Thomas R. Burton, III
Member / Chair, Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Practice
+1.617.348.3097
Tom’s zeal for innovation and passion for clean energy and sustainability have shaped the clean energy industry. He pioneered, and currently chairs, one of the nation’s first clean energy, climate, and sustainability legal practices at the turn of the century. He deploys full-scope integrated legal services for emerging companies with the project development and finance services required to scale innovative technologies and, as a result, Mintz routinely participates in “first of its kind” transactions. Clients ranging from investors like venture capital and private equity funds to entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 companies rely on Tom and his team for creative and strategic legal solutions.
Tom has led hundreds of financings, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and capital market transactions. He guides the industry’s next generation of leaders through active involvement with startup organizations and accelerators. He and his practice are Chambers ranked, with Tom being recognized as an industry-leading practitioner by Chambers USA from 2021 to the present. Tom is recognized by Legal 500 as “rising to the fore” in energy technology for venture capital and emerging companies. Tom and his team are also ranked in the Top Ten of the 100 largest law firms listed in the Law Firm Climate Change Scorecard researched by the Law Students for Climate Accountability.
In 2004, Tom founded, and currently chairs, the firm’s Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Practice, which has completed more than 800 transactions across energy sectors totaling over $40 billion over the past decade. Serving more than 250 clients, spanning the ecosystem from emerging companies to large public corporations, venture capital and private equity funds, investment banks, project developers, and family offices, Mintz is recognized nationally as a leading law firm in the space.
Tom is a leading advisor to companies and investors driving the energy transition, infrastructure development, and technology innovation. He counsels businesses and boards on strategic growth, governance, and complex transactions, including private equity and venture capital financings, M&A, and public offerings — having led more than 400 deals that raised billions of dollars. Tom partners with entrepreneurs, impact investors, and global funds, and plays a pivotal role in MintzEdge, a resource for emerging companies. Leveraging deep corporate finance expertise, he guides clients through every stage — from formation and scaling to transformative exits — across sectors such as renewable energy, energy storage, smart grid, carbon capture, water technologies, waste treatment, green buildings, and critical infrastructure projects.
Tom’s zeal for innovation and passion for clean energy and sustainability have shaped the clean energy industry. He pioneered, and currently chairs, one of the nation’s first clean energy, climate, and sustainability legal practices at the turn of the century. He deploys full-scope integrated legal services for emerging companies with the project development and finance services required to scale innovative technologies and, as a result, Mintz routinely participates in “first of its kind” transactions. Clients ranging from investors like venture capital and private equity funds to entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 companies rely on Tom and his team for creative and strategic legal solutions.
Experience
- Represented Boston Metal, a developer of Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) technology enabling zero-carbon steel production, in all of its equity financings, including its $20 million Series A led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, The Engine, and Prelude Ventures; its $50 million Series B; and its $262 million Series C led by ArcelorMittal.
- Represented S2G Investments, a multistage investment firm focused on venture, growth-equity, and growth-stage businesses across food and agriculture, oceans, and energy, in its $40 million Series B financing of Sojo Industries, an industrial automation company that utilizes robotics, mobility, and software to deliver packaging and assembly solutions to the food and beverage industry.
- Represented Activate Capital in its investments in Swimlane, Inc., Aerones, and Tomorrow.io, a $250 million weather and climate forecasting platform.
- Represented Perch Energy (f/k/a BlueWave Community Solar), a clean energy technology platform and community solar servicer, in its joint venture with Arcadia to manage 3+ GW of community solar capacity and 350,000+ subscribers across 16 states, and separately in its Series B financing led by Nuveen.
- Represented NET Power in a business combination/de-SPAC to create a $1.5 billion company with the world’s first scalable clean, reliable, low-cost natural gas-to-power solution with near zero-emissions.
- Represented Titan Advanced Energy Solutions, a battery management technology company developing systems to increase charge capacity and extend battery life, in its $10 million Series A financing led by Schneider Electric Ventures (SEV) and Energy Innovation Capital (EIC), and in its subsequent $33 million Series B financing.
- Represented Gradiant, a leading global cleantech water treatment solutions provider, in multiple financings, including its $225 million Series D led by BoltRock Holdings and Centaurus Capital.
- Represented Purpose Energy in a platform investment by Quinbrook Infrastructure committing $100 million to finance its projects.
- Represented Antora Energy in a joint venture equity investment by Australian investor Angostura Partnership in connection with a thermal batteries project.
- Represented Source Global in its acquisition of Proud Source Water, Inc. and its $130 million Series D financing led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Drawdown Fund.
