dcsimg Energy Law

Energy Law

Print

Industry Veterans and Leaders

Members of our Energy team, including more than 80 interdisciplinary lawyers, have been serving energy and utilities clients for nearly 50 years. As technology, energy and power usage, regulation and environmental policy have evolved, our attorneys have been on the front lines — taking a leadership role in shaping one of the most powerful and ongoing influences on the U.S. and global economies.

We represent 20 energy companies listed on the Fortune 500, and many of our energy clients have been with our firm for a decade or longer. Collectively our Energy team has decades of experience representing industry participants. On Law360’s 2012 Largest Law Firms list, McGuireWoods’ Energy practice group was ranked 12 out of 100 top firms.

Policy Leadership

Our Energy lawyers have taken active roles in many of the major policy decisions of the last decade, among them — the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Energy Independence and Security Act (2007) and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009). Our Energy team includes former members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, former energy regulators and energy company CEOs and GCs — most in career-spanning, energy-specific roles.

Business and Industry Leadership

Of the more than 80 lawyers focusing on this industry, many have been active at the state and the national levels — i.e., a former president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), a former branch chief for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and a former president of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), the latter of whom now serves one of the United States’ largest coal companies on both federal and state matters.

In the United States alone, we have established energy-related concentrations in all major industry hubs — California; North Carolina; Ohio, Pennsylvania; Texas; Washington, DC; and West Virginia.

Growing Presence in the Global Economy

In emerging markets, McGuireWoods has a growing presence, from crossing borders with clients to R&D. We have substantial energy-related experience spanning Europe, Scandinavia and the former CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). We represent clients throughout North, Central and South America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Because energy has always been a leading market in the global economy, our energy experience derives from work with emerging sources of production such as shale gas production, solar and wind power.

Access to All Firm Resources

As an international firm, we do business where you do business. Each client retains the full resources of our international law firm. Where your industry intersects others, we bring to bear our experience in those areas as well — regulated and deregulated utilities, renewable energy, corporate finance, environmental solutions, venture capital, tax, employee benefits and commercial litigation.

Practice, Industry and Business Experience

We bring energy-specific transactional and regulatory experience, combined with the business and industry knowledge, which enables us to approach your business and industry from your point of view. As a result, we can align our services with your strategic objectives.

CONTACTS

James Y. Kerr II Partner T: +1 919 755 6688
Joseph K. Reid III Partner T: +1 804 775 1198
Results 1-20 of 124
Show All
Representative Matter

Diversified energy producer

Representation of a diversified energy producer in a 14-count case pending in Greene County, Pa., which includes claims that the seminal (CBM) Hoge case should be overturned. It includes a horizontal trespass claim based on allegations that CBM outside the main bench of the Pittsburgh seam is not part of the Pittsburgh seam and a quiet title claim related to a boundary dispute. Partial summary judgment was granted upholding the CBM Hoge decision.
Representative Matter

Diversified energy producer

Representation of a diversified energy producer in a multi-count case in the Western District of Virginia alleging that defendant dumped contaminated water into mine voids when they did not have a legal right to do so.
Case Study

McGuireWoods Advises Gold Standard Foundation on Carbon Market Acquisition

McGuireWoods acted as M&A transactional counsel to the Gold Standard Foundation, one of the leading global carbon credit standards bodies headquartered in Switzerland, in its purchase and acquisition of the CarbonFix Standard, a German forest carbon credit standard. The McGuireWoods team was led by Washington senior counsel Cameron Prell, a member of the firm’s energy and climate change team. To read a news release about the deal, click here. To read a story published Sept. 18 on Ecosystem Marketplace, click here.

