Elaine is chair of the firm’s Regulatory and Compliance Department. She devotes her practice to energy and utility regulation, primarily in administrative proceedings before the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
Elaine has served as lead counsel for electric and natural gas utility clients in complex regulatory litigation, including numerous base rate, fuel cost, and rider recovery proceedings, requests for certificates of public convenience and necessity for electric and gas infrastructure projects, renewable portfolio standard programs, retail choice matters, and financing and affiliates act approvals. Elaine also has led teams in annual proceedings under the Virginia Clean Economy Act to expand renewable energy in the state, including development of one of the largest solar fleets in the country. She frequently advises clients on discovery issues, codes of conduct and affiliate transactions, and other regulatory compliance matters.
Elaine formerly served as a member of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion and Recruiting Committees and was co-chair of the Women Lawyers Network.
- Lead outside counsel for electric and natural gas utilities in multiple general ratemaking proceedings before state regulatory commissions.
- Lead outside counsel for electric and natural gas utilities in proceedings to obtain certificates of public convenience and necessity for regulated infrastructure projects.
- Lead outside counsel for electric utility in annual proceedings to certify and recover costs of new solar and energy storage facilities and power purchase agreements and certify compliance with renewable portfolio standard program requirements.
- Lead outside counsel for electric utility in annual proceedings to recover fuel expenses and obtaining authority to securitize deferred fuel costs.
- Lead outside counsel for electric utility in annual proceedings to recover environmental remediation costs.
- Lead outside counsel for electric utility in proceedings concerning retail choice matters.
- Lead outside counsel for electric and natural gas utilities in proceedings for approval of affiliate agreements, asset transfers, and financing applications.
- Represent utilities in proceedings to obtain regulatory approvals for merger of utility holding companies in multiple jurisdictions.
Events
- Speaker, Leadership Conference for Women in Energy, McGuireWoods, November 4-5, 2019
- Named “Lawyer of the Year,” Richmond, Energy Regulatory Law, 2026, Best Lawyers
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Named a Client Service “All-Star,” 2024, BTI Consulting