- Represented ZwitterCo, Inc., a water treatment and separation solutions company, in its $33.4 million Series A financing and its $58.4 million Series B financing led by Evok Fund and DCVC.
- Represented Cultivo, a climate-focused fintech investment platform, in its $540,000 Series A financing led by MassMutual Ventures Climate Technology Fund I LP and OETF US Holdings, Inc., and its subsequent $14 million Series A financing led by MassMutual Ventures and Octopus Limited.
- Represented Mantel, a carbon capture technology company using molten borates, in its Series A investment led by Shell Ventures and ENI Next, and in a subsequent SAFE financing.
- Represented Logical Buildings, a leading smart building software and solutions company, to close a $110 million “first of its kind” energy efficiency joint venture with Keyframe Capital.
- Represented a leading clean power producer and energy storage company, in the formation of a joint venture to develop, build, own, and operate one of the first offshore wind projects in the NY Bight lease area.
- Represented BlueWave, a solar and energy storage developer, in its sale to Axium Infrastructure, an infrastructure investment management firm with a deep North American renewables portfolio.
- Represented Bank of America as lead underwriter in a $140 million public offering of Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC).
- Represented Greentech Capital Advisors Securities (now Nomura Greentech) as financial advisor to TerraForm Global with the acquisition by Brookfield Renewable Partners valued at $2.4 billion.
- Represented Aspen Aerogels in its $82.5 million Initial Public Offering.
- Represented Greentech Media, Inc. in the sale of its business to Woods Mackenzie (Verisk Analytics, Inc.).
- Represented Cambrian Innovation, Inc. in Series B preferred stock financing and sale of Pennybacker Capital of $200 million.
- Represented XL Hybrids, a hybrid vehicle company in its merger with SPAC, Pivotal Investment Corporation II (NYSE: PIC), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The combined company will be named XL Fleet and will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The merger values XL at $1 billion.
- 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 EnerNOC, Inc., now Enel X, in its IPO and follow-on offerings ($97 million, $108 million, and $97 million, respectively).
- Formation of New England Energy Innovation Collaborative (now the Northeast Clean Energy Council).
viewpoints
Power, Place & Policy: The New Rules of Data Center Development
October 9, 2026 | Webinar | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Kristopher Kirkwood, Joshua Rudin
Client Spotlight: Antora Energy Powers the Future of Industrial Energy Storage
September 10, 2026 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli
Mintz spotlights Antora Energy and its $550 million Series C financing, supporting thermal battery deployment, US manufacturing, and grid growth.
Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Connections — August 2026
August 5, 2026 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli, Jacob Hupart, John Lushetsky, Jessica L. Vaughn
Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Connections: August 2026 insights on renewable energy investment, M&A activity, regulations, and market trends.
Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Connections — July 2026
July 7, 2026 | Article | By Thomas Burton, Sahir Surmeli, Jacklyn Branby, Jacob Hupart
July 2026 Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Connections: data center deals, thermal storage, FERC ANOPR, M&A activity, and climate policy updates.
Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Connections — June 2026
June 8, 2026 | Article | By Thomas Burton, Sahir Surmeli, Sophia Goettke, Jacob Hupart, Omar Bustami
This issue of Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Connections includes energy policy news from Washington, regulatory updates, recent M&A activity, and upcoming industry events.
Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Connections — May 2026
May 5, 2026 | Article | By Thomas Burton, Sahir Surmeli, William Anderson
This issue of Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Connections includes a client spotlight on Sora Fuel, a Q&A with the Mintz Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure team, energy policy news from Washington, litigation updates, recent M&A activity, and upcoming industry events.
Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Client Feature: Sora Fuel
May 5, 2026 | Article | By Thomas Burton, Sahir Surmeli
Client spotlight: Sora Fuel, a climate tech innovator turning air into jet fuel, following its $14.6M financing to scale SAF.
Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Client Feature: Ocean Aero
April 3, 2026 | Article | By Thomas Burton, Sahir Surmeli
A spotlight on Ocean Aero, creator of an environmentally powered Autonomous Underwater and Surface Vehicle, the TRITON
Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure M&A Activity — March 2026
March 5, 2026 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli
Recent M&A activity in the sustainable energy and infrastructure spaces includes activity by GCI Megamouth, acquired by Banpu Power, and Eion, acquired by Terradot.
Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Event Highlights — March 2026
March 5, 2026 | Article | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Sahir Surmeli
March sustainable energy and infrastructure event highlights include the Infocast Solar + Wind Finance & Investment Summit, CERAWeek, and Dynamo Nightcap
News & Press
Mintz Advises Antora Energy on $550M Series C Financing to Meet Rising Energy Demand
September 03, 2026
Mintz advised Antora Energy, a leading US energy storage company, on its $550 million Series C preferred stock financing.
