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
Press Releases
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