As Chair of his law firm’s Energy & Sustainability Practice, Tom Burton’s zeal for innovation and passion for energy and sustainability have shaped the clean energy industry. He created one of the US’s first clean energy legal practices.
Tom’s global practice focuses on complex corporate finance matters including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, private equity, and securities transactions. He represents high-growth and emerging businesses, including companies in the energy and clean technology, social media and software industries, as well as life science companies, from start-ups to public companies.
In 2004, Tom founded, and currently chairs, the firm’s Energy & Sustainability Practice, which has completed more than 500 transactions across energy sectors totaling over $8.5 billion since 2006. Serving more than 250 clients, spanning the ecosystem from emerging companies to large corporations, venture capital and private equity funds, investment banks, project developers, and family offices, the firm is recognized nationally as a leading law firm in the space. Tom is ranked by Best Lawyers in America in the Corporate Law section, and he is recognized by The Legal 500 United States as “rising to the fore” in energy technology for Venture Capital and Emerging Companies.
On the corporate and securities side, Tom has served as counsel in the structuring and completion of over 400 venture capital and private equity financings, representing both the funds providing the capital and the emerging growth companies seeking funding. His work in this area has raised billions of dollars. He organizes venture capital funds and represents them in their portfolio investments. Tom is also a key contributor to MintzEdge, an online resource for entrepreneurs that includes useful tools and information for starting and growing a company. In addition, he devotes a portion of his practice to counseling social enterprise companies, impact investors, and nonprofit companies.
Tom routinely counsels businesses on their growth and development, advises their boards of directors on corporate governance matters, and participates in an array of transactions, from private and public offerings to mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and technology transfer matters. Tom also has experience in advising investment banks in private placements and underwritten public offerings of equity securities, and in their role as financial advisor in mergers and acquisitions.
He applies his background in corporate finance to counsel energy and clean technology companies through all stages of formation, financing, and exits. His energy and clean technology clients span markets such as solar and wind, smart grid and energy efficiency, energy storage, water technologies, waste treatment, biofuels, electric vehicles, and green buildings.
3 Key Points
- Attitudes towards impact-focused businesses have changed, even in the energy industry.
- Try on the styles of leaders around you.
- Inclusiveness isn’t just for success: it’s the right thing to do.
Quote
“We only get one shot. With that one shot, how are you going to make a difference at the end of the day? Can you leave the world better than when you entered it?”
What We Talked About
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- 01:18 – How do you serve so many different industries at once?
- 03:14 – How do you promote social innovation?
- 07:19 – Discussing global social innovation
- 09:20 – Why do you work with oil & gas tech while pursuing clean energy?
- 12:02 – How do you define impact capital?
- 17:51 – Why is having impact important to you?
- 19:08 – Inclusiveness: What was the vision for the “She’s the Boss” event?
- 22:26 – What are the traits and practices of an impactful leader?
- 26:12 – How have you developed your leadership skills?
- 29:43 – On moving past fear and pursuing passion
- 31:49 – What draws you to the entrepreneurial aspect of your practice?
- 35:18 – On blockchain/peer-to-peer energy transfer and the future of the grid
Actionable Tips
- Identify the one thing you can be the most excellent at.
- Focus on your goal every day without slipping.
- Commit yourself to becoming a leader.
Resources Mentioned
- Reach out to Tom by email.
- Mintz Energy & Sustainability
- New England Aquarium’s conservation programs
Resources for Your Business
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Ursula Jorch, Host of The Impact Interviews
Ursula Jorch is a business coach, speaker, and podcaster who shows women leaders how to turn their businesses into profitable agents for lasting change, global impact, and a force for good in the world.
