Ben Vila is a transactional attorney specializing in clean energy and project finance matters. Ben represents banks, developers, and utility clients on clean energy transactions, including utility-scale solar project development, community solar acquisitions, power purchase agreements, and commercial lending. Ben also has experience counseling clients on finance transactions including economic development projects, public infrastructure, recycling facilities, transportation, water and wastewater treatment systems, affordable housing, biogas plants, and advanced manufacturing facilities.
Prior to joining Ballard Spahr, Ben worked as a corporate associate at a Chambers-ranked law firm, where he worked on mergers and acquisitions, securities regulation, and corporate governance matters. Before his legal career, Ben gained years of experience in the clean energy industry, developing residential and commercial solar projects and designing and implementing clean energy policy and programs, including for the Philadelphia Energy Authority.
Representative Experience
Representative Matters
- Represented a multinational solar company in the acquisition of a 40 MW+ portfolio of community solar projects in Illinois and New York
- Lender's counsel in connection with the financing of solar and battery energy storage projects throughout the United States, including construction loans and sale-leaseback transactions
- Represented an electric utility in connection with drafting and negotiating power purchase agreements (PPAs) for a portfolio of utility-scale solar and battery storage projects with a combined capacity of over one gigawatt
Professional Highlights
Pro Bono Experience
Professional Activities
Independence Business Alliance
Philadelphia LGBTQ Bar Association
Young Professionals in Energy - Philadelphia
Publications
Related Insights
Credentials
Education
Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 2022)
President, Temple Environmental Law Society
Executive Articles Editor & Diversity Editor, Temple International and Comparative Law Journal
Terrence H. Klasky Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in banking law
Vice President, Outlaw
Latin American Law Student Association
Beasley Scholar
Brown University (A.B. 2015)