McGuireWoods Washington, D.C., partner David Martin Connelly co-authored a profile of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chair Laura Swett for the Energy Bar Association.
Connelly collaborated with Gary E. Guy, assistant general counsel of Exelon Corporation, to interview Swett for the May 18, 2026, article on the association’s blog.
The article details how Swett grew up as the daughter of a Vietnamese refugee, practiced FERC law for 15 years and has led the commission since October 2025. Swett also shares her vision for what she hopes to achieve in the role, emphasizing her commitment to building lasting physical infrastructure. She calls pipelines “the backbone of our economy” and declares herself “passionate” about expediting increased pipeline capacity.
Connelly, a nationally recognized energy regulatory lawyer, represents electric utilities and other industry clients before FERC. He is the immediate past president of the Foundation of the Energy Law Journal, and a past president of both the Energy Bar Association and the Charitable Foundation of the Energy Bar Association.