Five Mintz Attorneys Recognized as ‘Top Authors’ by JD Supra
February 24, 2026|
Mintz Earns ‘A’ Grade on 2025 Climate Scorecard
April 24, 2025
Mintz received an ‘A’ grade on the 2025 Law Firm Climate Change Scorecard, published by Law Students for Climate Accountability (LSCA). The LSCA releases the Scorecard annually, ranking “Vault 100” law firms based on their involvement in fossil fuel-related work over a five-year period, evaluating activity across litigation, lobbying, and transactional matters. To receive an ‘A’ grade, a firm must meet the criteria for an ‘A’ in at least one of the three categories and achieve no lower than a ‘B’ in the remaining categories.
JD Supra has recognized ten Mintz attorneys in its 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. The awards recognize attorneys and firms whose articles on the JD Supra platform were most read by C-suite executives, in-house counsel, media, and other professionals during 2024.
Mintz Represents Granata Bio Corporation in Series A+ Funding Round
January 24, 2025|
Mintz Partners with The Engine for Tough Tech Week ’24
September 24, 2024|
Mintz has earned top rankings in the 2024 edition of Legal 500 United States guide. The firm is recognized in 14 practice categories, and 72 individual attorneys are also recognized in the guide, some in more than one category. Additionally, two attorneys are featured in the "Hall of Fame," three attorneys are named "Leading Lawyers," four attorneys are recognized as a "Next Generation Lawyers" and one attorney is recognized as a "Rising Star."
Mintz Advises Cultivo in $14M Series A Funding
January 31, 2024|
AI’s Magnified Risks, Payoffs in Energy Industry Demand Vigilance
November 29, 2023|
Mintz is pleased to announce that 120 firm attorneys have been recognized as leaders by Best Lawyers® in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America©.
In Tribute To A Man Of Generous Spirit
July 7, 2023|
NPM Interconnections - Episode 69: Tom Burton
June 6, 2023|
ESG Foes In States, Congress Ready Attacks on 'Woke' ESG Investing
November 21, 2022|
Green Deals Tripled Last Year Amid Emissions Crunch
March 21, 2022|
SPACs Continue To Drive Atty Hires Despite Lull In Deals
June 9, 2021|
'Public Benefit' Corporate Model Is Making Inroads
May 17, 2021|
Has the SPAC Spigot Finally Run Dry?
April 30, 2021|
Mintz Publishes In-Depth Report Breaking Down the SPAC Surge
March 19, 2021|
Mintz Represents Boston Metal in $50 Million Series B Financing
January 13, 2021|
Mintz Advises XCM Solutions in its Sale to Wolters Kluwer
September 22, 2020|
This Time, Cleantech is Ready for Venture Capital
July 10, 2020|
5 Things To Know About $1B New England Power Line Fight
May 21, 2020|
One Hundred Mintz Attorneys Ranked as Leaders by Best Lawyers 2020
August 15, 2019|
In Spruill, aquarium has right woman at right time
August 24, 2018|
Mintz Honored by JD Supra's 2018 Reader's Choice Awards
March 19, 2018|
An Energy Law Pioneer
February 6, 2017|
Interview the Expert: An Interview With Tom Burton
February 2, 2017|
Mintz Advises on Top Greentech Deal of 2012
January 8, 2013|
podcasts
The ‘Third Inning’ of the Energy Transition
December 6, 2024 | Podcast
This podcast delves into the most pressing challenges facing clean energy today. The guests share valuable insights into the industry's evolution, focusing on three critical phases: innovation, growth, and scaling.
Mintz on Air - Predictions and Practical Policies
November 25, 2024 | Podcast | By Jennifer Rubin, Thomas Burton, Jacob Hupart, Jeff Porter , Steven Shparber
ESG Co-chair Jen Rubin moderates a forward-looking discussion on what businesses can expect for ESG, clean tech, and energy regulation under the second Trump administration.
From the Edge - In the Boardroom: Special Edition - Lessons Learned from Silicon Valley Bank
April 24, 2023 | Podcast | By Stephen Osborn, Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Thomas Burton
In this special edition of the podcast, the team discusses lessons learned for board members from the failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB).
From the Edge - In the Boardroom: Special Edition - Lessons from Theranos
November 29, 2022 | Podcast | By Thomas R. Burton, III, Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Stephen Osborn
With the conviction and 11-year sentence for former CEO Elizabeth Holmes, the team looks at the lessons to be learned from Theranos. The team discusses (1) the importance of open communication between board members and executives, (2) fostering a culture of compliance, and (3) tips for picking up on the early-warning signs.
