
Sa is a highly skilled and versatile business counselor who advises companies, boards, entrepreneurs, investment banks, and venture and private equity investors, as they build and grow companies. He handles public offerings, SPAC transactions, 144A and private financings, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. Sa guides public and private companies and investors, primarily in the energy and sustainability, technology, materials science, hospitality, retail, and life sciences industries. Known as a problem-solver, Sa executes transactions with creative structures to address new opportunities in finance and development of new markets by clients in partnership with global corporations. He also helps entrepreneurs secure financing, commercial agreements, and partnerships.
Sa represents emerging growth and established energy technology, information technology, life sciences, and retail companies; investors and investment banks in public offerings; SPAC transactions; 144A offerings and other private financings; mergers & acquisitions; joint ventures; and strategic partnerships. Sa is listed among the Top 100 Cleantech & Renewables Lawyers by Euromoney’s LMG Cleantech & Renewable Energy. He was also named a Massachusetts Super Lawyer in 2014 and every year since.
Sa is a senior member of the firm’s Securities Practice Group and Technology Practice Group and serves as Co-chair of the firm's Energy & Sustainability Practice. The firm’s Energy & Sustainability Practice has completed more than 500 transactions across energy sectors totaling over $10 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.
Sa has worked on a wide variety of capital-raising projects, including equity, debt, syndicated loan, strategic investment, and structured finance offerings, with aggregate proceeds of more than $10.6 billion. He has extensive experience in corporate finance and securities law as well as mergers and acquisitions. Sa represents issuers, underwriters, initial purchasers, and placement agents in public and private equity offerings, debt offerings (particularly high-yield, but also investment grade), bank financings, leveraged buyouts, securitizations, and related transactions as well as private equity funds in leveraged buyouts. He is also a key contributor to MintzEdge, an online resource for entrepreneurs that includes useful tools and information for starting and growing a company.
Sa has an MBA in corporate finance and focuses on adding value in complex financing structures and helping younger companies navigate the challenges of the public and private markets. He handles projects in a broad range of sectors, including energy and clean technology, information technology, telecommunications, materials technology, biotech, aerospace, semiconductor, retail, and hospitality. He also has extensive international experience — he previously practiced in New York, Tokyo, and Hong Kong and now works from the Boston office of Mintz. He has represented clients in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere.
Sa is a highly skilled and versatile business counselor who advises companies, boards, entrepreneurs, investment banks, and venture and private equity investors, as they build and grow companies. He handles public offerings, SPAC transactions, 144A and private financings, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. Sa guides public and private companies and investors, primarily in the energy and sustainability, technology, materials science, hospitality, retail, and life sciences industries. Known as a problem-solver, Sa executes transactions with creative structures to address new opportunities in finance and development of new markets by clients in partnership with global corporations. He also helps entrepreneurs secure financing, commercial agreements, and partnerships.
Experience
- Represented Gradiant, a leading global end-to-end cleantech water treatment solutions provider and project developer in its $100M+ Series C funding.
- Represented WAVE Equity Partners in their investment in a tankless water heater company focused on residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
- Represented Spring Lane Capital in the equity investment into a “green” Data Center complex powered by wind farm under a unique structure permitting the addition of subsequent projects that share power and common facilities.
- Represented XL Fleet (NYSE: XL), a leader in vehicle electrification solutions for commercial and municipal fleets, in its completed merger with SPAC Pivotal Investment Corporation II, a special purpose acquisition company. XL Fleet’s market capitalization as of the close of trading on the NYSE on the date of closing was over $2 billion. The deal delivered $380 million of gross proceeds, including a $150 million PIPE investment and an additional $230 million of proceeds from the Pivotal trust.
- Advised underwriters of $207 million SPAC IPO (initial public offering) of Environmental Impact Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of Canaccord Genuity.
- Represented Aspen Aerogels, a developer of energy infrastructure and electric vehicle battery technologies, in connection with an at-the-market (ATM) offering of up to approximately $35 million.
- Represented Nuvve Holding Corp. in its $14M registered direct offering with Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC acting as placement agent.
- Represented a Boston-based leader in vehicle electrification solutions for commercial and municipal fleets in its merger with a special purpose acquisition company and associated public company filing requirements post-closing.
- Represented Aspen Aerogels, Inc. in its $150M at-the-market offering with Cowen and Company, LLC and Piper Sandler & Co. as sales agents.
- Represented Aspen Aerogels, Inc. in its $275M public offering underwritten by Cowen and Company, LLC and Barclays Capital Inc.
- Represented electronic manufacturing services business in sale to private equity firm.
- Represented InfraRed Capital Partners in establishing energy storage company, Hectate Grid, a joint venture with Hectate Energy.
- Represented NYSE-listed Aspen Aerogels in its strategic partnership with BASF.
- Represented Spring Lane Capital in its investment in Aries Clean Energy.
- Represented Edenred North America, a subsidiary of Euronext-listed Edenred SA, in establishing NutriSavings joint venture.
- Represented Nasdaq-Listed The ONE Group Hospitality in its proposed acquisitions to purchase additional restaurant brands.
- Represented NBD Nanotechnologies in joint development agreements and Series A and Series B financings.
- Represented industrial wastewater treatment and desalination provider Gradiant Corporation in establishing a standalone oilfield services company with Turnbridge Capital.
- Represented WAVE Equity Partners in its investments in American Aerogel, Lionano, Heatworks, Intellihot, CHASM and Living Greens Farm.
- Represented SSC Venture Partners in forming its first fund.
- Represented GreatPoint Energy in its $1.25 billion financing and joint venture with China-based Wanxiang Holdings; selected as Greentech Media’s Deal of the Year.
