Based in Washington DC, Steptoe LLP’s energy practice is reputed for the depth of its expertise across the full spectrum of regulatory, enforcement and private litigation matters with its stellar client roster including several of the largest electric utility companies in the country. The team’s specialisms include the litigation of rates and terms for transmission and wholesale services, commercial disputes in state and federal courts, as well as the support of clients in return on equity (ROE) complaint cases. The group is jointly steered by Richard Roberts and Daniel Mullen, who are both proficient in defending clients in investigations by FERC and the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Acting as both plaintiff and defense counsel for major utilities, Doug Green demonstrates prowess in antitrust-related disputes, often in the context of distributed generation and solar power. Karen Bruni‘s focus areas include matters concerning energy offers and trading in PJM and the California ISO, as well as the representation of clients before federal courts in litigations related to enforcement matters. David Raskin’s workload extends to transmission projects, contract and antitrust disputes, as well as stranded investments. Steven Ross retired in January 2023. At the same time, Wesley Heath departed for a role at the DOJ.

Equipped to handle both domestic and international energy litigation, Baker Botts L.L.P. is frequently engaged by generators, processors, service providers, transporters, distributors and marketers of electricity. The firm’s litigation practice works together with departments such as regulatory, environmental, appellate, and global projects to advise clients on all aspects of the development, production, distribution and marketing of energy products. Co-chair Bill Kroger has a track record of matters that involve the development of new energy projects and technologies, and has handled numerous disputes arising out of Winter Storm Uri, whereas co-chair Louie Layrisson is experienced in energy disputes related to supply chains, force majeure leases, power agreements and joint ventures. Washington DC-based Megan Berge specializes in matters related to environmental law, with her workload extending to civil litigation, permit appeals and advice on regulatory issues. Tina Nguyen‘s broad practice covers royalty obligations, pricing disputes, midstream agreements and nuisance claims. John Anaipakos departed in July 2023. Unless stated otherwise, all mentioned lawyers are based in Houston.

Representing major energy companies as both plaintiffs and defendants, Bracewell LLP has a strong pedigree in multidistrict and multi-party litigation and arbitration, with a notable specialism in disputes regarding compensation for energy infrastructure investments. The practice is co-led by Houston’s Stephen Crain, a name to note for power trading disputes, and Deanna E. King in Austin, who advises foreign clients on issues related to participation in the US energy markets, such as market access, competition and cross-border matters. Seattle-based Tyler S. Johnson acts in cases involving compliance with the Federal Power Act, FERC proceedings as well as related appellate litigation, and is noted for expertise in transmission and rate matters linked to the Bonneville Power Administration. In Washington DC, Michael Brooks focuses on commodities and derivatives with ties to electricity markets, which is also at the core of Bradley Benoit‘s practice in Houston. Andrew Zeve left the firm in January 2023, while Rachael Marsh departed in June 2023.

Handling the full gamut of FERC enforcement proceedings, McGuireWoods LLP‘s varied workload extends to disputes related to reliability-must-run (RMR) units, the transition from stated transmission rates to forward-looking formula rates, and the unauthorized use of transmission systems. Todd Mullins excels in enforcement and compliance disputes involving various regulators such as FERC and NERC, and related private litigation. Mullins leads the Washington DC-based practice alongside Noel Symons, whose capabilities encompass disputes arising from cross-jurisdictional matters, the design of markets for energy, transmission planning, and cost allocation. With particular proficiency in matters related to the development, ownership and operation of electric generation and transmission projects, Julia English regularly represents electric generation and transmission owners, developers, financial institutions and investors, while Katlyn Davis Farrell is well versed in handling matters regarding cost-based and market-based rates, generator interconnection, and RTO/ISO tariffs.

With a ‘breadth of experience that is hard to find in a single firm’, Dentons‘ energy department in Washington DC is adept at the full gamut of regulatory proceedings before FERC, including disputes related to operations, rates, project development, enforcement and agency rulemaking, and demonstrated its strength in private litigation, leveraging the firm’s international network to comfortably handle cross-border litigation and arbitration.  Praised for his ‘incredible knowledge’, Clinton Vince leads the practice and is recommended for his expertise in proceedings before trial and state appellate courts, as well as the Supreme Court. Sought out by power entities, municipalities, and energy customers, Emma Hand shines on matters related to energy efficiency and all sources of electric power generation such as renewables and distributed generation, with a specialism in federal utility regulation and litigation. Justin Mirabal is well versed in crafting consensus agreements between regulated entities and their customers in settlement negotiations.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP’s energy, regulatory and litigation team advises on the full spectrum of energy litigation matters before FERC and state and federal courts. The group also demonstrates proficiency with disputes arising out of transactions, which are also a strength of practice chair William Hollaway, whose clients include independent power producers and independent transmission companies, as well as traditional regulated generation and transmission utilities. Janine Durand‘s workload encompasses matters related to the development and management of energy transmission and generation, such as merchant transmission projects and renewable energy. All mentioned lawyers are based in Washington DC.

Investors, lenders, transmission and utility distributors as well as electric power cooperatives are among the clients who regularly turn to Haynes and Boone, L.L.P.’s energy litigation department for assistance with all spheres of business, regulatory and tort litigation. Appellate proceedings are a specialism of the team, and part of the focus areas of Ben Mesches and Andrew Guthrie in Dallas, and Houston’s Ryan Pitts. Mesches jointly steers the group alongside Leslie C. Thorne, who splits her time between New York and Austin, and is an experienced litigator for conventional and renewable energy disputes.

K&L Gates balances a busy workload of representing clients in litigation before FERC and federal courts of appeals, and is noted for expertise in matters relating to the interconnection of utility-scale generation facilities, transmission planning and cost allocation. The practice is co-headed by Kansas City-based John Crossley and Kimberly Frank in Washington DC, who is praised by clients for being ‘adept at quickly grasping technical issues’, and is proficient in administrative and appellate litigation on matters such as energy market design, transmission service, rate and cost allocation, and contested utility mergers. Also in Washington DC, Donald Kaplan‘s broad practice encompasses disputes arising from antitrust, economic regulation, and pricing issues. Boston’s Theodore Paradise joined the team in August 2023 from an in-house role, strengthening the group’s capabilities in the wind energy sector.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP houses a team of experienced trial lawyers and former regulators, showcasing a strong track record in court, arbitration and regulatory proceedings arising from commercial and regulatory disputes that is particularly well regarded for its in-depth knowledge of the nuclear power sector, which is a focus area of co-chair Brad Fagg in Washington, and the representation of buyers and sellers in disputes regarding power purchase agreements. Fagg leads the group alongside Houston’s Michelle Pector, who is adept at a variety of business and consumer disputes, with her knowledge extending to injunction proceedings, class actions, and litigation out of severe weather events, trade secret and supply chain disputes. Jared Wilkerson, who is also based in Houston, is a key contact for matters with ties to Latin America.

Troutman Pepper is reputed for its strong FERC practice, and offers particular proficiency with matters in the hydropower sector, for which Charles Sensiba is a key advisor. Among the firm’s clients are numerous investor-owned utilities and developers, who engage the team for disputes related to M&A, antitrust, generation and transmission rates, and interconnection issues. The group is led by a trio that exemplifies the firm’s capabilities in FERC proceedings: Brandon Marzo in Atlanta, Amie Colby, and Christopher Jones, who also covers matters related to transmission, energy market design and competition law. Unless stated otherwise, all mentioned lawyers are based in Washington DC.