From the Edge - In the Boardroom: Session 4 - ESG in the Boardroom
September 28, 2022 | Podcast | By Thomas Burton, Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Stephen Osborn
In our fourth session, “ESG in the Boardroom,” the team is joined by Kristyn Noeth, Of Counsel at Mintz, to discuss best practices related to and practical implementation of ESG concepts, as well as the impending Climate Disclosure Rule. As noted in the introduction, fewer topics are generating more interest in boardrooms across the country (and at Mintz!) than environmental, social, and corporate governance.
From the Edge - In the Boardroom: Session 3 - Board Committees
September 21, 2022 | Podcast | By Thomas Burton, Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Stephen Osborn
In our third session, “Board Committees,” the team discusses the various types of committees, the role or purpose of committees, committee composition, ESG as it relates to committees, and board committee trends.
From the Edge - In the Boardroom: Session 2 - Running an Effective Board Meeting
September 14, 2022 | Podcast | By Thomas Burton, Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Stephen Osborn
In our second session, “Running an Effective Board Meeting,” the team discusses key considerations for public and private companies in this critical area of governance.
From the Edge - In the Boardroom: Session 1 - Board Basics
September 7, 2022 | Podcast | By Thomas Burton, Melanie Ruthrauff Levy, Stephen Osborn
Our new podcast series In the Boardroom: Practical Advice and Guidance, features insights from Mintz Members Steve Osborn, Melanie Levy, and Tom Burton on a wide variety of topics specific to boards. They’ll answer all of your questions related to the “who, what, when, where, and how” of boards.
SPAC Chat Ep. 5: Tempering the SPAC Hype
June 4, 2021 | Podcast | By Thomas Burton, Jeffrey Schultz, Sahir Surmeli
SPAC Chat Ep. 3: Tracking Trends of the SPAC Surge
March 29, 2021 | Podcast | By Thomas Burton, Jeffrey Schultz, Sahir Surmeli
Events & Speaking
Power, Place & Policy: The New Rules of Data Center Development
Hosted by Heatmap Labs and Mintz
Webinar
Government Speaker Series | Clean Energy, Economic Growth & Public Policy — A Fireside Chat with Ben Downing
Mintz | ML Strategies
Boston, MA
2023 Looking Ahead: Investing Trends in Cleantech
2023 Looking Ahead: Investing Trends in Cleantech
Decarbonisation regulation – an international overview
Webinar series | Decarbonisation Week
Boston CleanTech Investment Landscape: Perspectives From the Entrepreneur, Incubator, Investor and Lawyer
Young Professionals in Energy Boston (YPE Boston)
ESG 101: Social Impact Investing and Board and C-Suite Diversity & Inclusion as Value-Creation Vehicles
View the Webinar Recording
The Impact of ESG on Private Equity Deals: Where are We Now and Where Will we be in a Year?
Online Event
Impact Investment Strategies for Family Offices in a Post-COVID–19 World
View the Webinar Recording
Cleantech San Diego Roundtable Lunch with Mintz Energy & Sustainability Practice Members
Cleantech San Diego
Mintz - 3580 Carmel Mountain Road San Diego, CA 92130
2019 Impact Capitalism Summit
Big Path Capital
The Nantucket Hotel & Resort, 77 Easton St., Nantucket, MA
The Collaborative Conference
Classy Inc.
The Warehouse at Flynn Cruiseport Boston, 1 Black Falcon Avenue, Boston, MA 02210
Technology for Better Water
Gradiant Corporation
Mandarin Oriental, 5 Raffles Ave Marina Square, Singapore
Clearing the Path for an Electric, Autonomous and Shared Transportation Future - An Executive Forum
Advanced Energy Economy
Mintz, One Finanical Center, Boston, MA
2018 Boston Navigate Investor Corporate Customer Connect
NECEC
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, 600 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02210
Nantucket Impact Capitalism Summit
Big Path Capital
Nantucket Hotel & Resort 77 Easton Street Nantucket, MA
Sustainable Investments in 2016 and Beyond
Citi
Citi Executive Conference Center, 153 E 53rd Street, 14th fl., New York, NY
Boston Cleanweb Tech Night
Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)
63 Franklin Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA
Cleantech Global Showcase: GloSho’15
Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)
JW Marriot, LA Live in Downtown LA, Los Angeles, CA
Energy Tech 10 Year Anniversary Celebration
Mintz Levin
The Lounge at District Hall 75 Northern Avenue Boston, MA
Tom’s zeal for innovation and passion for clean energy and sustainability have shaped the clean energy industry. He pioneered, and currently chairs, one of the nation’s first clean energy, climate, and sustainability legal practices at the turn of the century. He deploys full-scope integrated legal services for emerging companies with the project development and finance services required to scale innovative technologies and, as a result, Mintz routinely participates in “first of its kind” transactions. Clients ranging from investors like venture capital and private equity funds to entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 companies rely on Tom and his team for creative and strategic legal solutions.
