his more than 15 years of practicing law in Germany and California, Mr. Michels has advised his clients in venture funding, private equity, M&A and project financing transactions with a total value exceeding multiple billion dollars domestically and internationally.
Prior to joining a firm in California, Mr. Michels practiced as a lawyer in Hamburg, Germany for several years.