Serena Rwejuna
Biography
‘Serena is absolutely excellent. Her guidance is on-point and informed with industry insight.’
‘Serena Rwejuna can do heavy lifting on corporate transaction related issues. She has a masters in business and really shines on heavy duty corporate related work. When she worked with me, she helped us with difficult dividend issues, accounting and Board of Director and Officer issues too. She pays a lot of attention to detail and that is very much appreciated.’
‘Serena Rwejuna is a star. She is particularly good at energy regulatory work that has a corporate overlay - work related to financings, for example.’
Overview
Serena A. Rwejuna is a partner in the Energy, Infrastructure, Project and Asset Finance Group (EIPAF) where she is a leader within the Energy Markets & Regulatory practice. Serena also serves as Co-Deputy Head for the North American Region of the White & Case Global Power Industry Group and Co-Head for the White & Case Global Green Policy, Regulation and Incentives initiative. As an entrepreneurial advisor who is formally trained in psychology, management, and public policy, Serena has developed a dynamic, multidisciplinary practice focused on innovation, value creation and problem solving in highly-regulated, fast-paced industries. Within EIPAF, Serena's practice focuses on advising clients on commercial, regulatory, compliance, litigation, and enforcement issues. She has experience with a variety of clean energy technologies, including solar, onshore and offshore wind, hydroelectricity, waste-to-energy, and other advanced and evolving energy technologies. Serena counsels developers, sponsors, utilities, independent power producers, pipelines, natural gas distribution companies and other energy industry participants on compliance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations, cross-border and multijurisdictional regulatory matters, and advises them on project development, drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, mergers and acquisitions, dispute resolution, and state regulatory compliance.
Serena advises clients on proposed energy market transactions and trading strategies to avoid or mitigate enforcement risk from FERC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), state public utility commissions (PUCs), and regional transmission organization (RTO/ISO) market monitors. Serena represents clients before various federal and state agencies while counseling them in high-stakes non-public and public audits, investigations, and enforcement proceedings. Serena also serves as Co-Chair for the American Bar Association (ABA) Environmental & Energy Litigation Committee.
Serena also advises clients on a broad range of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG), Sustainability, and cutting-edge Energy Transition matters that span the broad universe of pipes and wires, energy security, and net-zero targets. Serena serves as Co-Chair for the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN) Global ESG Task Force.
Prior to Serena's promotion to partner, Chambers USA twice ranked her has an Associate to Watch in Nationwide Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation). Likewise, prior to her promotion to partner, Serena was twice recognized by the Legal 500 as a "Rising Star" in USA Energy Regulation: Conventional Power. Twice, prior to Serena's promotion to partner, she was named by the Best Lawyers In America to the Ones to Watch list. Serena's other legal honors and recognitions include: The National Bar Association Nation's Best Advocates Top 40 Under 40 Award (2023); Chambers USA: Up & Coming (2022, 2023); Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch (2023); Thomson Reuters, Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2017-2023); and the National Black Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40 (2020-2023).
Serena was named Energy, Natural Resources and Mining Lawyer of the Year by the Women in Business Law Awards (2023), Rising Star Partner by IFLR1000 North America for Energy: Project Development (2023), and is a Lawdragon Leading U.S. Energy Lawyer (2023).
In addition to her renewables, energy transition and ESG practice, Serena also maintains a robust pro bono practice where she advises non-profit organizations and minority-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs; represents veterans in appeals before the Board of Veteran's Appeals; and leads other advocacy and public policy-focused projects in connection with women's, civil and human rights issues. Serena is an active member of the White & Case Racial Justice Task Force and holds several non-profit Board leadership roles throughout the Washington, DC community. Serena is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Boston
Experience
Representation of TotalEnergies Renewables USA in its acquisition from Austin, Texas-based Core Solar, LLC of 4GW of utility-scale solar and energy storage development projects across several U.S. states and power markets.
Advised TC Energy Corporation (TSX, NYSE: TRP) on its plan to spin off its Liquids Pipelines business. TC Energy plans to separate into two independent, investment-grade, publicly-listed companies through the spinoff of TC Energy's Liquids Pipelines business. The transaction is anticipated to be completed on a tax-free basis in the second half of 2024.
Advised Clean Energy Future- Trumbull, LLC and its affiliated entities in connection with financing the construction of an approximately 950 MW natural gas-fired electric combined-cycle power generation facility located in the Village of Lordstown, Trumbull County, Ohio for an expected total cost of approximately US$1.3 billion.
Representation of Onward Energy, a portfolio company of J.P. Morgan Asset Management Infrastructure Investments Group, in its acquisition of two combined-cycle, gas-fired power generation facilities located in South Carolina and Maryland.