Representative Matter

Energy-focused merchant bank/private equity fund

Represented an energy-focused merchant bank/private equity fund in the stock acquisition of an investment research firm. As a result of the acquisition, the company is able to serve as a broker-dealer for energy transactions.
Representative Matter

Owner/operator of facilities that convert recyclable materials to power

Represented an owner/operator of facilities throughout North America that covert recyclable materials and biomass to power in the $44 million acquisition of two biomass industry companies.
Representative Matter

Publicly-traded master limited partnership

Represented a publicly-traded master limited partnership in the acquisition of petroleum and refined products storage tanks, terminal assets, real estate and logistics assets from an independent refiner and marketer of petroleum products.
Representative Matter

Oil and gas corporation

Obtained a favorable defense verdict on behalf of client in a complex commercial dispute and successfully recovered attorneys' fees via counter-claim.
Representative Matter

One of the largest producers and transporters of energy in the United States

Representation of one of the largest producers and transporters of energy in the United States in litigation claiming that global warming and Hurricane Katrina were the result of activities related to energy industry companies.
Representative Matter

Fortune 500 energy company

Representation of a Fortune 500 energy company in multibillion dollar civil litigation with minority owners arising from the construction of a nuclear power plant in North Carolina. The case involved all aspects of nuclear plant construction.
Representative Matter

Large energy companies

Representation of large energy companies in multiple class action gas royalty cases in the Western District of Virginia and Ohio.
Representative Matter

Two leading utilities

Representation of two leading utilities in a consumer fraud class action. MW took over the defense of the case after the case had been pending for over seven years. Our clients settled the case without its co-defendant which ultimately settled.
Representative Matter

A leader in mine safety solutions

Lead counsel for a leader in mine safety solutions in patent infringement and breach of contract.
Representative Matter

Coal and gas company

Lead counsel for a coal and gas company in a putative class action case involving statutory constitutional issues and gas royalty claims. This case is one of a few class action cases in Virginia that were initiated after an eight part newspaper series
Representative Matter

Diversified energy producer

Representation of a diversified energy producer in civil investigative demand (CID) for information and documents from the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Virginia regarding the company's exploration, production, transportation and sale of coalbed methane gas in Virginia and whether the company may have violated the Virginia Antitrust Act. The CID was ultimately withdrawn.
Representative Matter

Private equity fund

Representation of private equity fund in the acquisition of two landfill gas-to-energy (LFGTE) facilities from the investment vehicles managed by another fund. The facilities are located in California and Rhode Island and have an existing generating capacity of 26.0 MW.
Case Study

Team represents Dominion Resources in debt offering

A team of lawyers recently represented Dominion Resources Inc., one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, in the issuance of $500 million 2011 Series C 4.90% senior notes due 2041.

Representative Matter

Energy Venture Partners Limited

Represented Energy Venture Partners Limited in a substantial, high profile Commercial Court action against Malabu Oil and Gas Limited in relation to a US $1.3 billion transaction concerning one of West Africa's largest offshore oil blocks, including obtaining urgent freezing orders and injunctions before Griffith Williams J and Steel J in July 2011 (2011 Folio No. 792).
Representative Matter

Distributor of propane and related equipment and supplies

Representation of a publicly-traded propane provider in the acquisition of an independent propane retainer for $3.1 million.
Representative Matter

Oil & gas industry supplier

Represented the world’s leading supplier of technology, integrated project management and information solutions to customers working in the oil and gas industry worldwide in its $25 million investment in a cathodic atmospheric plasma company, which represented a 20% stake together with a prepayment for a supply agreement.
Representative Matter

Subsidiary of a provider of natural gas for transportation in North America

Served as bond and special borrower’s counsel on the issuance of $40.2 million fixed rate tax-exempt solid waste disposal revenue bonds in Texas for the construction and expansion of an existing landfill gas facility, with such issuance being the first nonrecourse landfill gas project receiving an investment grade rating for its debt without any credit enhancement and the purported first project at an NSPS landfill that validated and verified the receipt of verified emission reduction credits under the Voluntary Carbon Standard.
Results 1-20 of 124
Results 1-25 of 51
Show All
Scott E Adams Scott E. Adams
Associate
1750 Tysons Boulevard
Suite 1800
Tysons Corner, VA 22102-4215

T: +1 703 712 5461
F: +1 703 712 5278
vCard
E. Brett Breitschwerdt E. Brett Breitschwerdt
Associate
434 Fayetteville Street
Suite 2600
Raleigh, NC 27601