- Represented Aspen Aerogels in its $82.5 million IPO on the NYSE.
- Represented EnerNOC, Inc. in its IPO and follow-on offerings ($97 million, $108 million, and $97 million, respectively)
- Represented the underwriters in the IPO of Ameresco on the NYSE.
- Served as counsel to Canaccord Genuity and Barclays in follow-on public offering of BioAmber.
- Represented Nasdaq-listed The ONE Group Hospitality in rights offering, registered direct offering, and debt financings.
- Represented significant minority holder in global retail business.
- Advised ACE Surgical Supply in its strategic arrangements with NYSE-listed Henry Schein.
- Represented underwriters in the IPO of Dicerna Pharmaceuticals.
- Served as counsel to Canaccord Genuity in $32.5 and $37.4 million follow-on public offerings for Rubicon Technology.
- Represented e-commerce platform Blueport Commerce in financing and partnership matters.
- Represented Canaccord in Televent GIT, S.A. follow-on public offerings ($66 million and $115 million, respectively).
- Represented data analytics company Resilient Ops in its Seed Financing.
- Represented ChyronHego in its acquisition of Dutch broadcast software solutions provider VidiGo.
- Represented FalconAI in its formation and Seed Financing.
- Represented underwriters in 144A offering by a casino company.
- Represented C&S Wholesale Grocers in its 144A offering of $400 million senior secured notes.
- Represented underwriters in private placements by US national retail chain.
viewpoints
Energy & Sustainability Event Highlights — August & September 2023
August 29, 2023 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli
Energy & Sustainability Client Feature — August 2023
August 29, 2023 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli
Energy & Sustainability M&A Activity — August 2023
August 29, 2023 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli
Energy & Sustainability Connections Newsletter — August 2023
August 29, 2023 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli
Energy & Sustainability M&A Activity — July 2023
July 25, 2023 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli
Energy & Sustainability Connections Newsletter — July 2023
July 25, 2023 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli
Energy & Sustainability Event Highlights — July & August 2023
July 25, 2023 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli
Energy & Sustainability Client Feature — July 2023
July 25, 2023 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli
Energy & Sustainability Event Highlights — June & July 2023
June 29, 2023 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli
Energy & Sustainability Connections Newsletter — June 2023
June 29, 2023 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli
News & Press
Mintz’s Commitment to Energy Transition Underscored by Roles on $4.6 Billion in Deals
March 22, 2023
Two Mintz Members Named ‘Top Authors’ By JD Supra
March 06, 2023
Mintz Named Top Firm in Energy and Eleven Attorneys Featured in JD Supra’s 2017 Reader’s Choice Awards
March 20, 2017
Eighty-Four Mintz Attorneys Named 2016 Massachusetts Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
October 18, 2016
Mintz Members Thomas R. Burton III and Sahir Surmeli to Judge 2016 Cleantech Open Northeast Regional Finals
October 17, 2016
Mintz Advises on Top Greentech Deal of 2012
January 08, 2013
Events & Speaking
Mintz's Second Annual Energy Transition Summit
Catalyzing the Energy Transition Through Investment, Innovation, and Adoption
40th Floor Conference Center, Mintz

Received COVID-19 Funding? How to Mitigate and Respond to Enforcement Risks and Government Actions
View the Webinar Recording

Powering Up Indoor Farming
CleanTechIQ
Wells Fargo Learning Center, 150 E 42nd St., New York, NY 10017
Sa is a highly skilled and versatile business counselor who advises companies, boards, entrepreneurs, investment banks, and venture and private equity investors, as they build and grow companies. He handles public offerings, SPAC transactions, 144A and private financings, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. Sa guides public and private companies and investors, primarily in the energy and sustainability, technology, materials science, hospitality, retail, and life sciences industries. Known as a problem-solver, Sa executes transactions with creative structures to address new opportunities in finance and development of new markets by clients in partnership with global corporations. He also helps entrepreneurs secure financing, commercial agreements, and partnerships.
Recognition & Awards
- The Social Shake-Up: Movers and Shakers Award (2018)
- JD Supra: Top Author, Readers' Choice Awards – Defense & Space (2017), Construction (2017), and Energy (2017, 2019, 2023), M&A (2022)
- Euromoney’s LMG Cleantech & Renewable Energy: Top 100 Lawyers in CleanTech
- Euromoney’s LMG Cleantech & Renewable Energy: Top 10 Clean Technology and Renewables Law Firm
- Watershed Capital Group: #2 US Clean Technology law firm
- Wunder Capital: 100 People Shaping Cleantech on Twitter (2015)
- Included on the Massachusetts Super Lawyers list: Securities & Corporate Finance; Energy & Resources (2014 – 2020)
- Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce: Boston's Future Leaders (2008)
Sa is a highly skilled and versatile business counselor who advises companies, boards, entrepreneurs, investment banks, and venture and private equity investors, as they build and grow companies. He handles public offerings, SPAC transactions, 144A and private financings, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. Sa guides public and private companies and investors, primarily in the energy and sustainability, technology, materials science, hospitality, retail, and life sciences industries. Known as a problem-solver, Sa executes transactions with creative structures to address new opportunities in finance and development of new markets by clients in partnership with global corporations. He also helps entrepreneurs secure financing, commercial agreements, and partnerships.
Involvement
- Member, Innovation Task Force of the Northeast Clean Energy Council
- Member, MIT Energy Club
- Judge, Cleantech Open Northeast Regional Finals (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
- Judge and Mentor Committee member, Ignite Clean Energy: MIT Enterprise Forum Business Plan Competition (2007, 2008, 2009)