Representation of U.S.-based university in the formation of a comprehensive energy management program worth approximately $1.165 billion in connection with the concession for its energy and water systems in a public-private partnership (P3).*
Representation of investment company in connection with obtaining FERC approvals and other energy regulatory submittals for the company’s asset acquisition of a portfolio of six generating plants with a combined generation capacity of 972.5 MW.*
Representation of energy holding company in preparation of FERC regulatory submittals, including Federal Power Act Section 203 authorization, for the revised stock-for-stock merger of equals transaction creating a company with a combined equity value of approximately $14 billion, and with nearly 13,000 MW of generation capacity and more than 51,000 miles of distribution lines.*
Representation of multinational utility company in energy regulatory matters and related assignments (before the FERC and the FCC) regarding its sale of 1.2 GW of pumped storage hydro assets and 0.2 GW of conventional hydro assets.*
Representation of holding company and project company in connection with regulatory matters for $1.3 billion project financing and equity arrangements for the construction of a 1,182 MW combined-cycle natural gas electric generating facility.*
Representation of a leading independent solar asset manager and developer and a Fortune 100 financial services and property & casualty company in launching a joint venture with the objective of acquiring, developing, building, and owning several hundred MWs of utility and commercial solar assets throughout the United States.*
Representation of a power trader in a FERC Enforcement investigation into whether the trader's physical and financial natural gas trades violated FERC's anti-manipulation rule. After extensive discovery and preliminary findings, FERC declined to take action against the trader.*
Representation of natural gas traders, power traders, and other market participants in FERC and CFTC market manipulation investigations.*
Representation of market participants in inquiries led by FERC Enforcement's Division of Analytics and Surveillance.*
Provided anti-market manipulation and FERC and CFTC compliance training to natural gas and power traders, generators, and natural gas pipelines.*
Representation of natural gas and power market participants in connection with FERC self-reports.*
Representation of electric utilities in the negotiation of settlements in FERC transmission rate cases. The matters represented comprehensive settlements of highly-contested rate issues, including return on equity, tax issues, and the protocols governing annual rate adjustments. Represented the utilities’ successful transition from stated rates to forward-looking formula transmission rates.*
Representation of companies in successfully obtaining Department of Energy electricity export authorizations for Canada and Mexico.*
Representation of public utility operating in the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. ("SPP") in connection with rate approvals for the utility's first-owned wind generation facility. Advised on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") cost-based rate issues, including accounting for Production Tax Credits ("PTCs") earned by the utility for energy produced by the project.*
Representation of public utility engaged in the production and sale of electricity in Canada, the U.S., and Australia, including serving as FERC counsel advising on regulatory, compliance, and rates-related issues for a portfolio of U.S.-based wind generation facilities owned and operated by the utility.*
*Matters prior to joining White & Case
Panelist, "The First-Gen Legal Job Search and Success Guide: Planning and Strategizing Your Legal Career to Set Yourself Up for Success Before You Start Law School." The National HBCU Pre-Law Summit & Law Expo (Washington, DC, September 23, 2023)
Panelist, "Energy Transition: Legal Issues." FIA Forum: Commodities 2023 (Houston, September 14, 2023)
Keynote Speaker, "Energy Transition and Why It Matters for Your Business — Beyond the Pipes & Wires." National Bar Association (NBA), 98th Annual Convention (Minneapolis, August 2, 2023)
Moderator, "Action in ESG or Backlash?" Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN) International Energy Summit (Miami, June 1, 2023)
Table Host, "Inaugural Women in Energy Networking Breakfast," Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN) International
Energy Summit (Miami, May 31, 2023)
Speaker, "Energy Transition: COP & Industry Impact – Changing US Regulation," White & Case LLP COP27 Video Series (November 21, 2022)
Virtual Fireside Chat, "Ready for Renewables: FERC and PJM Target Interconnection Queue Reforms," White & Case LLP Annual Energy Seminar (Virtual, November 15, 2022)
Keynote Address, "Harnessing Your Personal Power and Community to Write Your Success Story," Exelon Corporation, Network of Exelon Women's 9th Annual Fall Conference (Baltimore Gas & Electric Chapter) (October 18, 2022)
Speaker, "Table for Six: Careers in Energy," Duke University School of Law (Durham, September 22, 2022)
Moderator, "Closing Argument: Winning the Battle of the Boardroom," Hart Energy, Energy ESG Conference (Houston, September 8, 2022)
Speaker, "Table for Six: ESG and Sustainability-Focused Business Connections," Duke University (DC, April 6, 2022)
Virtual Panelist, "Women in Energy," Duke University Energy Initiative (April 6, 2022)