T: +1 919 755 6563
F: +1 919 755 6579
vCard
Anthony Carna Anthony J. Carna
Associate
EQT Plaza
625 Liberty Avenue
23rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3142

T: +1 412 667 7932
F: +1 412 667 7948
vCard
Stacia A Christman Stacia A. Christman
Counsel
EQT Plaza
625 Liberty Avenue
23rd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3142

T: +1 412 667 7938
F: +1 412 667 7950
vCard
Kristian M Dahl Kristian M. Dahl
Partner
One James Center
901 East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219-4030

2001 K Street N.W.
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006-1040

T: +1 804 775 4730
F: +1 804 698 2004
vCard
Kristin Davis Kristin A. Davis
Associate
Court Square Building
310 Fourth Street, N.E.
Suite 300
Charlottesville, VA 22902-1288

T: +1 434 980 2230
F: +1 434 980 2271
vCard
Peter A del Vecchio Peter A. del Vecchio
Partner
JPMorgan Chase Tower
600 Travis Street
Suite 7500
Houston, TX 77002-2906

T: +1 713 353 6672
F: +1 832 214 9929
vCard
Angelique Dousis Angelique Dousis
Associate
JPMorgan Chase Tower
600 Travis Street
Suite 7500
Houston, TX 77002-2906

T: +1 713 353 6684
F: +1 832 214 9926
vCard
Tricia Dunlap Tricia A. Dunlap
Attorney
One James Center
901 East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219-4030

T: +1 804 775 1453
F: +1 804 698 2065
vCard
Julia English Julia D. English
Senior Counsel
2001 K Street N.W.
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006-1040

T: +1 202 857 1706
F: +1 202 828 2993
vCard
M. Melissa Glassman M. Melissa Glassman
Partner
11 Pilgrim Street
London EC4V 6RN
United Kingdom

11 Pilgrim Street
London EC4V 6RN
United Kingdom

T: 703.712.5351
F: 703.712.5228
vCard
Jeffrey Gollomp Jeffrey A. Gollomp
Partner
JPMorgan Chase Tower
600 Travis Street
Suite 7500
Houston, TX 77002-2906

T: +1 832 214 9945
F: +1 832 214 9922
vCard
Mark Griffith W. Mark Griffith
Partner
434 Fayetteville Street
Suite 2600
Raleigh, NC 27601

T: +1 919 755 6616
F: +1 919 755 6587
vCard
Mary Lynne Grigg Mary Lynne Grigg
Partner
434 Fayetteville Street
Suite 2600
Raleigh, NC 27601

T: +1 919 755 6573
F: +1 919 755 6590
vCard
Ellen S Griswold Ellen S. Griswold
Associate
2001 K Street N.W.
Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006-1040

T: +1 202 857 1713
F: +1 202 828 2988
vCard
D. Bowen Heath D. Bowen Heath
Counsel
434 Fayetteville Street
Suite 2600
Raleigh, NC 27601

T: +1 919 836 4009
F: +1 919 755 6699
vCard
Patrick T Horne Patrick T. Horne
Partner
One James Center
901 East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219-4030

T: +1 804 775 1387
F: +1 804 698 2064
vCard
Matt Huddle Matthew G. Huddle
Associate
7 Saint Paul Street
Suite 1000
Baltimore, MD 21202-1671

T: +1 410 659 4467
F: +1 410 659 4476
vCard
Matthew A Kapinos Matthew A. Kapinos
Associate
One James Center
901 East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219-4030

T: +1 804 775 1191
F: +1 804 775 1061
vCard
Joanne Katsantonis Joanne Katsantonis
Partner
One James Center
901 East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219-4030

T: +1 804 775 1017
F: +1 804 698 2090
vCard
Andrea R Kells Andrea R. Kells
Counsel
434 Fayetteville Street
Suite 2600
Raleigh, NC 27601

T: +1 919 755 6614
F: +1 919 755 6589
vCard
Brian J Kelly Brian J. Kelly
Partner
7 Saint Paul Street
Suite 1000
Baltimore, MD 21202-1671

