Biography
As an attorney in private practice, Michael W. Wood has handled billions of dollars of commercial transactions involving corporate development, reorganizations, acquisitions, and debt restructure. He focuses on all phases of entity structure, project development, contract negotiations, financing, and restructuring of debt. He has represented public companies, private equity, developers, lenders, and contractors regarding acquisition, construction, and development of mid-stream energy projects, power plants, renewable energy projects, water utilities, water resources, and all phases of raw land, commercial and industrial development.
In addition to his years in private practice, Michael served as the senior vice president and a chief executive officer of Azurix, a water resources company, where he developed and managed the company’s Latin American and Caribbean water business, as well its U.S. water resource business. During the course of his career there, he handled the negotiation and acquisition of the Cancun Water Concession, the Mexico City service contract, and wastewater treatment plants constructed for the cities of Leon and Torreon, Mexico. He managed the bid processes and contract negotiations in Peru, Colombia and Jamaica. Michael led the company’s development team for water trading and water banking business in the Western U.S. (which included the permitting process for the Madera water bank in Madera, California). In addition, he led the negotiations for a major California energy facility’s (1,000 megawatt) back-up water supply, as well as the overall water contract for the project.
Michael is a certified mediator and has served as a mediator in over 100 commercial mediations.
Education
B.C., Rice University
J.D., University of Texas School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas, 1971
Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court
United States Tax Court
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Michael’s work as an attorney and as an executive in the corporate business world, brings an unique ability and perspective when advising his clients.
- Top Corporate Lawyer in Texas, Texas Best Lawyers, 2009
- Top Lawyer, H Texas magazine, 2007
- Houston Ballet Foundation, Former Member
- Houston Grand Opera, Former Member
- Houston Partnership, Former Member
- Renewable Resources Group, Senior Advisor
- Rice Lettermen’s Association
- Former Member
- Past President
- River Oaks Country Club
- Past President
- Current Chairman
- Texas American Bank – Galleria, Former Member
- Twelve Oaks Hospital, Former Member
- Wortham Theater Center, Former Member