Panelist, "Working in a Remote World," Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys (LIWOCA) (Atlanta, March 24, 2022)
Virtual Panel, "Meet the Experts: Careers in Energy Law," Energy Bar Association, Northeast Chapter (March 22, 2022)
Panelist, "Capital and Climate: The Impact of ESG on the Energy Industry and the Role of Regulators and Ratings Agencies," Energy Bar Association, Northeast Chapter Annual Meeting and Conference (Boston, June 8, 2022)
Lecturer, Energy Law Academy 201: Energy Finance, "Regulatory Implications of Financing Structures," Energy Bar Association (June 3, 2022)
Virtual panel "ESG Reporting, Investing, Litigation and Shareholder Activism: What Lies Ahead," American Bar Association (March 10, 2022)
Virtual panel "Best Practices in Board Recruitment," The Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington (February 24, 2022)
Virtual panel "How ESG Can Be a Source of Competitiveness," Wake Forest University School of Business and Graduate Program in Sustainability (February 10, 2022)
Podcast, "Empowering Women Experiencing Homelessness and Leading with Intention," Madam Policy (January 4, 2022)
The Silent "G" in ESG: How is DEI Being Incorporated into Governance as Companies Renew Their Focus on ESG, Energy Bar Association (October 12, 2021)
FERC Enforcement: Recent Developments & What Lies Ahead in a New Administration, Energy Bar Association (June 15, 2021)
The Future of ESG Reporting and Investing, Duke Houston Alumni Association (June 2, 2021)
Making the Most of a Virtual Start, Duke University School of Law, Alumnae Leadership Council (December 2, 2020)
A Year Unlike Any Other – 2020 and Women in the Workplace, DukeDC (October 14, 2020)
Refugee Entrepreneurship, Business Ownership, and the Right to Work in Host Communities, Tent Partnership For Refugees with the Thomson Reuters Foundation (September 22, 2020)
Share the Mic: Diversity in the Energy Field, Association of Energy Engineers and American Association of Blacks in Energy (August 29, 2020)
The Business Benefit of Diversity and Inclusion, Energy Bar Association (October 15, 2019)
Guest Professor, "Concurrent Policy and Regulatory Issues," The Transmission Business School (May 2, 2017)
"Regulatory convergence of the Inflation Reduction Act and international subsidiary models," Petroleum Economist Outlook 2024, December 2023 (co-author)
Hydrogen Hub Projects Awarded $7 Billion by US Department of Energy, White & Case Alert (October 13, 2023)
"Electricity Regulation (USA)," Getting The Deal Through published by Lexology, February 2023 (co-author)
"Excelling as an Energy Associate: Tips for Ensuring You're Indispensable," American Bar Association, Environmental & Energy Litigation Committee (Dec. 3, 2021)
"What We Learned From Barclays Market Manipulation Case," Law360 (Dec. 7, 2017)
"Newly Affirmed FERC Approves Nearly $12M Anti-Manipulation Settlement," Electric Light & Power (Aug. 25, 2017)
"Another Victory for Defendants' Rights in FERC Case, Legal Firm Writes," Electric Light & Power (May 23, 2017)
"Time For FERC To Re-Examine Its Hydropower License Policy," Law360 (May 3, 2017)
"California Ruling Gives Discovery Hope to Challengers of FERC Rulings," Electric Light & Power (April 13, 2017)
"Another Year of Enforcement at FERC and CFTC," Law360 (Jan. 5, 2017)
"FERC Denies Request for Discovery by Respondent in FERC Enforcement Case," Electric Light & Power (May 12, 2016)
Oil & Gas Investor "Influential Women in Energy" Honoree (2023)
Energy Bar Association, Inaugural Rising Star in Energy Award (2023)
Duke University Alumni Association, Forever Duke Award (2023)
Women in Business Law Awards, Energy Natural Resources and Mining Lawyer of the Year (2023)
Lawdragon 500, Leading U.S. Energy Lawyer (2023 – 2024)
IFLR1000 North America, Rising Star Partner, Energy: Project Development (2023)
National Bar Association, Top 40 Under 40 Nations Best Advocates (2023)
Chambers and Partners, Chambers USA, USA – Nationwide Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation) (2023)
Chambers and Partners, Chambers USA, USA – Nationwide Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation) (2022)
The Legal 500 US, Rising Star – Energy Regulation: Conventional Energy (2022)
Chambers and Partners, Chambers USA, USA – Nationwide Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation): Associate to Watch (2021)
The Legal 500 US, Rising Star – Energy Regulation: Conventional Energy (2021)
Thomson Reuters, Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2017 – 2023)
National Black Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40 (2020 – 2023)
The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch (2021-2024)
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, 2021 Fellow
Co-Chair, Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), Global ESG Task Force
Immediate Past President, Washington, DC Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy
Co-Chair, American Bar Association, Environmental & Energy Litigation Committee
Diversity & Inclusion Task Force, Energy Bar Association
Director, Energy Bar Association, Northeast Chapter Board of Directors
Officer, Energy Bar Association, Electricity Steering Committee
Immediate Past Chair, Energy Bar Association, Young Lawyers Council
Inaugural Councilmember, Duke University School of Law Alumnae Leadership Council
Co-Chair, DukeDC Regional Board of Directors
Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors, Calvary Women's Services
