First Wind Holdings LLC (First Wind) has appointed Paul H. Wilson, Jr. as its executive vice president, general counsel & secretary. In this role, Wilson will look after the company’s legal affairs and manage its legal team. Prior to joining First Wind, Wilson served as a senior corporate partner at the New York law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP (Debevoise). First Wind also appointed Evelyn Lim as deputy general counsel.
Wilson also played a significant role in building the firm, serving as the Debevoise’s deputy presiding partner from 1993 to 1998. For above 35 years, Wilson’s practice at Debevoise was wide-ranging representing clients in mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings and other complex corporate transactions and international corporate matters. Wilson also served as chief financial officer of Debevoise from 1980 to 1988, 1991 to 1993 and then again from 2001 to 2008.
“We are very excited to welcome Paul. He brings a deep and broad level of experience to First Wind, from complex financial transactions to the challenges of corporate growth,” said Paul Gaynor, president and chief executive officer of First Wind. “First Wind will directly benefit from Paul’s strong background and a mix of excellent business judgment, professional skill and integrity.”
“Joining First Wind is a unique opportunity for me to work in the important area of renewable energy with a terrific management team,” said Mr. Wilson. “After many years of being outside counsel, I look forward to the new challenges of having an in-house role.”
“We wish Paul every success as he moves to this new stage of his career,” said Martin Frederic Evans, presiding partner of Debevoise. “While we will miss Paul as a partner, we look forward to keeping in touch with him as he contributes to the growth of this dynamic company.”
Evelyn Lim will continue to be an integral member of the First Wind leadership team working with Paul Wilson. Currently, he is general counsel of the company.
Wilson received his A.B. in international relations from Brown University, his LL.B. cum laude from Columbia Law School and his M.B.A. from Columbia Graduate School of Business. At Columbia Law School, he served as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and chairman of the Moot Court Committee. Wilson also served as law clerk to Judge Edmund L. Palmieri of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Wilson is married, with four children and five grandchildren.