Karen B. Wong

Wong has her fingerprints on some of the largest energy projects over the past 30 years. Colleagues consider her a pioneer in the area of renewable energy, having worked with financiers and developers in the world of hydroelectric, wind, solar, biomass and geothermal projects since the late 80s. Her work has taken her around the world, to China, southeast Asia and Latin America, where she worked on complex transactions.

"When you're around the best you become one of the best," said Wong, a partner at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP.

In California Wong has been the lead partner on a number of utility scale renewable energy projects, including the sale-leaseback transaction for the financing of the Catalina Solar Project and the Pacific Wind Project. She lead the development and financing of the Mojave Solar Thermal Project, a $2.5 billion project financed by the Department of Energy.

Wong also represented Google in its tax equity investment in the 82 MW Regulus Solar Energy Project in Tehachapi.

Wong recently closed on a project where she represented three tax equity investors, MidAmerican Energy, Citigroup, and HSBC, who backed the Mariah North Project. When finished, the Mariah North Project is expected to generate 230 MW of wind power in northwest Texas.

Wong also represented NRG Yield Operating Inc. in acquiring 25 percent interest in the 550 MW Desert Sunlight Solar Project in Riverside County.

As a woman, Wong said the legal profession is taxing, but added she has been lucky in the sense that her firm is gender-neutral. "I think it is kind of like a meritocracy. We have always promoted people regardless of gender," Wong said.

- Justin Kloczko