John F. Young

Partner
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

Chicago
United States
T:+1 312 964 7747
Chicago
United States
T:+1 312 964 7747
John F. Young

John F. Young

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Biography

John Young regularly advises renewable energy developers and operators on an extensive array of real estate and other matters, having previously served as in-house counsel to a global renewable energy developer and a founder and president of a boutique renewables real estate firm representing leading and emerging developers and operators of clean energy projects in the United States and globally.

While in-house, John was responsible for handling all legal aspects of the company's North American real estate development, as well as serving as primary counsel for Department of Defense initiatives and various joint venture relationships, project acquisition and divestiture, construction projects, purchasing/supply chain master service arrangements, corporate governance issues and compliance matters.

In addition, as a classically trained real estate lawyer, John regularly represents clients on a wide variety of complex commercial real estate matters, including property acquisition/disposition, leasing, land use, construction, joint venture and financing matters with respect to warehouse, manufacturing and distribution facilities, office buildings and research parks, renewable energy generation facilities, mixed-use development, regional malls, sports and entertainment complexes. He serves clients in the real estate investment, renewable energy, hospitality, affordable housing, banking, retail, construction, manufacturing, agricultural, education and pension fund industries.  


Professional experience

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  • JD, cum laude, Order of the Coif, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, 2000
  • BS, summa cum laude, Business Administration, University of Missouri – St. Louis, 1993
  • Illinois State Bar
  • Kansas State Bar
  • Missouri State Bar
  • Represented a global renewable energy developer in connection with the diligence and acquisition of three solar projects comprising 565 MW in development in Kentucky and Tennessee.
  • Represented a global renewable energy developer in connection with the diligence, acquisition, further land assembly, construction and financing of a 260 MW wind farm in central Illinois.
  • Represented a prominent nationwide renewable energy developer in connection with the sale of a 50 MW storage project in development in Texas.
  • Represented a global renewable energy developer in connection with the diligence and acquisition of a 200 MW solar project in development in Illinois.
  • Represented a prominent investor in connection with the portfolio sale of six community solar projects in Massachusetts.
  • Represented a prominent nationwide renewable energy developer in connection with the portfolio acquisition of six storage projects in New York.
  • Represented a nationwide energy developer in connection with the sale of two community solar projects in development in Massachusetts.
  • Represented a global renewable energy developer in connection with the land assembly, construction and financing of a 278 MW wind farm in central Illinois.
  • Represented a prominent nationwide renewable energy developer in the tax equity financing of a 100 MW utility-scale wind project in Kansas.
  • Represented a global renewable energy developer in the development of a 100.5 MW wind farm in Stephenson County, Illinois.
  • Represented a global renewable energy developer in the development, financing, construction and operation of a 6 MW R&D wind farm in Cedar County, Iowa.
  • Represented a global renewable energy developer in connection with the land assembly, construction and financing of a 45 MW wind farm in New Brunswick, Canada.
  • Represented a global renewable energy developer in connection with the land assembly, construction and financing of a 132 MW wind farm in western Oklahoma.
  • Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Real Estate Lawyers, Lawdragon, 2024
  • "Ownership and Leasing of Real Property by Foreign-Owned Entities," University of Texas Renewable Energy Law Institute, January 2024
  • "Real Estate Issues for M&A Transactions," ACC, August 2022
  • "Considerations in Connection with Clean Energy Project Development in Illinois," IICLE, June 2022
  • "Renewable Energy Land Agreements," EUCI, May 2021
  • "Renewable Energy Land Agreements," EUCI, November 2020
  • "Repowering Wind Projects," University of Texas Renewable Energy Law Institute, January 2020
  • "Due Diligence and M&A for Clean Energy Projects," Solar Power International, September 2018
  • "Due Diligence for Wind Project Acquisitions," AWEA Windpower, May 2018
  • "Due Diligence and M&A for Clean Energy Projects," University of Texas Renewable Energy Law Institute, January 2018
  • "Non-Participating Landowners; Issues Raised and Strategies for Limiting Their Impact on Project Development," AWEA Windpower, May 2017
  • "Real Estate Issues in Clean Energy Project Development," Northwestern Pritzker School of Law/Kellogg School of Management, February 2017
  • "Renewable Energy Law: Wind and Solar; Initial Site Acquisition; Acquisition of Land Rights," Washburn University School of Law, October 2016
  • "The Business of Clean Energy Development," Illinois Sustainable Energy Summit, March 2014
  • "Financeability Issues in Wind Energy Leases," AWEA Windpower, June 2012
  • "Real Estate Questions," Acciona Developer Summit, September 2011
  • "Managing Distressed Projects," CBRE Panel, March 2009
  • "Project Workouts," Clune Construction Panel, January 2009
  • "Fundamentals of Leasing," April 2006
  • Merit School of Music, Board of Trustees