Steptoe LLP remains a market-leading outfit in the energy regulatory space, with the Washington DC-based group advising a diverse range of clients on matters ranging from tariff compliance and enforcement proceedings to regulatory questions in connection with transactions as well as large-scale generation and transmission projects. Antitrust-related work within the power industry is another key strength for the firm, which routinely appears in high-profile cases before FERC and federal courts. Daniel Mullen is particularly well versed in assisting clients with investigations and contentious matters and leads the team jointly with experienced litigator Richard Roberts. Donna Byrne and Shaun Boedicker both have extensive expertise advising clients in FERC regulatory issues, including complaint proceedings and approvals. Another key name to note is William Keyser, whose practice encompasses matters relating to interlock issues, transmission rates, and energy transactions for a varied client base comprising electric utilities providers, energy storage developers, and power marketers, among others.

Fielding one of the largest practices in the market, Troutman Pepper advises clients on the whole gamut of regulatory issues in the electric power sector, though the firm is especially well regarded for its leading FERC practice, with lawyers capable of assisting clients with regulatory compliance and defending them in investigations. Hydropower constitutes another key area for the group, where it handles work in relation to FERC relicensing proceedings and policy initiatives, among others. Brandon Marzo is a go-to contact for regulatory approvals on behalf of major utilities and co-heads the practice out of the firm’s Atlanta office. Amie Colby has longstanding experience representing electric power clients in a wide range of matters before FERC and also co-heads the practice alongside Christopher Jones, whose expertise includes energy market design, market-based rate programs and competition aspects of M&A deals in the power sector; both are based in Washington DC. In Portland, Adrienne Thompson is another FERC specialist with particular know-how of FPA and PURPA-related matters.

Praised for its ‘outstanding legal advocacy‘, Baker Botts L.L.P. sports a multi-faceted practice capable of advising electric power clients on all aspects of regulatory issues and ensuing litigation. In addition to standalone regulatory work for a diverse client base that includes multi-state utilities as well as generation and transmission portfolio companies, the practice also provides regulatory support in the framework of transactions and financings. Washington DC’s Michael Yuffee counts enforcement defense, transactions and regulatory work among his areas of expertise and focuses on matters relating to the wholesale energy markets; he leads the practice jointly with Andrea Stover in Austin, whose work focuses on Texas and includes appearances before agencies such as ERCOT and the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Also in Washington DC, Jay Ryan and Emil Barth field diverse regulatory energy portfolios involving extensive FERC expertise.

Bracewell LLP sports a robust FERC practice, representing clients in federal appellate and district courts. The team also excels in renewable energy work, advising on independent transmission projects as well as storage and generation projects with the capacity to advise on regulatory compliance and approvals as well as on contentious and transactional issues. In Washington DC, practice head Catherine McCarthy is highly experienced in representing clients before authorities such as FERC, DOE and NRC, and Tyler S. Johnson counts regulatory litigation and compliance amongst his areas of expertise. Deanna E. King, based in Austin, is another practitioner with extensive know-how in federal and state court litigation in addition to non-contentious regulatory issues. New York’s Theodore Duver is regularly sought out by renewable energy companies and utilities in matters such as generic rule-makings and ratemaking proceedings. Rachael Novier Marsh left the firm for an in-house position in May 2023.

Eversheds Sutherland is renowned for its prowess in energy commodities and trading and excels at providing regulatory advice to major utilities, generation developers, and transmission infrastructure entities in the US. Led by Joseph Hall in Washington DC and Austin-based Lino Mendiola, the team advises on compliance, investigations, and enforcement proceedings, with extensive litigation experience before FERC and federal courts. The practice is also well versed in matters relating to the energy transition, such as onshore and offshore wind, as well as in cybersecurity issues within the electric power sector. Washington DC’s Allison Salvia advises a client portfolio consisting of electric cooperatives, transmission and energy trading companies, generators, and end users on regulatory approvals, enforcement, and compliance. Washington DC lawyers Daniel Frank and Jonathan Gottlieb are further key practitioners in this space, both sporting in-depth knowledge of the US energy regulatory market. Also in DC, Robert Lamkin, who joined the team from McDermott Will & Emery LLP in May 2024, handles both regulatory matters and structured transactions in the electric power space.

