2024 Up & Coming Attorneys: Derek Zha

STOEL RIVES LLP

Derek Zha has a mind for business and a knack for law. That combination has made him a valuable part of the Stoel Rives LLP’s Corporate group, representing clients in high-profile merger and acquisition transactions, corporate governance and a wide range of other business law matters.

Zha joined the Stoel Rives team as an associate in 2020. He works with clients in the renewable energy industry, supporting growth in solar, wind, biofuel, hydroelectric power and battery energy storage projects in Minnesota and across the U.S. Zha represents buyers and sellers in the acquisition, development and sale of renewable energy generation projects. He also provides counsel on complex tax equity and debt financing transactions for domestic wind and solar energy-generating assets under development nationwide.

“I am proud of the work we’ve done helping renewable industry businesses expand quickly in Minnesota and beyond,” he said.

Zha is active in promoting diversity and inclusion in the Twin Cities legal community. Since 2021, he has served as a mentor and firm representative for the Emerging Leaders Group of Twin Cities Diversity in Practice, a nonprofit association that is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive legal industry in Minnesota.

In addition, Zha regularly provides pro bono legal counsel to nonprofits, entrepreneurs and startups through his work with LegalCORPS. His legal and business consulting experience is invaluable to support local entrepreneurs, business owners, inventors and low-revenue nonprofit organizations. He assists fellow Minnesotans with business formation, reorganization, shareholder issues and dissolution.