Karleen Stern
Managing Partner
CONTACT
(415) 235-6559
karleen@cleanenergycounsel.com
Working to understand and combat the impacts of climate change has been a central tenent of Karleen’s career starting with her climate science studies as an undergraduate. Now a senior legal and business adviser to sustainable and clean energy industry clients, Karleen provides strategic guidance and legal counseling to companies, investors, developers, and IPPs, helping them to execute successfully on business strategy while managing risk.
Karleen’s expertise includes sustainable energy development, joint venture partnerships, financing, construction and operations, policy and procedure development, and contract review and management. Her background spans legal and business roles for global renewable energy developers, startups, and law firms. Over the course of her career, she provided legal and strategic guidance in the development, construction, and operation of over ten gigawatts of solar and wind utility scale projects, as well as over two gigawatts of C&I and behind-the-meter solar and solar and storage projects.
Karleen has extensive experience in negotiating and drafting project contracts for utility-scale and C&I solar, wind, and battery storage projects. She served as in house counsel at Fotowatio Renewable Ventures and SunEdison, and previously worked at the law firms Winston & Strawn and Stoel Rives.
Outside of work hours, Karleen tries to spend as much time as possible outside with her family. Together they enjoy hiking, camping, biking, and being in the mountains.
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Admitted to practice in California
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J.D. George Washington University
B.S. Duke University
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2026 Lawyer of the Year — Women in Business Law Awards