Overview
John Kirkwood assists developers, lenders, investment banks and governmental entities in arranging debt and equity financing for the industrial biotechnology industry, including biofuels, renewable chemicals and related low-carbon clean energy, cleantech and bio-based products. He also represents companies, lenders, investment banks and governmental entities in all aspects of public finance matters.
Alternative Energy and Renewable Chemicals Financing
John represents nationally recognized alternative energy and renewable chemical companies as well as investment banks, senior lenders, mezzanine lenders and equity providers in finance transactions for the industrial biotechnology industry. He has advised ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, green diesel, green jet, waste-to-energy, hydroelectric, solar, renewable, chemical and other developers and their investment banks in raising more than $5 billion of equity and debt to develop alternative energy and renewable chemical facilities.
Municipal Law
John also counsels on tax and securities matters, advising cities, towns, colleges and universities, school and fire districts, investment banks, commercial banks, nonprofit organizations, real estate development firms, manufacturers and alternative energy developers on the issuance of tax-exempt and taxable obligations.Related Legal Services
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Indiana
Education
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
J.D. cum laude (1979)
Indiana University, Bloomington
B.S. cum laude (1976)
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
Other Perspectives
- 48C Qualified Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit: One Year Into the Inflation Reduction Act
The Digest, October 2023 - Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 – Qualified Biogas Property
The Digest, September 2022 - Debt and Equity Financing for the Industrial Biotech Industry
San Francisco, 2017 and Montreal, 2017 - Successfully Financing Advanced Bio-Based Projects Via the USDA 9003 Loan Guarantee Program
The Digest webinar, January 2015 - Advanced Biofuels' Handbook for Preparation of Section 9003 Biorefinery Application
National Biodiesel Board Webinar, 2015 - Project Finance for Renewable Fuels and Renewable Chemicals
Washington, 2015 - Risk Mitigation in connection with Feedstocks for Industrial Biotech Industry
New Orleans, 2015 - Raising Strategic and Project Equity in Industrial Biotech
Montreal, 2015 - Various Topics
Speaker and Moderator, Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy Forum, 2010-14
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- National Association of Bond Lawyers
- Indianapolis Bar Association
- Indiana State Bar Association — Governmental Practice Section
Civic Activities
- NOBLE of Indiana — Board of Directors, 1995-2008 (Past Chairman)
- Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy — Advisory Board of Directors, 2008-12 (Past Chairman)
Honors
- Biofuels Digest — Top 100 People in the Advanced Bioeconomy, 2016-17
- Biofuels Digest — A top bioenergy attorney, 2014-17
- Biofuels Digest — Lead attorney in structuring and closing the "deal of the year," 2011-12
- Indiana Super Lawyers — State, Local & Municipal Law, 2015-19; Energy & Natural Resources, 2015
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.