Overview

Derek Zha is an associate in Stoel Rives’ Corporate group. He counsels clients on mergers and acquisitions, project finance, corporate governance, and pre-merger antitrust regulatory compliance.

Education

University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 2020; Managing Editor, Minnesota Journal of International Law

Washington University School of Law, LL.M., 2014

East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai, China, LL.B.

Admissions

Minnesota

New York

Languages

  • Mandarin

Experience

  • Representation of parties to various tax equity and debt financing transactions in domestic wind and solar energy generating assets under development across dozens of states. 
  • Representation of buyers and sellers in the acquisition, development, and sale of solar energy generation projects throughout the U.S. 
  • Advising regarding DIF Capital Partner’s acquisition of a majority interest of Green Street Power Partners, a developer, financier, owner, and operator of over 300 MW of distributed generation solar projects in the U.S. 
  • Representation of a leading manufacturer and distributor of millwork solutions in its strategic acquisition of substantially all assets of a premier two-step distributor of moulding, millwork, and door products across the Southwest U.S. 
  • Representation of Hardwoods Distribution Inc. (TSX: HDI) in its acquisition of a leading U.S. distributor of architectural grade building products. 
  • Representation of a private equity firm in its control equity investment in a U.S. market-leading manufacturer of wild bird feed with a national footprint. 
  • Counsel to Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE: LAD) in its acquisitions and sales of automobile dealerships. 
  • Counsel to companies in filings to the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission for antitrust review of mergers and acquisitions under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

Insights

Insights & Presentations

  • “The Wall on Trade: Reconsidering the Boundary of National Security under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962,” 29 MINN. J. INT’L L. 229

Recognition

  • Recipient, Stoel Rives LLP Andrew Guy Pro Bono Award, 2022

Affiliations

Professional

  • Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
  • Member, Hennepin County Bar Association

Civic

  • Mentor and Representative, Emerging Leaders Group, Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, 2021–present
  • Executive Board Member, UMN Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, 2019–2020
  • Volunteer Attorney, LegalCORPS
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