Practice Areas
- Corporate
- Energy
- Energy Project Development
- Energy Project Finance
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Project & Equipment Finance
Education
- B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1994
- J.D., Wake Forest University, 1997
Bar & Court Admissions
- North Carolina, 1997
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, 1997
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of North Carolina, 1999
- U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina, 1999
Joseph (Joe) A. Fernandez
Responsive, diligent and client-focused, Joe Fernandez forms close, long-term relationships with his business and energy clients by understanding their needs and delivering timely, practical solutions to their complex transactional matters — including purchase, sale and finance transactions for strategic parties, financial institutions and private equity groups.
He possesses specific experience representing energy companies in corporate finance and project finance transactions, in acquisitions and divestitures of project companies, in negotiating and drafting project contracts, and in the operation of electric generating facilities. Mr. Fernandez serves as project counsel to electric generating facilities located around the country, including facilities in North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Idaho.
Mr. Fernandez spent approximately 18 months seconded to the legal department of Cogentrix Energy, LLC, one of the nation’s largest independent power producers. In that capacity, he helped to coordinate the acquisition of a portfolio of power generating facilities and the refinancing of a $750 million corporate term loan and revolver.
Mr. Fernandez has also represented Cogentrix in multiple corporate financings, project financings, acquisitions, and divestitures, including the sale of its 50 percent stake in Birchwood Power Partners, L.P. to subsidiaries of General Electric Capital Corporation and the recent sale of a 50 percent indirect interest in two coal-fired electric generating facilities in Virginia to funds managed by Quantum Utility Generation. In 2009 Mr. Fernandez represented Cogentrix in the acquisition of Sunray Energy, Inc., the owner and operator of facilities formerly known as Solar Energy Generation Systems I and II (SEGS I and SEGS II), which were the first two utility-scale solar trough plants built in the world.
Mr. Fernandez has represented multiple electric generating projects in the negotiation of long-term parts supply agreements, parts storage and warehousing agreements, operation and maintenance agreements and other management services arrangements. He has also negotiated and closed major equipment supply and option agreements, including agreements for the sale of new and used turbines and generators.
Representative Client Services
- Purchase and sale transactions for strategic parties, financial institutions and private equity groups
- Corporate finance and project finance transactions
- Acquisitions and divestitures of electric generating facilities
- Negotiating and drafting project contracts for electric generating facilities
- Legal advice concerning the operation of electric generating facilities
Of Note
- Charlotte Business Journal “40 Under 40” winner for 2012
- Selected for inclusion to the 2010 - 2012 North Carolina Rising Stars list, which is included in the North Carolina Super Lawyers magazine.
- Graduate, Charlotte Chamber Leadership School
- Graduate, Leading the Way program, United Way of the Central Carolinas, Inc.
News
- Moore & Van Allen Member Named 40 Under 40 Winner
- MVA attorneys honored by NC Super Lawyers
- Thirty-six Moore & Van Allen Attorneys Named to North Carolina Super Lawyers 2010
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association: Business Law Section
- North Carolina Bar Association: Business Law Section