Adam O’Brian

Adam’s practice focuses on capital markets transactions with an emphasis on public utilities and energy companies. Adam is a member of the firm’s energy and infrastructure team. He specializes in dedicated utility rate securitization, and has represented sponsor utilities/underwriters in over 40 transactions to date. He has experience representing issuers and underwriters on a range of securities transactions including debt and equity financings. Adam counsels clients on SEC registered public offerings, Rule 144A/Regulation S offerings and private placements. Adam also has experience advising clients on ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) offerings and establishment of ESG frameworks.

Dedicated Rate Securitization Transactions:

• Company counsel to DTE Electric Company, subsidiaries of Duke Energy, New York State Electric and Gas, Rochester Gas and Electrics, Pacific Gas & Electric, Evergy Missouri West, Ameren Missouri and Empire District Electric Company
• Underwriters’ counsel for issuances of rate reduction bonds by subsidiaries of American Electric Power Company, CenterPoint Energy Inc., Consumers Energy Company, Public Service Company of New Hampshire, Public Service Company of New Mexico and Southern California Edison Company and Virginia Electric and Power Company.
• Underwriters’ counsel for the issuance of system restoration bonds by the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority (Louisiana Utilities Restoration Corporation)

ESG:

• Underwriters’ counsel for National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation in connection with its inaugural sustainability bond issuance and establishment of its ESG framework
• Initial Purchasers’ counsel for Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC in connection with its inaugural sustainability bond issuance and establishment of its ESG framework

Debt:

• Underwriters’ counsel for CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries, WEC Energy Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation and Oncor Electric Delivery Company in multiple secured and unsecured debt securities issuances
• Initial Purchasers’ counsel for several utilities Rule 144A/Regulation S issuances of debt securities
• Lender’s counsel for ÖBB-Infrastruktur Aktiengesellschaft issuance of unsecured debt
• Counsel for Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for refinancing of private placement debt
• Company and purchasers’ counsel for utilities, including Duke Energy Corp., Southern Company and WEC Energy Group, for multiple 4(a)(2) private placements of debt securities
• Dealer manager’s counsel in connection with multiple debt-for-debt exchange offers, including the first-ever corporate Dutch auction debt-for-debt exchange

Equity:

Underwriters’ counsel for WEC Energy Group for its ATM program.

• Recognized as a Leader in Energy: Electricity (Finance), USA-Nationwide, Chambers USA, 2022-2025
• Recognized as a Leader in Energy: Electricity – Finance, USA, Chambers Global, 2023-2025
• Named among Leading Lawyers for Capital Markets: Debt and Equity, USA, IFLR1000, 2019, 2024