Canadian Lawyer InHouse

FACT FILE 14 www.canadianlawyermag.com/inhouse tant to engage with the Indigenous communi- ties early in the project and continue engage- ment throughout the life of the project." Wrubell was instrumental in the negotiation and completion of a 50:50 partnership agreement with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte to develop the Loyalist Solar project, a non-rooftop solar project in Stone Mills, Ont. The facility, which began operations in April 2019, produces enough renewable energy to power around 11,000 homes annually. He also spearheaded the acquisition of two operating wind facilities in Minnesota, which marked BluEarth's first wind investment in the U.S. The Danielson Wind Facility became a partnership between BluEarth and the local landowner partner, Danielson Wind Holdings, when BluEarth acquired an 80-per-cent interest in 2018. Given the complex nature of many of BluEarth's projects and the multiple stake- holders involved, Wrubell regularly enlists help from external counsel in Canada and the U.S. for matters such as corporate M&A work, litigation and project financing. When it comes to selecting external counsel partners, he favours firms that operate in all the jurisdic- tions where BluEarth is doing business. "In Canada, we operate or have develop- ments in B.C, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario, so it helps when our counsel has a presence across the country," says Wrubell, adding that he also favours firms with a national presence in the U.S. "I like working with people who have transactional experience and experience with financing and project development," he says. "We need a firm that has all the capabilities to help with the entire life-cycle, from acquisition of land to permitting, regulatory work, First Nations partnerships and all operational stages." Wrubell started his legal career in 2007 as corporate associate at Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP in Calgary, where he gained experience in corporate M&A, financing and governance work, but he was always drawn to the business side of an in-house counsel role. Prior to joining BluEarth, Wrubell spent six years at Calgary-based Canadian Oil Sands Limited, where he was deeply involved in corporate governance, financing and helping to manage the company's interest in crude oil. When Suncor acquired Canadian Oil Sands in 2016, Wrubell was instrumental in leading the $6.6-billion transaction. Following the acquisition, he chose to move to BluEarth where he takes pride in working, not just as a lawyer but as a member of the executive team, making major decisions in strategy, governance and risk management and leading the organization's expansion strategy across North America. "I like in-house counsel because you're a part of the decision-making process and the strategy and risk management of a company," says Wrubell. "I really enjoy the business side as we push forward with our growth strategy." BluEarth's growing portfolio of renewable energy facilities includes 405 megawatts in operation and under construction and more than 1,000 MW under development. "We need a firm that has all the capabilities to help with the entire lifecycle, from the acquisition of land to permitting, regulatory work, First Nations partnerships and all operational stages." Earned a JD with distinction and a BA in political science with great distinction from the University of Saskatchewan Called to the Bar of Alberta in 2008 Has been actively involved in several Calgary United Way workplace campaigns Participated in 2019 Jasper Research seminar Co-authored a paper on corporate power purchase agreements Is a member of the Law Society of Alberta GC PROFILE

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