K&L Gates‘ full-service energy group is well equipped to represent clients before FERC and other federal authorities, while also fielding longstanding experience with regional electricity markets. The practice is regularly involved in a wide range of matters relating to transmission planning, enforcement investigations, and compliance, in addition to acting for clients including lenders and developers in the acquisition and financing of renewable energy and storage projects. John Crossley, who is based in Kansas City and centers his practice around project development and transactional matters, leads the team jointly with Washington DC’s Kimberly Frank, whose focus lies on regulatory work before FERC and state public utility commissions. Jennifer Mersing has left the firm for an in-house position.

Routinely handling a wide range of regulatory matters for the electric power market, Kirkland & Ellis LLP's advisory portfolio includes representing clients before authorities such as FERC, DOE, NRC, as well as CFTC. Power purchase agreements, M&A deals, and project development are among the key areas of activity for the firm alongside enforcement investigations and litigation. Brooksany Barrowes' experience covers ISO and RTO tariff proceedings as well as corporate compliance proceedings, among others, while Robert Fleishman fields in-depth expertise regarding the regulatory aspects of transactions within the energy market and routinely defends clients in enforcement actions. Andrew Stuyvenberg is another key practitioner in the team and offers experience acting on matters including FERC approvals for M&A deals, electric rate proceedings under the FPA, and nuclear regulatory issues. Marcia Hook left the firm in February 2024. All mentioned lawyers are based in Washington DC.

Latham & Watkins LLP‘s Washington DC-based power regulatory practice has longstanding experience with all areas of the energy market, where the firm is often sought out to advise on the regulatory aspects of transactions as well as matters such as tariff compliance, generation and transmission development, and administrative litigation before FERC. Natasha Gianvecchio, who leads the team, is particularly well versed in handling long-term power purchase agreements on behalf of independent power developers and owners. David Schwartz is reputed for his involvement in the formation of the developing electricity markets in the US and continues to advise on a broad spectrum of matters in the sector, including rate cases and M&A deals. The generation, transmission and distribution of electric energy as well as energy storage form part of Tyler Brown‘s area of focus, while Anna Biegelsen and James Blackburn are further names to note in the team.

McDermott Will & Emery LLP‘s energy regulation offering comprises transmission, interconnection, and reliability issues in addition to litigation and investigations by authorities such as FERC and CFTC. The firm also covers renewable energy generation and transactions within the power market. The Washington DC-based team is headed jointly by Neil Levy, who counts independent power producers, marketers, and merchant transmission developers among his clients, and David Tewksbury, who is particularly well versed in regulatory issues pertaining to rules for organized bid-based electricity markets. Operational, compliance, and regulatory matters are routinely handled by Stephanie Lim, while Bruce Richardson stands out for his expertise relating to cost-based ratemaking and reliability must-run. Robert Lamkin left the team in May 2024.

McGuireWoods LLP fields a practice with a varied caseload that encompasses rate cases, obtaining FERC approvals for transmission financing, the formation of new energy markets and regulatory litigation. FERC enforcement cases are another area of strength for the team jointly headed by a duo of energy experts: Todd Mullins chairs the firm’s energy enforcement group and has extensive experience in compliance and enforcement matters before FERC, the CFTC, and NERC, while Noel Symons’ advisory portfolio comprises RTO tariffs and market design, rate matters, and compliance, among others. Katlyn Davis Farrell is another key name to note with a broad practice that encompasses generator interconnection, cost allocation, and transactional support. FERC approvals, regulatory compliance and the development and ownership of electric generation and transmission projects fall under the umbrella of Julia English‘s areas of focus.