T: +1 410 659 4465
F: +1 410 659 4480
vCard
James Y Kerr II James Y. Kerr II
Partner
434 Fayetteville Street
Suite 2600
Raleigh, NC 27601

T: +1 919 755 6688
F: +1 919 755 6675
vCard
Mark J La Fratta Mark J. La Fratta
Partner
One James Center
901 East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219-4030

T: +1 804 775 1106
F: +1 804 698 2096
vCard
John M Lain John M. Lain
Partner
One James Center
901 East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23219-4030

T: +1 804 775 4381
F: +1 804 698 2097
vCard
Results 1-20 of 36
Show All
Speaking Engagement

7th National Forum on Energy Trading Compliance and Regulatory Enforcement

Achieving Compliance, Avoiding Investigation and Managing Regulatory Actions in an Era of Heightened Scrutiny

June 6-7, 2013
Houston, TX
Speaking Engagement

Voluntary Hydraulic Fracturing Standards

May 7, 2013
TeleBriefing
Speaking Engagement

Bloomberg New Energy Finance Summit: The Future of Energy

April 22-24, 2013
Speaking Engagement

IETA Carbon Forum North America 2012

Low-Carbon Finance & Investment: Where Will the Money Come From?

October 1-2, 2012
Washington, DC
Event

SEC Compliance and Enforcement Update

September 25, 2012
Event

11th Annual Coal Industry Briefing

September 19, 2012
Pittsburgh, PA
Speaking Engagement

Strafford Publications Webinar

Hydraulic Fracturing Litigation, Enforcement and Regulatory Developments: Navigating New EPA Rules, Lease Negotiations, Environmental Issues and Other Legal Challenges

June 12, 2012
Speaking Engagement

Institute for Energy and the Environment at Vermont Law School

Raising Revenue from Wholesale and Retail Ratepayers

June 20, 2012
Speaking Engagement

Ed Flippen Speaks in UK about U.S. Electric Regulation and Deregulation

November 14, November 23, 2011
Speaking Engagement

Senior Practitioners Forum on Climate Change Law

November 7-8, 2011
Speaking Engagement

Environmental Markets Association 15th Annual Meeting

The Future for Environmental Finance North America

October 28, 2011
Speaking Engagement

Environmental Law Conference at Yosemite

Strategic Planning for Renewable Energy: The Big Picture

October 21, 2011
Speaking Engagement

Texas-Israel Cleanovation Conference 2011

September 14, 2011
Speaking Engagement

Minnesota Rural Electric Association Energy Issues Summit

Carbon Emissions Litigation: Analysis of the U.S. Supreme Court's Decision in AEP v. Connecticut and the Fourth Circuit's Decision in NC v. TVA

August 11, 2011
Speaking Engagement

Virginia Offshore Wind Conference 2011

June 22, 2011
Speaking Engagement

Climate Finance North America 2011

June 14-15, 2011
Speaking Engagement

Due Diligence for Solar PV Projects Seminar

Project Finance and Ownership Structuring for Solar PV Transaction

June 14-15, 2011
Speaking Engagement

IBEW Utility Conference

March 10, 2011
Results 1-20 of 36
Results 1-20 of 116
Show All
Legal Alert

Swaps End-User Update

Temporary Relief from Swap Data Reporting Requirements for End-Users of Swaps

April 10, 2013
Legal Alert

Swaps End-User Update

Relief from Certain Swap Reporting Requirements for Inter-Affiliate Swaps

April 8, 2013
Legal Alert

Obama Taps Agency Insider to Helm EPA

March 4, 2013
Legal Alert

Environment 2013: Climate Issues

February 11, 2013
Legal Alert

Environment 2013: Clean Air Act Issues

February 4, 2013
Legal Alert

Swaps End-User Update

Clarification Regarding Clearing Requirement Compliance Schedule

October 24, 2012
Legal Alert

The Death of Environmental Common Law?

The Ninth Circuit's Decision in Native Village of Kivalina v. ExxonMobil Corp.

October 3, 2012
Results 1-20 of 116