Merrill Kramer
Partner
Over four decades, Merrill Kramer has represented the largest and most innovative companies in the energy sector. One of the top-ranked energy lawyers in the country, Merrill anchors the firm's energy transactional capabilities. His practice focuses on the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects across the U.S. and internationally.
An experienced project finance attorney who began his legal career as a senior trial lawyer at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Merrill guides clients through the complexities of the development, financing, sale, acquisition, and investment in energy and other infrastructure projects. Over his entire career in D.C., he has distinguished himself as a leading figure among industry leaders and policymakers, advocating for projects and policy and regulatory initiatives that advance clean energy solutions.
Merrill has represented Fortune 200 companies and other major players in over a hundred projects representing more than $30 billion in invested capital and involving technologies from solar, wind, battery storage, geothermal, hydroelectric, renewable natural gas, landfill and municipal waste, to cogeneration, combined heat and power (CHP), and conventional natural gas-fired power plants. He also advises large industrial and commercial energy users, as well as universities, on procurement and development matters. His expertise spans industries and legal areas, including corporate transactions, M&A, tax equity investment, private equity investment, regulatory compliance, real estate, land use, and environmental issues.
Merrill's substantial transactional and regulatory experience ensures comprehensive project finance capabilities for DWT's institutional clients and newcomers alike, and his clean energy experience aids companies that are focused on environmental impact, ESG matters, and general corporate governance. During his tenure at FERC, Merrill was head of the Cogeneration and Small Power Production Task Force. Today he serves as outside counsel to the New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA).
Admitted to Practice
- District of Columbia
- Michigan
- New York
Education
- J.D., Wayne State University Law School
- B.A., Linguistics, Columbia University
Memberships & Affiliations
- Policy Committee, New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA)
- Federal Affairs and Tax Committees, American Clean Power Association
- Steering Committee, Energy Bar Association (EBA)
Professional Recognition
- Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in Utilities Law, 2024-present
- Selected to "Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers" in Energy & Natural Resources, Business & Corporate, and Utilities, Thomson Reuters, 2007-2008
- AV Preeminent rating in Energy Law, Martindale-Hubbell
- "Go-To Thought Leadership Award" for work in the clean energy industry, National Law Review
Background
- Partner, Pierce Atwood LLP, Washington, D.C., 2017-2025
- Partner and Sustainable Energy Practice Chair, Sullivan & Worcester LLP, Washington, D.C., 2015-2017
- Manager, Alternegy Holdings LLC, Washington, D.C., 2009-2015
- Partner, Project Finance Practice; Chair, Derivatives & Structured Products Practice, Chadbourne & Parke LLP (now Norton Rose LLP), Washington, D.C., 2002-2009
- Partner and Electric Utility Practice Chair, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Washington, D.C., 1992-2001
- Senior Trial Attorney and Principal Counsel, Cogeneration and Independent Power Task Force, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C., 1980-1984