Bracewell LLP‘s Washington DC-based team serves clients across the midstream space in regulatory, transactional, and enforcement matters involving oil, gas, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen pipelines. The team is particularly renowned for its representation of clients before the FERC, DOE, CFTC, PHMSA, and other state and federal energy regulatory agencies. Department head Mark Lewis routinely advises clients who own, operate, develop, and invest in oil and gas pipeline infrastructure and related infrastructure, including LNG storage facilities. Kirk Morgan advises clients on new infrastructure projects such as greenfield pipelines and expansion projects, among others, while Michael Brooks specializes in representing clients in investigations brought by regulatory bodies such as the CFTC and FERC. George Fatula has significant experience handling FERC proceedings, including rate cases, and Annie Cook is noted for her experience in pipeline safety matters. Eugene Elrod joined the firm from Latham & Watkins LLP in November 2023, while Michelle Boudreaux arrived in Houston from Baker Botts L.L.P. in July 2024.

Steptoe LLP advises both oil and natural gas pipeline companies on complex regulatory and litigation matters in addition to handling matters related to transactions, project development, pipeline safety, and FERC enforcement issues. Daniel Poynor, who heads the Washington DC-based practice, acts for pipeline companies in litigation proceedings as well as on ratemaking matters and pipeline expansion projects. Daniel Mullen supports clients with energy and commodities enforcement matters, government investigations, and litigation, as well as with the development of regulatory compliance programs. Steven Brose regularly handles compliance and transactional matters, while Steven Reed advises on new pipeline projects and the corresponding regulatory processes in addition to resolving disputes arising before the FERC, state regulatory agencies, and appellate courts. Joshua Runyan advises clients with respect to the construction, operation, and maintenance of major energy projects. The firm welcomed Lorrie Marcil from Sidley Austin LLP in January 2023.

Vinson & Elkins LLP‘s energy regulation and complex commercial litigation practice, which is co-headed by Houston-based lawyers Jay Seegers and Suzanne Clevenger as well as Washington DC-based William Scherman, handles a diverse portfolio of matters that encompasses rate cases, presidential permit applications, compliance issues, and FERC enforcement proceedings. Seegers advises clients on a wide range of complex regulatory issues and federal energy policy trends, while Clevenger’s practice centers around advising clients on FERC regulatory requirements and compliance with FERC regulations, including assisting clients with the creation of regulatory compliance and internal audit programs. Scherman, who joined the firm in February 2023 from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, advises companies on litigation, commercial, regulatory and legislative matters relating to the US and international energy markets. John Decker has expertise in the production and transportation of LNG, the development of gas-fired power plants, and natural gas asset transactions. Monique Watson, who joined from Steptoe LLP in August 2023, offers strategic, policy and legal expertise in all facets of natural gas and oil pipeline regulation, allowing her to handle rate cases and tariff analysis, energy market policy reviews, and transactional matters.

Baker Botts L.L.P.‘s broad energy practice includes representing clients in natural gas proceedings concerning the rates and terms of service for transportation and storage, advising on the permitting of regulated facilities, and negotiating a broad array of commercial agreements. The practice is headed jointly by Washington DC-based Michael Yuffee and Austin’s Andrea Stover; both routinely advise clients on enforcement and compliance matters before FERC and the CFTC. In Houston, Jim Barkley is well-versed in advising on the regulation of common carrier, and utility oil and gas pipelines in Texas. In Washington DC, Emil Barth supports a wide range of litigation and transactional matters, and Ryan Norfolk focuses his practice on work involving wholesale energy markets, including enforcement, compliance, and administrative litigation.

Hogan Lovells US LLP supports clients throughout the whole lifecycle of pipeline infrastructure development, from project planning and environmental reviews to prosecution and defense of permit applications before FERC and federal courts. The Washington DC-based team has particular expertise in LNG-related matters, routinely advising on Section 4 proceedings as well as on commercial issues relating to LNG export demand. The practice is led by Stefan Krantz, who has significant experience advising major pipeline companies in connection with large natural gas pipeline delivery systems. Greg Junge specializes in advising pipeline clients in certificate and abandonment proceedings and natural gas pipeline certificate regulation. Zachary Launer represents major corporations in rate cases, while Allison Hellreich supports a broad range of energy industry participants, including natural gas pipeline companies, with regulatory and transactional matters.

Latham & Watkins LLP represents industry participants in policy and enforcement matters before FERC, the DOE, CFTC, PHMSA, and other federal agencies, while also providing regulatory support to transactions within the oil and gas industry. Practice co-head Patrick Nevins advises pipeline companies and LNG developers on major infrastructure projects, regulatory matters, and administrative litigation. Natasha Gianvecchio also co-heads the team and focuses on natural gas-related work in addition to her electric power expertise. David Schwartz is noted for his experience advising clients involved in gas marketing, trading, transportation, and distribution. Tyler Brown concentrates his practice on administrative litigation, regulatory, and transactional work regarding financings and acquisitions in the energy industry. Eugene Elrod left the firm in November 2023. The team is located in Washington DC.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s energy and project development team, co-headed by Chicago-based Elizabeth Hanigan and Washington DC-based Stephen Spina, advises clients on a broad range of issues, such as certification and approval of new natural gas pipelines and storage facilities, development of interstate pipeline projects, and other regulatory, permitting, and transactional matters concerning exports and imports of natural gas. Kirstin Gibbs has significant expertise in advising on the development of new oil and gas infrastructure as well as in supporting clients with environmental challenges. Levi McAllister is another key practitioner in the group and advises on gas matters as well as on energy commodity trading. Pamela Wu, who represents clients before regulatory bodies such as FERC and the CFTC, and Arjun Ramadevanahalli, who advises owners and operators of critical pipeline infrastructure on cybersecurity compliance and enforcement issues, are further names to note. Unless otherwise mentioned, all lawyers listed are based in the Washington DC office.

