Energy industry stakeholders face unprecedented challenges in everyday operations as they seek to comply with changing market rules, evolving compliance obligations, and potential enforcement actions. Buying and selling energy in often difficult market conditions has become more complicated in the face of anticipated yet undefined climate change legislation and regulation. For the managers and general counsel of many energy companies, success in uncertain times has been the result of the counsel and representation provided by Schiff Hardin attorneys in the Energy and Public Utilities group.
The attorneys in the Schiff Hardin Energy and Public Utilities Group have helped managers and general counsel of electric utilities, municipal and cooperative electric suppliers, electric "merchant" generators, electric and natural gas marketers, natural gas pipelines, natural gas local distribution companies, and other energy companies meet their regulatory obligations in virtually all aspects of applicable regulatory law. In addition to assisting clients with transaction and litigation needs, Schiff Hardin's energy lawyers also participate actively in its Corporate and Securities, Finance, Litigation, Construction, and Environmental practices to provide integrated services addressing the legal needs of its diverse energy industry clients.
Schiff Hardin serves clients in regulatory matters before federal agencies and state utility regulatory commissions involving the electric and natural gas industries. These matters include:
- Enforcement proceedings and investigations
- Compliance obligations
- Electric reliability
- Organized market rules and procedures
- Energy supply contracts
- Appellate review of adverse agency decisions
- Tariff matters
- Certificate applications
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Other types of regulatory proceedings
Schiff Hardin regularly represents clients in disputed contract matters and clients seeking judicial review of regulatory decisions in state and federal courts. The energy litigation practice is actively engaged in representing energy companies in regulatory and commercial disputes (including class actions) before state and federal courts, through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and in arbitration. The energy finance practice represents energy companies and financial institutions (including underwriters) in debt and equity financings, transactional matters and options, commodities and futures markets.
Our preeminence in energy law is demonstrated by several partners in our Washington D.C. office being selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers, and two partners being recognized within the top 50 women energy practitioners in the U.S. In addition, Chambers USA has recognized our energy practice in its annual rankings for the past five years, and three of our attorneys were named Leading Lawyers by Chambers USA in their respective states.