Dan Howard focuses his practice on energy and resources law with an emphasis on electricity, gas, mining, water, and utilities projects. He has been involved in the development of some of Australia's largest electricity, renewables, gas, and mining projects as well as numerous acquisitions and sales of electricity, gas, mining, and infrastructure projects. Dan advises companies on project development, regulatory issues, commodity contracts, and infrastructure arrangements including port and rail, and he is consistently recognized by clients and independent directories for his work, including multiple listings in Australian Financial Review's Best Lawyers.
Dan regularly acts for companies on renewable energy projects to secure carbon pollution reduction through renewable energy sources. This work includes renewable project development for wind, solar, hydro, and battery storage. Dan has in-depth knowledge of the electricity industry in Australia and the rules governing the industry that help clients to navigate complex regulatory approvals and to achieve compliant structuring. He has extensive experience in all forms of renewable electricity offtake arrangements including arrangements that involve energy storage.
Prior to joining Jones Day, Dan acted on many projects such as the acquisition of the US$2.2 billion Kestrel coking coal mine; advised on and negotiated rail joint venture arrangements between two coal mine joint ventures that included finding solutions to the complex cross security issues that were acceptable to all parties; and advised on solar and wind farm projects, including for the Brisbane Airport Corporation and various state governments.
Dan has written and presented on climate change, renewable energy, electricity networks, greenhouse gas emissions, ESG (environmental, social, and governance), and underground gas storage.
Experience
- Queensland University of Technology (Bachelor of Laws 1995; Bachelor of Civil Engineering 1990)
- Queensland, High Court of Australia, and Federal Court of Australia
Chambers Asia-Pacific: ranked in energy & natural resources: utilities, where clients value him as an adviser with "a very good eye for detail, who understands high-level concepts," characterizing him as "extremely responsive, with a tireless commitment to securing the best results"
Leading lawyer: Who's Who Legal, Best Lawyers in Australia, and Doyle's Guide
Recommended by Legal 500 in energy (transactions and regulatory) and natural resources (transactions and regulatory)