PALO ALTO, CA (February 12, 2014) – Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, is pleased to announce that Sean M. Moran and Michael P. Joyce have joined the firm as new partners. Formerly with Sidley Austin, Moran and Joyce are focused on high-level energy and infrastructure finance and will be based in the firm’s Los Angeles office.

“The energy space is a key driver of the global economy, and serving this vital sector long has been one of the firm’s priorities,” said Chairman Larry Sonsini. “With their vast expertise in this field, Sean and Michael will expand our ability to work with the companies that are developing solutions to the world’s pressing need for both traditional and renewable energy, and we are tremendously excited about this opportunity.” 

“In both style and substance, Sean and Michael are a perfect fit for the firm,” said Doug Clark, co-managing partner. “Their experience complements the excellent work of our existing energy and finance partners, and also adds to the sophisticated finance and tax offerings the firm provides to enterprises and investors irrespective of industry. In addition, Sean and Michael are known for their innovative and influential approaches to infrastructure finance, which dovetails with the firm’s own push for creative legal solutions and the pioneering, game-changing work of our clients.”

Sean Moran is a leading asset finance attorney. He was instrumental in creating the structure that has become the standard for renewable energy deals in the United States, and has handled many of the country’s largest and most complex renewable energy financing transactions, including numerous first-of-its-kind deals. With broad expertise spanning such areas as solar, geothermal, biomass, biofuel, and wind energy, Moran represents Fortune 50 companies, investors, utilities, sponsors, and developers. He also represents clients in fossil fuel energy generation facilities, including those utilizing natural gas, coal, and oil and gas. In addition, he represents clients on a wide variety of other infrastructure projects, such as transmission systems, toll roads, transportation systems, and water and waste treatment facilities. Moran earned his LL.M. in tax from the New York University School of Law in 1994, a J.D. from the Fordham University School of Law in 1988, and a B.S. from Fordham University in 1981.

A highly adept project finance attorney, Michael Joyce has represented clients in numerous cutting-edge transactions in the energy and infrastructure fields, with a particular emphasis on renewable energy sectors such as solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. He also has considerable experience with coal, gas-fired, and nuclear projects, as well as with the disposition and acquisition of assets. Joyce received his J.D. from the Santa Clara University School of Law in 2002 and his B.A. from Claremont McKenna College in 1998.

About Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

For more than 50 years, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has offered a broad range of services and legal disciplines focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the management and boards of directors of business enterprises. The firm is nationally recognized as a leader in the fields of corporate governance and finance, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, securities litigation, employment law, intellectual property, and antitrust, among many other areas of law. With deep roots in Silicon Valley, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has offices in Austin; Beijing; Brussels; Georgetown, DE; Hong Kong; Los Angeles; New York; Palo Alto; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; Shanghai; and Washington, D.C. For more information, please visit www.wsgr.com.