John Donovan is an associate in the Finance Department of Morrison & Foerster’s Tokyo Office where his practice focuses on a variety of acquisition and project finance transactions, including representing lenders, project sponsors and construction contractors in connection with the development and financing of infrastructure projects around the world.
Prior to joining Morrison & Foerster, Mr. Donovan spent nine years working as a project manager, engineer and technical consultant on numerous projects in Japan and the United States for clients in the automotive, high technology and health care industries. He also served in the United States Marine Corps for six years on a variety of assignments, including tours of duty in the Middle East, Africa and East Asia.
Mr. Donovan received his B.A. degree in Japanese Studies from the University of California, San Diego, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and obtained his J.D. and certificate in Pacific Asian Legal Studies from the University of Hawaii William S. Richardson School of Law, where he served as the Editor in Chief of the Asian-Pacific Law and Policy Journal from 2007 - 2008.
Mr. Donovan’s recent representative transactions include:
- Representing Mitsui & Co., Ltd. in its agreement with GDF SUEZ Canada Inc., part of the global energy group GDF SUEZ S.A., to participate in a set of Canadian renewable energy power generation projects valued in excess of C$2 billion composed of 10 wind farms totaling 660 MW and 2 solar photovoltaic power plants totaling 20MW of generation capacity.
- Representing The Carlyle Group in the LBO financing for its acquisition from private equity firm Sun Capital Partners of Walbro Engine Management, the world’s largest manufacturer of carburetors and a major manufacturer of fuel and air management components used in outdoor power equipment. The multi-jurisdictional deal involved Japan, U.S., Mexico, Thailand, China, Italy, The Netherlands and Switzerland.
- Representing Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Corporation in a $320 million junior facility provided by a group of commercial banks that received the benefit of a JOGMEC guaranty. The junior facility is being used by such entities to provide sponsor funding for the development of a large copper and molybdenum mine under development in the Sierra Gorda district of Chile.
- Representing EDF Renewable Energy (formerly enXco Development Corp.) in its acquisition of Spinning Spur Wind Project from Cielo Wind Services, Inc. The Spinning Spur Wind Project is an early stage wind powered electric generating project located in Texas that is expected to produce at least 161 MW of energy following the development and construction of the approximately $300 million project.
- Representing SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile (a joint venture between Pan Pacific Copper Co. and Mitsui & Co., Ltd.) in the $1.4 billion limited recourse project financing for the development of the Caserones Copper and Molybdenum Mining Project in Chile.
- Representing Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. in their sale of part of their economic stake in five gas-fired combined cycle power stations in Mexico with an aggregate total generating capacity of 2,233MW and a related gas pipeline company to Chubu Electric and Tohoku Electric.
- Representing Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation in connection with various aspects of its Mitsubishi Regional Jet program, including the definitive agreements to sell 50 firm and 50 optional aircraft to U.S. regional carrier Trans States Holdings.
- Representing Sumitomo Corporation in its $1.9 billion acquisition of a 30% stake in an iron ore unit of Brazilian steelmaker Usiminas Siderurgicas de Minas Gerais S.A.