O’Melveny Worldwide

Chris’s practice focuses on energy and environmental matters. Chris regularly advises clients on tax equity investments in wind, solar and battery storage projects, tax credit transfer transactions, and related corporate matters, including commercial contracts and corporate governance. On the environmental front, Chris strategically guides his clients through the acquisition, remediation, redevelopment and sale of contaminated properties. Chris also brings extensive expertise in California environmental law, including California’s new extended producer responsibility (SB 54) and climate disclosure (SB 253 and SB 261) programs.

Renewable Energy

  • A leading financial institution in connection with its US$221 million preferred equity investment in a portfolio of three solar projects in Idaho, Mississippi and Colorado with a combined capacity of 340MW.
  • A leading financial institution in its hybrid tax equity investments in portfolios of solar and wind projects located in Texas, Illinois, Indiana, and South Dakota.
  • A leading financial institution in connection with its tax equity investments in two wind projects in in Oklahoma totaling over 600MW.
  • A leading financial institution in connection with its tax equity investment in a 130MW solar project in Virginia.
  • A leading financial institution in connection with its tax equity investment in a 171MW wind project in Illinois.
  • An investor in the acquisition of an in-construction bioenergy facility in California.

Environmental

  • Nutrien in connection with the investigation and remediation of legacy phosphate mine sites in Southeast Idaho.
  • A leading truck trailer leasing company in connection with environmental policy development and advocacy matters before the California Air Resources Board.
  • Numerous clients in connection with reporting requirements under California’s climate disclosure laws (SB 253 and SB 261).
  • A major grocery store chain in connection with California’s extended producer responsibility program (SB 54).
  • Apollo Global Management in its acquisition of a majority stake in Kelvion, a global manufacturer of industrial heat exchange and cooling systems for data centers.
  • Apollo Global Management in its acquisition of STACK Infrastructure’s portfolio of data centers in the European Union.
  • Apollo Global Management in its acquisition of Atlas Air Worldwide, a leading global provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services.
  • The Madison Square Garden Company in its $400 million sale of the LA Forum.

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • California

Education

  • University of California at Berkeley, J.D.
  • Yale University, B.S., Geology

Honors & Awards

Recommended by The Legal 500 US in Environment: Transactional (2025)


Professional Activities

Author

  • “Vagueness In Calif. Climate Law Makes Compliance Tricky,” Law 360, co-author (February 2024)
  • “Calif. Climate Disclosure Bills Promise Challenges For Cos.,” Law 360, co-author (October 2023)
  • “SEC Sues Mining Company Based on ESG Disclosures,” Insights: The Corporate & Securities Law Advisor (July 2022)