Energy
Troutman Sanders began serving clients in the energy business in the 1920s. Our long-standing familiarity with the industry, and our cutting-edge representations over the years, have made the firm’s Energy Practice Group the leading provider of legal services to the energy and utility industries worldwide. Over the years, we have been engaged by electric and natural gas utilities on virtually every aspect of their businesses, and have played major roles representing clients in high-profile matters such as the California Electricity Crisis, the Eastern Interconnection Blackout of 2003, and in matters surrounding the downfall of Enron.
Clients recognize the value of our service. For two years in a row, in 2006 and 2007, BTI Consulting Group ranked our utilities industry practice as #1 in the United States. We are particularly proud of this ranking because it was based on individual interviews with corporate counsels of Fortune 1000 energy corporations, i.e., our clients. Our success stems from a keen focus on client service and a practical approach to problem solving.
The breadth and depth of our experience and energy practice coverage is significant. Among other areas, our Energy Practice Group specializes in the following practice concentrations:
Our Clients
The firm has represented clients in all aspects of industry operations, financing, contracting, and corporate structuring, as well as on every facet of state, federal, and international energy laws and regulations. The firm’s clients include electric utilities, independent generators and power marketers, natural gas pipelines, local distribution companies, energy commodity shippers, renewable energy suppliers (wind, traditional hydro, hydrokinetic (river and tidal), solar, biomass), energy funds, banks and other financial institutions and investors. We also represent entities that provide goods and services to utilities including EPC contractors and equipment suppliers.
Our Lawyers
Troutman’s Energy Practice Group has built its expertise and influence through the decades by attracting and retaining lawyers who know the field. Many of our lawyers have served at regulatory commissions both at the state and the federal level, and a number have worked “in-house” for electric and gas utilities. Our lawyers also have significant experience doing deals and counseling energy clients on virtually every continent: from combined-cycle generating plants in Russia and cogeneration facilities in Israel, to an IGCC coal gasification plant in Florida, USA. We also provide unparalleled electric and natural gas industry training for our associate attorneys. Clients have commented that these associate attorneys provide excellent service value.
Importantly, Troutman Sanders is second-to-none in the number of firm lawyers dedicated to the energy industry. In addition to our Energy Practice Group, Troutman Sanders’ energy clients benefit from sophisticated representation by lawyers in related practice areas (e.g., environmental, transportation, telecommunications, project development and finance). Because of the firm’s extensive energy practice, individual attorneys in other practice areas have considerable experience working for energy industry clients on various issues and transactions.
Our Publications
Troutman Sanders publishes a weekly report that provides up-to-the-minute details on the latest news in the energy business (Washington Energy Report). Additionally, we publish a monthly newsletter addressing the legal, policy, and financial trends affecting transmission policy development (Transmission Monthly), as well as a periodic update on energy markets in Europe (Energy Market Update).
Troutman Sanders is a proud sponsor of the 2007 Techbridge Digital Ball.