Praised for its ‘deep knowledge within the topic area to draw from’, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is known for its strong nuclear regulatory expertise, fielding a team capable of covering the full nuclear fuel cycle by advising on nuclear waste management, decommissioning, as well as the construction and operation of nuclear reactors. Within the broader energy practice, the team is regularly sought out to handle work pertaining to new transmission facilities and renewable energy generation including solar and offshore wind. Chicago’s Elizabeth Hanigan is well versed in assisting clients with energy-related infrastructure developments and leads the practice with Washington DC-based Stephen Spina, whose portfolio includes representing clients before FERC and advising them on market pricing, rate matters, and reliability standards compliance. Also in DC, Grant Eskelsen and Tim Matthews are further key names with in-depth expertise relating to regulatory issues in the nuclear energy space.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP stands out for its capabilities in high-profile energy litigation, adeptly representing clients before FERC, state, and federal courts. The practice is also adept at handling high-profile transmissions, often in connection with large generating facilities such as wind and solar projects across the country. Washington DC-based William Hollaway leads the team and primarily acts on behalf of independent power producers as well as transmission companies in the full range of regulatory and transactional electric power matters. Senior counsel Janine Durand, also in DC, provides clients with in-depth experience before FERC, in renewable energy work, and on merchant transmission projects. Jeffrey Jakubiak left the firm in February 2023.

Hogan Lovells US LLP‘s energy regulatory team stands out for its deep expertise in the nuclear energy space, where the firm advises on the licensing of first-of-its-kind nuclear facilities, transactions in the nuclear sector, and NRC investigations. Practice head Amy Roma fields longstanding experience handling nuclear matters, with her recent activity including assisting with the development of a nuclear fusion facility alongside work such as NRC license transfers under the Atomic Energy Act. Daniel Stenger regularly provides regulatory support to clients engaging in transactions within the nuclear energy space and also advises on policy developments and licensing matters.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP fields a team that is praised for its ‘deep bench with experienced leadership’ and handles federal and state regulatory proceedings for clients in the electric power sector in addition to providing regulatory support for M&A deals and other energy transactions. Notably, the firm possesses in-depth experience with a number of federal and state authorities such as FERC, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and ERCOT. Myles Reynolds counts rate cases, certificate proceedings, and regulatory compliance in his advisory portfolio and leads the practice out of the firm’s Dallas office. In New York, Ted Murphy is a go-to lawyer for clients including ISOs, RTOs, and electric utilities seeking advice on matters concerning market design and regulatory issues. Tab Urbantke, based in Dallas, is ‘highly knowledgeable of the industry’ and regularly handles the regulatory aspects of project developments while also advising on energy-related transactions.

Representing a diverse client roster in the electric power space, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP has extensive experience across a wide spectrum of regulatory matters, including at the federal and state level as well as in transactions and litigation. Houston-based Caileen Kateri Gamache is particularly active in advising on the financing of renewable energy projects and also handles offtake agreements, PPAs, and supply contracts. Washington DC’s Robert Shapiro is another key name who focuses on power hedging arrangements, project finance, and the regulatory requirements of power projects. Also based in DC is Joseph Williams, whose practice encompasses routinely representing clients before authorities such as FERC and the CFTC. The practice also welcomed energy regulatory, reliability, and project development attorney Debra Ann Palmer to its ranks in 2023.

With a broad electric power offering, Van Ness Feldman LLP routinely handles regulatory issues pertaining to large-scale transmission projects, interconnection matters, and wholesale market operations, among others. The firm also stands out for its hydropower capabilities, assisting clients with licensing and relicensing as well as representing them before authorities such as FERC and EPA. Joseph Nelson in Washington DC and Malcolm McLellan in Seattle jointly head the electric practice and are well versed in matters spanning the full spectrum of electric power issues, including enforcement actions and investigations. DC’s Mike Swiger, who acts as head of the firm’s hydropower practice, counts investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, and independent power developers among his clients, for whom he handles both non-contentious and litigious matters. Douglas Smith, former General Counsel of FERC, is another key practitioner in the DC regulatory group.

Vinson & Elkins LLP‘s energy regulatory practice handles transactions and enforcement proceedings alongside transmission projects and rate cases for a variety of clients, often appearing before the DOE, FERC, as well as the PUCT. Houston-based James Seegers and Suzanne Clevenger act as co-heads of the team and have extensive experience advising clients in the energy space. The practice expanded notably at the beginning of 2023 with the addition of a team from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP to the DC office, including FERC experts Jeffrey Jakubiak and William Sherman, with the latter completing the group’s trio of practice heads. John Decker is noted for his expertise in regulatory matters concerning both the electric power and natural gas sectors.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is praised for its ‘broad and deep experience in the entire energy space’, which the firm leverages to advise a wide range of clients active in the electric power sector, including generation and transmission clients, commodity traders, and utilities. Norman C. Bay, hailed by clients as ‘the strongest FERC lawyer in the country’, has a very active regulatory practice that spans enforcement and compliance as well as transactions and ratemaking, while Paul Pantano complements his know-how of the energy industry with expertise in commodities and derivatives law. All named attorneys are based in Washington DC.

