John Works

John Works is an adjunct professor where he teaches the Expert Witness Practicum. He brings more than 40 years of global energy sector experience, translating intricate financial and legal concepts into actionable insights for the next generation of legal professionals.

Currently, John is serving as an expert witness in a significant $20 million lawsuit involving a 100 MW solar project in a developing country. His role involves assessing project maturity (permitting, financing, construction, and commissioning) to determine eligibility for claimed lost profits due to a violent incident. This ongoing work exemplifies his strong ability to deliver clear, authoritative expert advice in complex energy sector legal disputes—a skill he directly imparts to his students.

Throughout his distinguished career, John has been a highly accomplished and results-oriented professional specializing in project and structured finance, oil & gas and renewable energy development, and the design of competitive energy auctions and robust regulatory frameworks. His journey includes originating, financing, and managing large-scale oil & gas and power sector projects, with a significant 15-year focus on driving renewable energy initiatives (solar, wind, hydro, biomass) across developing countries.

With a unique background blending investment banking, project finance, and legal expertise, John offers comprehensive analysis and strategic structuring to bring even the most complex energy ventures to successful financial close. He excels at developing innovative financing approaches across the entire capital stack and has a proven track record of securing multi-million dollar funding for transformative projects. Whether assessing project feasibility, leading competitive auction design and implementation, or providing authoritative expert testimony in high-stakes legal disputes, John is committed to delivering tangible results and empowering stakeholders to foster competitive energy markets and attract vital private sector investment.

JD, International Law, University of Denver College of Law, Denver, Colorado (1982)

· Editor in Chief, Denver Journal of International Law & Policy (1982)

· Staff, Denver Law Journal (1982)

· Jessup International Moot Court Team (1981), third best oralist, Western Regionals

· Author of several articles published in internationally recognized legal publications

Certificate d'Etudes Politiques, International Economics, Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris, Paris, France (1979), avec mention assez bien (Major in International Economics, with concentration in US-European Relations)

Certificat de Langue Française, Université de Paris-IV (Sorbonne), Paris, France (1977), Degré Supérieur, avec mention bien (Major in Advanced French, with emphasis in French History, Art, & Literature)

BA, Political Science, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas (1977), with honors (Major: Political Science, with concentration in US Politics)

Admitted to practice law in New York (Southern and Eastern Districts since 1982), and in Washington, DC (since 2013). Member of the New York and Washington, DC bar associations.