Community-Scale Energy Law Centered on Impact Capital
I am a tax credit and project finance attorney focused on community-scale and community-benefiting energy projects. My work sits at the intersection of law, project finance, policy, and climate action; I love being part of my client’s teams, turning bold clean energy visions into reality.
My clients include a wide range of stakeholders involved in these projects: developers; contractors; nonprofit organizations; private lenders; green banks; tax credit investors, and community foundations. From solar and storage to geothermal and energy efficiency projects, I help clients navigate the legal and financial complexity needed to unlock incentives, reduce risk, and get projects done.
Helping Capital Flow Where It Matters Most
I’m especially drawn to the capital side of these projects. Over the last two decades, I’ve worked with mission-driven investors, philanthropic funders, and public-private lenders to mobilize literally billions of dollars in clean energy investments—often in and for communities that have been overlooked or underserved.
My sweet spot is helping impact investors, CDFIs, green banks, and foundations design and deploy capital in ways that reflect their values and maximize public benefit. Whether we’re structuring tax credit deals or designing new finance tools from scratch, I bring both legal precision and a deep understanding of how to move money where it’s needed most.
Legal Guidance that Turns Vision into Action
Clients often bring me in when they’re still in the dreaming phase—figuring out how to put solar on the roof of a multifamily affordable housing complex, decarbonize a 100-year-old building where they are tenants rather than owners, or build a new finance mechanism to serve previously-marginalized communities. I love helping shape those dreams and then rolling up my sleeves to make them work—legally, financially, and structurally.
For some projects, I play the conventional project finance lawyer role, reviewing final legal documents. behind-the-scenes legal reviewer. For other projects, clients rely on me to be a a core member of the development team from day one. What I always aim to provide is a clear, grounded path forward—translating complex policies and incentives into tangible legal strategies that make projects viable and scalable.
A Creative, Collaborative Approach
In addition to being a lawyer, I am also a potter. I bring that creativity into my legal work—thinking structurally, spotting connections others might miss, and always designing with purpose. I’m also a former state legislator and White House task force chair, which gives me a strong grounding in public policy and an instinct for working across perspectives.
I care deeply about my clients and the missions they’re advancing. I strive to be more than a service provider—I want to be a true partner in their success. That’s what energizes me: finding ways to deploy more capital, reduce carbon, and help communities thrive.
Education
- William Mitchell College of Law
- University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning
- University of Minnesota
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota
- District of Columbia
- Founding Chair, CLEAN White House Task Force on climate and clean energy
- Senior Advisor, National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
- Senior Advisor, GOVERNING Institute
- Chair, Safety and Security Committee, Shir Tikvah synagogue
- Treasurer, The Violence Project Research Center to end mass shootings
- Director, Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis
- Past Director, James J. Hill Library
- Fellow, British American Project
- Election Impact on Community-Scale Energy Tax Credits and Federal Funding — Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light (MNIPL)
- Paying Solar Incentives Direct to Nonprofits — Episode 213 of Local Energy Rules Podcast
- Low-Income Solar Financing – Mobilizing Private Capital for the Public Good
- Electricity Regulation 101 – The Regulatory Compact
- Clean Energy Leaders – Comparing Paths to 100%
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Minnesota Solar Energy Industry Association
- Novogradac Renewable Energy Tax Credit Working Group
- Global Alliance of Impact Lawyers (GAIL)
“I consistently find Jeremy to be an individual of the highest character and passionate about serving others. He is incredibly bright and quick to consider alternatives necessary to drive solutions.” – Greg Heinemann, Co-Founder Adrenaline Enterprises
“One of Jeremy’s strengths has been matching new markets areas with financing opportunities. He has proven himself to be a strong leader to navigate the internal politics of complicated partnerships, going step-by-step with a persistent eye on the larger goal: to bring Credit Union capital to new markets for clean energy.” – Mara Humphrey, VP of Government Affairs and Member Services, Minnesota Credit Union Network
“I have spent my career working with some of the country’s greatest leaders. I can say that Jeremy has an incredibly rare mix of skills that allow him to work in a team- oriented environment, connect with the people he is serving and working for and ultimately delivering results.” – Nick Rathod, Deputy Director of White House Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Assistant to President Barack Obama
“Jeremy is an innovator, a “do-er” and a listener. He sees the big picture, as well as the details. During my time working with Jeremy he has been thoughtful, deeply engaged, and respectful of the needs of our City and residents. Jeremy’s ability to evaluate and develop different financing structures has been invaluable to me, and to the Baltimore Shines initiative. His knowledge of financing, and connections to finance and economic development professionals across the country have helped us tremendously. He has used his experience as a legislator to help us navigate the passage of a bill dedicated to funding of the Baltimore Shines guarantee fund – which with a Republican Governor, and Democratic Legislature can be tricky. Jeremy worked through this with ease and was able to strategize with us on the best approaches to ensure passage.” – Alice Kennedy, Deputy Commissioner, Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development
“Jeremy has organized a funding system for the oft forgotten area of small to medium sized organization funding for Green Energy projects.” – Jay Jacobson, President, Commercial Environmental Services LLC
“If you’ve ever wanted to meet one of those public figures who has a genuine interest in meeting and improving the lives of his constituents, this is the one. He wears out shoes walking his house district, has a strong, principled commitment to improving the lives of his constituents, and has a great sense of humor to boot.” – John Farrell
