David Sanchez is a business-minded real estate attorney who focuses his practice on renewable energy and corporate real estate transactions. A member of the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group in the Milwaukee office, David represents developers, investors, lenders, and strategic buyers in the real estate aspects of utility-scale energy projects, multi-site portfolio acquisitions and divestitures, and tax credit-driven development.
David regularly counsels clients on the acquisition, development, and financing of wind, solar, and battery storage projects. His work includes negotiating and analyzing site control documents, managing title and survey review, coordinating multi-property diligence, and working closely with lenders, investors, and title companies to identify and resolve issues early so projects can move forward on schedule. David also advises on real estate issues in corporate mergers and acquisitions, including multi-site portfolio deals, and understands how real estate risk, timing, and covenants affect overall transaction value.
In addition to his energy and M&A practice, David assists sponsors, lenders, and investors with Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC), and other tax credit and affordable housing developments. He helps structure and close transactions involving layered financing, ground leases, easements, and other project-critical real estate components, with a particular focus on projects that support housing and educational facilities in underserved communities.
Before joining Foley, David served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Rebecca Frank Dallet of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, where he assisted in all aspects of appellate practice. Drawing on his prior experience at Google, he brings a practical, solutions-oriented and business-minded approach to problem solving and client service, emphasizing clear communication, responsiveness, and efficient execution on complex matters. David is also active in the community, including significant pro bono work related to housing and education and volunteer service with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee.
Representative Experience
Energy and Power Generation
- Represented a national bank in multiple tax equity investments in utility-scale solar portfolios, including a $2.1 billion gigawatt-scale project spanning approximately 3,300 acres.
- Represented a leading renewable energy developer in the development and sale of multiple 300 MW solar and 165 MW battery storage projects to a regulated utility, with transaction values of approximately $600 million and $649 million.
- Represented a major electric utility in proposed acquisitions of 795 MW and 870 MW natural gas-fired generation facilities in Oklahoma and Ohio, totaling more than $1.4 billion in value.
Corporate and M&A Real Estate
- Represented a privately held electrical contractor in the pending $825 million sale of a more than 20-site real estate portfolio, handling all real estate diligence and documentation.
- Advised global strategic buyers in separate cross-border acquisitions valued at approximately $975 million and $900 million, including real estate diligence on dozens of owned and leased sites across multiple countries.
- Represented a national manufactured housing company in its $30 million stock acquisition of a regional retailer, managing all real estate aspects of the transaction.
Tax Credit, Affordable Housing, and Community Development
- Represented a regional multifamily developer in LIHTC new construction projects valued at approximately $42 million and $20 million in North Carolina and Oregon, addressing complex title, survey, and access issues.
- Advised community development entities and project sponsors on NMTC financings for Milwaukee educational facilities, including a $55 million new high school campus and a $10 million middle school expansion.
General Acquisitions, Financing, and Portfolio Matters
- Advised private investment firms on more than a dozen separate real estate acquisitions totaling approximately $52 million across multiple jurisdictions.
- Represented a global financial institution in the real estate aspects of a revolving holdco debt facility and letter of credit facility for a renewable energy platform.
- Represented a diversified logistics and infrastructure company in multiple acquisitions and dispositions, including a $140 million acquisition of grain handling and storage assets.
- Advised a residential and mixed-use developer on multiple land sales and a complex land swap in a master-planned community.
Affiliations
- Assistant, American Journal of Law and Equality
Presentations and Publications
- Line Editor, “Journal on Legislation”, Harvard Law