Van Ness Feldman LLP advises clients through the full lifecycle oil and natural gas infrastructure development process, including on development, permitting, construction, and operation matters, as well as on regulatory compliance and transactional issues. Practice co-head Mona Tandon concentrates her practice on oil and product pipelines as well as on natural gas matters. Co-head Michael Pincus is sought out by clients who are involved in natural gas pipeline projects for his expertise in Natural Gas Act Section 7 certificating. Michael Diamond represents clients before FERC and federal courts of appeals and provides advice on rate and tariff matters. In Houston, Mosby Perrow assists clients with federal regulatory issues related to the natural gas and electric utility industries, including rate matters, pipeline certification, and abandonment proceedings. In 2023, Joseph Hainline joined the team from an in-house position at the US Department of Transportation. All named practitioners are located in the Washington DC office unless stated otherwise.

K&L Gates has extensive experience advising on regulatory issues related to natural gas pipeline transportation and storage as well as LNG imports and exports, with notable expertise in FERC processes for new facilities and safety reviews before PHMSA. Washington DC-based David Wochner routinely advises clients on matters concerning interstate natural gas and oil pipelines as well as on regulatory issues associated with offshore energy facilities, including LNG terminals. Timothy Furdyna, who is also based in Washington DC, advises clients on federal energy regulatory proceedings before FERC. Jamie Lavergne Bryan has left the firm.

King & Spalding LLP is well-regarded for its ability to represent oil and gas clients before FERC, the DOE, and other federal agencies, though the team is also capable of advising on issues relating to transitions to hydrogen, and carbon capture projects. The team is co-led by James Bowe and Nikesh Jindal, who are both based in Washington DC. Bowe has notable experience advising on the regulation of energy pipelines, oil and gas import and export facilities, storage facilities, and LNG projects, while Jindal’s advisory portfolio includes onshore and offshore exploration and decommissioning work. Tyler Brown, who is based in Atlanta, routinely represents natural gas pipelines clients, storage operators and local distribution companies before FERC.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP supports clients with a wide range of oil and gas related matters and is capable of representing them before the DOE for export authorization, obtaining certificates of public convenience, and negotiating development agreements in connection with LNG projects. Dahl Thompson counts project sponsors and developers as well as private equity investors among her client portfolio. Lisa Tonery represents high-profile clients who are active in the global LNG market on a wide range of regulatory matters, including in relation to complex pipeline projects and import facilities. Mariah Johnston is experienced in advising companies on securing permits and authorizations for major energy projects and regularly represents clients in proceedings before FERC, the DOE, and PHMSA. The entire team is located in New York.

Troutman Pepper is known for its expertise in the natural gas sector, where the firm assists clients with matters related to pipelines, terminals, LNG facilities, as well as emerging fuels and technology. The team is co-led by Amie Colby, Daniel Archuleta, and Atlanta-based Brandon Marzo. Colby routinely advises on FERC regulations and transmission issues, Archuleta advises on the development and construction of large natural gas infrastructure and technologies in addition to addressing regulatory concerns involving LNG and compressed natural gas, and Marzo regularly represents companies in regulatory approvals before state commissions. In Charlotte, Mindy McGrath represents clients in regulatory matters before the FERC. Russell Kooistra concentrates his practice on the federal regulation of the physical and financial gas and electricity markets, and Antonia Douglas has a special focus on supporting natural gas pipeline companies and local distribution companies before the US Court of Appeals and FERC. Practitioners mentioned are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP regularly represents clients in compliance and enforcement matters before FERC and EPA and advises on the regulatory dimensions of gas permits as well as of project developments and operations, including in relation to environmental issues. The practice is led by Myles Reynolds in Dallas, whose portfolio encompasses rate cases and advice on greenfield projects for a variety of clients, including natural gas utilities and midstream companies. Based in Washington DC, Shemin Proctor also sports extensive expertise in representing clients before FERC and advising them on regulatory compliance in connection with transactional matters. Another key practitioner in the group is DC’s John Lee Shepherd, Jr., an energy specialist with extensive experience in pipeline certification and abandonment as well as in civil enforcement matters.

Praised as ‘subject matter experts’, the oil and gas regulatory team at Jones Day is well-versed in both FERC litigation and project development matters and maintains a diverse client base comprising producers, pipeline companies, distributors, and end users. Transactional support represents another key component of the practice, which works closely with the firm’s transactions group to handle regulatory approvals and due diligence. The Houston office comprises practice head Jeffrey Schlegel as well as James Olson, who regularly represents clients in administrative litigation before FERC. David Applebaum is based in Washington DC and fields a broad energy practice that includes internal investigations, policy matters, and enforcement issues.

The New Orleans-based practice at Jones Walker LLP is ideally situated to handle major projects in Louisiana, most notably those pertaining to carbon sequestration and underground storage, though the firm is also routinely involved in matters relating to the petrochemical and LNG spaces. Grady Hurley, whose portfolio combines energy and maritime law, leads the practice jointly with Marjorie McKeithen, a carbon capture and sequestration specialist with in-depth experience in the development and operation of energy infrastructure projects including hydrogen facilities, pipelines, and LNG projects. Jonathan Hunter focuses on various matters within the offshore oil and gas industry.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP’s portfolio in the oil and gas space includes supporting clients on the regulatory aspects of M&A and financing transactions as well as advising them on enforcement issues, compliance, and the development of LNG and pipeline facilities. Further areas of strength for the team are shipper contracts and appellate litigation alongside environmental matters and bankruptcy-related work. Brooksany Barrowes and Andrew Stuyvenberg are main contacts for the practice and are both noted for their experience handling regulatory and transactional matters before FERC and the DOE.