Recognition & Awards
The Best Lawyers in America: Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2027)
Chambers USA: Massachusetts – Energy & Natural Resources (2021 – 2026)
Best Lawyers in America: Corporate Law (2015 – 2026); Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2021 – 2026); Energy Law (2015 – 2026)
JD Supra: Top Author, Readers' Choice Awards – Energy (2017 – 2019, 2025, 2026); M&A (2022)
Legal 500 United States: Recommended for M&A: Middle-Market (2024)
Legal 500: Green Ambassador for the United States (2025)
Wunder Capital: 100 People Shaping Cleantech on Twitter (2015)
Recognized by The Legal 500 United States as “rising to the fore” in energy technology for Venture Capital and Emerging Companies (2014)
Massachusetts Super Lawyers: Securities & Corporate Finance (2004, 2010 – 2023, 2025)
Decade of Influence Award, Northeast Clean Energy Council (2017)
Euromoney’s LMG Cleantech & Renewable Energy: Top 100 Lawyers in CleanTech (2013)
Euromoney’s LMG Cleantech & Renewable Energy: Top 10 Clean Technology and Renewables Law Firm
Watershed Capital Group: #2 US Clean Technology law firm
World Technology Award Finalist: Law (2010) (The World Technology Network awards are released in association with Time, Fortune, Technology Review, CNN, and Science)
Boston Business Journal: 40 Under 40 (2009)
Susan Grant Desmaris Award, Boston College Law School
Order of the Coif, Boston College Law School
Tom’s zeal for innovation and passion for clean energy and sustainability have shaped the clean energy industry. He pioneered, and currently chairs, one of the nation’s first clean energy, climate, and sustainability legal practices at the turn of the century. He deploys full-scope integrated legal services for emerging companies with the project development and finance services required to scale innovative technologies and, as a result, Mintz routinely participates in “first of its kind” transactions. Clients ranging from investors like venture capital and private equity funds to entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 companies rely on Tom and his team for creative and strategic legal solutions.
Involvement
- Advisory committee member, Dynamo Energy Hub (2023 - present)
- Chair, New England Aquarium Board of Trustees (2020 - present)
- Leadership Board, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (2020 - present)
- Advisory Council, Environmental League of Massachusetts (2023 - present)
- Advisory Council, SeaAhead, a bluetech startup platform (2019-2023)
- Founding Member, Board of Trustees, Massachusetts Housing & Climate Innovation Center (MassHCIC)
- Moderator, Virtual Momentum Summit, "Out of Crisis, Innovation is Born" (2020)
- Presenter, Planning Your Next Round of Financing in light of COVID-19 (2020)
- Presenter, A Practical Overview of the CARES Act and How It Can Help Your Construction Business (2020)
- Panelist, The Impact Capital Summit (2017-2020)
- Presenter, American Bar Association's Business Law Virtual Spring Meeting, "What You Need to Know About Environmental, Social, and Governance Criteria and Their Impact on Private Equity Deals" (2021)
- Judge, MIT Clean Energy Prize; Grand Prize (2018), Track Final Round (2014), Grand Prize (2012), and Energy Efficiency and Infrastructure Finals (2011)
- Board of Directors, Boston Golf Club (2013-2019)
- Chair, Boston College Law Day (2017, 2018)
- Selection Committee Member, Big Path Capital’s SmarterMoney+ Review (2016)
- President, Boston College Law School Alumni Board of Directors (2016)
- Board of Trustees, Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism (2008 - 2014)
- Co-chair, Massachusetts Water Innovation Mission to Israel (2012)
- Advisory committee member, Flutie Spectrum Enterprises LLC
- Advisory committee member, UMass Lowell Center for Sustainable Production Cleantech Project: An Agenda for a Healthy Economy
Recent Insights
Power, Place & Policy: The New Rules of Data Center Development
October 9, 2026| Webinar
Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Connections — October 2026
October 7, 2026| Article
Sustainable Energy & Infrastructure Connections — September 2026
September 10, 2026| Article
