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Overview

Brenda represents clients in the energy and credit union industries, overseeing corporate transactions and providing general corporate counsel.

Brenda has focused a significant portion of her practice on the energy industry for 20 years, working most frequently with clients operating in the energy sector, including both public utilities and sponsors of new generation resources. She is particularly focused on renewable forms of energy and values working in a highly innovative, future-oriented industry. Brenda has extensive experience handling corporate finance matters, project finance, and general corporate governance issues, as well as counseling clients in the development, acquisition, and operation of renewable energy projects, including their due diligence process.

In addition to her work in the energy sector, Brenda also brings 20 years of experience with credit unions and routinely represents these organizations in transactions and regulatory matters. She works especially often with her credit union and CUSO clients on strategic mergers with other credit unions, and she performs contract review, advises on corporate governance questions, and represents the credit union before both state and federal regulators.

Brenda’s detail-oriented and goal-driven nature make her ideally suited to corporate and transactional work: she loves helping clients get to yes and helping both sides achieve a common goal. Known as approachable and accessible, Brenda is a problem solver who always gets clients an answer. Clients value her as an invested partner who’s truly engaged in their business.

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • Southwest Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Business & Corporate, Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities & Corporate Finance, 2005, 2008, 2009

Education

  • J.D., University of Texas at Austin School of Law
  • B.A., University of Texas at Austin
    • with high honors

Admissions

  • Texas

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • American Bar Association, Business Law Section; Former Member of Council, Content Board Member, Business Law Now Board Member, Former Credit Union Committee Chair
  • Association of Women in Energy, Board of Directors
  • Austin Bar Association
2024 Pro Bono Contributor
Experience
  • Represented data center developer in structuring a transaction among data center, generator, and retail electric provider for the development of co-located 20MW bitcoin mining data center and the sales of energy to the data center located in Ector County Texas.
  • Represented solar project developer in the acquisition of hybrid renewable energy generation facility under development in Gonzalez County, Texas comprised of a 95 MW solar energy generation facility and a 33MW battery energy storage system.
  • Represented Canadian based company in the negotiation of a joint venture agreement with foreign owner of wave energy technology.
  • Represented community solar company in the negotiation of the purchase of a portfolio of 139MW of operating community solar assets located in five markets (Minnesota, New York, Illinois, South Carolina, and Massachusetts) from an established renewable energy company.
  • Represented developer of project involving multiple micro data centers totaling 10MW of load in structuring and negotiating commercial arrangement among data center, generator, and electric cooperative. Project involved the co-location of micro data centers with existing solar project located in ERCOT power region in Texas.
  • Represented solar project developer in the acquisition of development-stage utility-scale solar energy generation project with a target nameplate capacity of approximately 145 MWac of solar and approximately 75 MWac of battery storage located in Kleberg County, Texas.
  • Represented existing wind generator in documenting and structuring transaction for development of facility and sale of power with developer of co-located 120 MW modular data center in Cameron County, Texas.
  • Represented existing wind generator in documenting and structuring transaction for development of facility and sale of power with developer of co-located 100 MW modular data center in Cameron County, Texas.
  • Regularly counsels clients in acquisitions, representing both the buyer and seller (including drafting and negotiating letters of intent and purchase agreements, administering due diligence process, negotiating and drafting executive employment and consulting agreements, and managing work streams necessary to the transaction.
  • Represented a nonprofit organization focused on youth outreach and care in a merger with a notable nonprofit organization.
  • Negotiates and drafts agreements governing the allocation of resources, distribution of profits, and ownership of assets in joint venture arrangements.
  • Provides counsel on organizational issues for start-up businesses, including choice of entity, liability protection, risk management, and agreements providing for the division of profits among owners.
  • Negotiates and drafts commercial agreements.
  • Regularly counsels public and privately owned electric utility clients and renewable energy developers in general corporate matters relating to business organizations and governance issues under Texas law.
  • Assists energy clients with corporate finance matters involving the establishment and renewal of credit facilities and the issuance of equity and debt.
  • Assists with development, acquisition, and operation of wind and solar projects in the State of Texas, including facilitating due diligence investigations.
  • Regularly counsels and advises credit unions on general transactional and regulatory matters, including negotiation and drafting of third-party vendor agreements; examinations and compliance matters before the Texas Credit Union Department and National Credit Union Administration; regulatory compliance related to the offering and advertising of financial products and services; Field of Membership expansion; member-related account and lending issues and member complaints; negotiation and documentation of mergers, including obtaining regulatory approval; design and structuring of credit union service organizations; and governance matters.
Case Studies
Empowering Change: Zero Electric's Journey with Communities for Change and Husch Blackwell

HB Communities for Change initiative assists Zero Electric to secure a charging station, build it out, and develop the technology they will store at the station.

Outside the Office

Most of Brenda’s free time is devoted to her preteen twin daughters. The family particularly enjoy spending time outdoors and going for hikes, often with their German Shorthaired Pointer.

Brenda is also an enthusiastic photographer who loves taking trips focused on landscape photography.

Community Leadership
  • Partners in Education Foundation
  • Volunteer Legal Services Clinic