With a practice spanning advice on transactions, compliance, and FERC proceedings, A&O Shearman is regularly sought out for its regulatory expertise by a variety of clients, including IOUs, independent power developers, and end-users. Led by Daniel Sinaiko in Los Angeles and Dorina Yessios in New York, the practice also includes George Cannon, Jr. in Washington DC, who is praised as one of ‘the most technically proficient lawyers in the field’. Also based in DC is Porter Wiseman, whose experience encompasses appearing before FERC and state public utility commissions as well as advising on due diligence for transactions.

Arnold & Porter continues to handle a host of work in the electric power industry, ranging from administrative litigation before FERC to generation and transmission projects. The firm’s recent work includes disputes in the hydropower sector as well as developing and filing market reforms pertaining to the capacity market. Washington DC’s Sandra Rizzo represents clients before federal authorities and advises them on regulatory and compliance matters. Acting for clients in organized wholesale electric markets, Andrea Kearney stands out for her FERC expertise and is also well versed in the regulatory aspects of transactions and financings within the energy space.

Active on both a state and federal level, Dentons handles rate cases, transmission projects, and enforcement matters in addition to advising on the regulatory aspects of transactions in the energy space. Practice head Clinton Vince has a varied practice that includes appellate cases and project development for clients such as municipal utilities and transmission companies, while Emma Hand‘s advisory portfolio encompasses both regulatory and litigation matters. Regular appearances before FERC and state public utility commissions as well as compliance issues form part of Justin Mirabal‘s experience. All named attorneys are based in Washington DC.

Husch Blackwell LLP handles regulatory enforcement and compliance matters on behalf of clients such as utilities and generation companies and is often involved in matters pertaining to transmission and renewable energy projects. Chris Reeder, based in Austin, counts policy questions, rate cases, and transmission system access among his areas of expertise; he co-heads the practice with Washington DC’s Linda Walsh, who is regularly sought out by electric utilities to advise on FERC-proceedings and NERC reliability matters, among others. Also in DC, Richard Bonnifield assists clients with approvals, compliance audits, and the regulatory aspects of transactions.

Praised by clients as a ‘go-to firm in this area’, Mayer Brown‘s regulatory offering in the electric power space is often sought out in relation to the firm’s transactional capabilities, where it assists clients with the sale and purchase of assets such as generating projects and public utilities. The practice also handles FERC proceedings under the leadership of Mark Williams in Washington DC. Williams specializes in FERC-regulated M&A proceedings, which also form a key area of focus for DC-based Heather Feingold. Tray Smith left the firm in September 2023.

O'Melveny & Myers LLP is noted for its work relating to the Texas electricity market, where the firm often appears before state commissions such as PUCT alongside representing clients on the federal level. A trio of practice heads leads the team from the firm’s Austin office: Katie Coleman and Phillip Oldham regularly handle work surrounding transactions, regulatory issues and administrative litigation in the electric power space, while Ben Hallmark stands out for his expertise in a broad range of contentious matters. Also in Austin, Michael McMillin focuses on regulatory proceedings, including rate cases and transmission line certificates.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP fields a regulatory practice that is well versed in FERC-related matters and regularly advises on the development of compliance programs, represents clients in proceedings and disputes, and assists with the regulatory aspects of transactions. In Houston, Dahl Thompson and Blake Winburne serve as heads of the wider energy practice of the firm, while Washington DC-based Adam Wenner and Cory Lankford are key contacts for advice on the whole lifecycle of energy projects. San Francisco’s Patrick Ferguson counts matters in the renewable energy space among his areas of expertise and primarily handles generation, transmission, and storage projects.