JD Journal » ferc

Leading Natural Gas Regulatory Attorney Joins McDermott Will & Emery

rebneely — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:42:26 +0000

International law firm McDermott Will & Emery announced leading natural gas regulatory partner Karol Lyn Newman has joined the firm as a partner in its Energy Advisory Practice Group, based in the Firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

She joins McDermott from Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP, where she was also a partner.

Newman is a highly ranked attorney who has specialized experience offering regulatory advice to the natural gas sector. She is the fourth lateral partner to join McDermott’s global Energy Advisory Practice Group in the last four months. Her appointment complements the recent addition of Dan Watkiss, another well-known and widely-respected partner in McDermott’s Washington office with expertise on energy regulatory and compliance matters.

Blake H. Winburne, partner and global head of McDermott’s Energy Advisory Practice Group was quoted as saying in a press release at the firm’s website: “We are very pleased that a lawyer of Karol Lyn’s caliber is joining the practice. Her addition, together with other recent lateral partners brought into our Energy Advisory Practice Group, evidence the strong commitment of McDermott to remain one of the small group of go-to law firms advising the global energy sector. We will continue to invest in and grow this important practice area.”

Newman has advised clients on regulatory issues affecting coal gasification, liquefied natural gas (LNG), natural gas storage, and natural gas transportation projects. In addition, she has provided regulatory advice and counsel on oil pipeline rate and tariff issues and has represented clients in proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). She has also assisted clients on energy-related matters before the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Congress.

Winburne was also quoted as saying: “McDermott’s energy practice has seen tremendous activity in the natural gas sector in recent years, with increased U.S. production giving rise to M&A, financing and project development work. Karol Lyn’s extensive experience in the sector will help us to continue to offer our energy clients a comprehensive range of transactional and regulatory advice.”

Newman is a seasoned, highly respected attorney with a history of delivering outstanding results to clients. She has been recognized as a leading natural gas lawyer in the 2004 through 2011 editions of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and the 2006 through 2011 editions of The Best Lawyers in America.

McDermott Will & Emery represents some of the biggest names in the energy industry in a broad range of transactional, regulatory, enforcement, litigation, tax and other matters. Current clients include multinational energy companies, private equity investors, independent power and gas producers, developers, industrial and commercial customers, commodity marketers, hedge funds and trade associations. McDermott’s Energy Advisory practice was recognized by Chambers USA in 2011 for its strength in oil and gas, and power and renewables, as well as project development, financing, acquisitions and sales.

International law firm McDermott Will & Emery has over 1,000 lawyers in offices around the world.

Patton Boggs Snags Former FERC Commissioner

joshua — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:48:08 +0000

Suedeen Kelly, a former commissioner with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in both the Bush and Obama administrations, has joined Patton Boggs’s Washington office where she will co-chair the firm’s energy industry practice.

Kelly has extensive experience in the federal government as well as in the electric and natural gas industries. She served six years with the FERC, and in that role she was responsible for the oversight and regulation of the nation’s electricity and natural gas wholesale markets and interstate transmission systems.

Patton Boggs Managing Partner Stuart M. Pape commented on the move in a press release.

“The addition of Suedeen Kelly is a clear signal that we are strategically expanding our energy practice,” said Stuart M. Pape, managing partner of the firm. “She is a dynamic leader in the energy sector and a major draw for clients given her wealth of expertise in the private and public sectors.”

Prior to joining the FERC through a nomination from President George W. Bush, Kelly represented independent generators, water and gas utilities and companies doing business with utilities and mining companies.

“This is an exciting move,” Kelly said. “Patton Boggs is a highly acclaimed leader in every area of law that will be part of my practice — policy and regulatory, business, litigation and intellectual property. I am proud to be joining this superb organization.

“As co-chair of the energy industry practice, my goal will be to deliver value to the energy client by working closely with them to understand their needs, putting together the best and most qualified people to work on their project, and producing quality work efficiently. “

Washington D.C.-based Patton Boggs is considered a leader in public policy, litigation and business law. The firm has more than 600 lawyers with domestic offices in New York, New Jersey, Dallas, Denver, Anchorage and Northern Virginia. The firm also has an international presence in Doha, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and United Arab Emirates.

Former FERC Enforcement Director Joins Hogan & Hartson Energy Practice in Washington, D.C.

aostler — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:51:35 +0000

Today Hogan & Hartson LLP publicly stated that Susan J. Court has become part of their Washington, D.C. office. She will join the energy practice group as a partner.

Court was formerly the Director of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Enforcement, or FERC. While at FERC, she was in charge of 170 lawyers, accountants, auditors, economists, and other staff in charge of keeping to the Federal energy laws and rules. She was also key in helping set up NERC guidelines and rules.

Court also served on FERC’s natural gas counsel in a senior position during its restructuring of the regulation of natural gas. She is also involved continually in international energy issues; she recently spoke in Argentina at the 24th World Gas Conference and will be attending the 25th World Gas Conference in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia in 2012.

Director of the firm, Kevin Lipson, voiced that she will be well received by Hogan & Hartson. He stated, “We are very fortunate to have Susan join us. Her knowledge of the industry and regulatory environment in which our clients operate is unparalleled. She will be a great asset to our firm and the firm’s clients.”