Pillsbury partner Thomas Gump advises on corporate and finance matters, including debt and equity financings, M&A, and other strategic transactions, with special focus on energy, financial services and technology sectors.

The leader of Pillsbury’s San Francisco Finance practice, Tom has provided counseling, structuring, negotiating and deal management guidance to project sponsors, cash equity investors, tax equity investors and project finance lenders on energy project development and finance matters involving conventional and non-carbon-based lines of fuel for nearly 25 years. He has also served as lead counsel on complex M&As, stock and asset purchases, joint venture formations and private resales of restricted securities.

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In the area of debt and equity finance, Tom regularly represents U.S.-based and international financial institutions and their borrowers. He has closed deals valued up to $19 billion, including secured and unsecured commercial loans, leveraged and unleveraged equipment leases, structured finance transactions, project financings, tax equity financings, leveraged buyouts, mezzanine and syndicated loans, trade finance facilities and other matters governed by the Uniform Commercial Code.

Representative Experience

  • Represented a super-major oil company in connection with the formation and capitalization of a joint venture to conduct oil drilling and exploration activities in the former Soviet Union.
  • Advised leading operator of renewable energy electric power generating facilities in connection with the disposition by auction of a multijurisdictional portfolio of wind farms.
  • Represented leading operator of renewable energy, electric power-generating facilities in a non-recourse project financing of a portfolio of solar farms, including term loan, letter of credit and tax credit monetization tranches.

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  • Represented company in organization and capitalization, including the issuance of $65 million in Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Series C Preferred Stock, and $45 million in equipment leases.
  • Represented General Electric Capital Corp. in connection with the restructuring of its equity and debt interests in the EcoElectrica liquefied natural gas plant in Puerto Rico.
  • Represented a corporate venture fund in connection with its purchase of $10 million of Series D Preferred Stock issued by a carbon capture and pollution control solutions company.
  • Represented a leading developer and operator of solar installation in the United States in connection with the non-recourse financing of new facility upgrade.
  • Represented a global energy concern in connection with $100 million in new credit facilities for the expansion of refining capacity related to its Asian operations.
  • Represented a global energy concern in connection with its equity ownership in a fuel cell joint venture, including the subsequent sale of the joint venture to an industry acquirer.
  • Represented angel investors in connection with early-stage investments in alternative building materials, solar heating and biomass startup companies.

Professional Highlights

  • Before joining Pillsbury, worked at Siemens, A.G. headquarters in Munich, Germany, advising on business aspects of raising debt and equity financing for new telecommunications ventures in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
  • Served as chair of the California State Bar’s Commercial Transactions (formerly UCC) Committee. Serves on the California State Bar’s Business Law Section Executive Committee.
  • Chairs Pillsbury’s Opinions committee.

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  • While a U.S. Court of Federal Claims clerk, assisted regarding successful law reform efforts that resulted in passage of federal legislation to consolidate bid protest jurisdiction in the court.
  • Honors & Awards
    • Member of the Projects Team, Ranked in IJ Global – Three Top 20 League Tables for First of 2017 in North America (including Project Finance, Infrastructure Finance and Power Infrastructure Finance).
    • Recognized by The Legal 500 U.S., Energy: Renewable/Alternative (2018) and Project Finance (2018 – 2019).
  • Associations
    • Robert Bosch Foundation Fellow, 1995 – 1996
    • Robert Bosch Foundation Fellow Alumni Organization, 1996 – present
  • Speaking Engagements
    • “Revised Article 9 of the UCC: A Look Back at the First Two Years,” American Bar Association Annual Meeting, August 10, 2003.
    • “California Secured Transactions under Revised Division 9 of the California Commercial Code,” Santa Clara Bar Association, May 6, 2003.

Education

  • J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1992

    B.A., Georgetown University, 1989
    magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa

Admissions

  • California

    New York

    District of Columbia

Clerkships

  • Law clerk to Chief Judge Loren A. Smith, U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Languages

  • German