Michael W. Patten, Partner at our Phoenix law office
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Michael W. Patten

Partner
Biography

Michael Patten focuses his practice in the areas of public utilities, energy, and telecommunications. He appears regularly before the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) on matters involving public utilities, electricity, water and wastewater, transmission and generation facilities, renewable energy, solar energy, energy storage, battery storage, interconnection, energy efficiency, gas distribution and telecommunications. He has participated as first chair counsel in numerous ACC proceedings including rate cases, mergers and acquisitions, financings, line sitings, service area extensions, formal complaints, rulemakings, and policy dockets.

Through his decades of experience, Michael provides prompt, thoughtful, efficient and effective guidance with respect to a myriad of utility regulatory issues. He also has extensive litigation experience related to these and other areas of law.

Credentials

Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona


Education

  • Harvard Law School (J.D.)
    • Executive Editor, Harvard Environmental Law Review
  • Claremont McKenna College (B.A., Biology, summa cum laude)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Communications Law, Energy Law, Administrative/Regulatory Law (2007-2025); Utilities Law (2025)
    • Phoenix Lawyer of the Year, Utilities Law (2022, 2024)
    • Phoenix Lawyer of the Year, Administrative/Regulatory Law (2016, 2018, 2020,2024)
    • Phoenix Lawyer of the Year, Communications Law (2014, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023)
    • Phoenix Lawyer of the Year, Energy Law (2012, 2015, 2025)
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Utilities, Energy & Natural Resources, Communications (2010-2012), Utilities (2007)
  • AZ Business Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Energy (2014)

Representative Experience

  • Represented electric, gas, water, and wastewater utilities in numerous rate case proceedings before the Arizona Corporation Commission
  • Represented utilities in rulemaking and policy proceedings before the Arizona Corporation Commission regarding a variety of issues, including renewable portfolio standards, energy efficiency, interconnection requirements, competitive telecommunications, consumer privacy and protection, electric vehicles, small water company acquisitions, certificates of convenience and retail electric competition.
  • Provided advice and obtained necessary regulatory approvals regarding various utility-related transactions, including mergers and acquisitions and financings
  • Represented telecommunication providers before the Arizona Corporation Commission in obtaining certificates of convenience and necessity (CC&N) and Eligible Telecommunication Carrier (ETC) designations

Previous Professional Experience

  • Roshka DeWulf & Patten, Member (2001-2015)
  • Brown & Bain, Partner (1986-2001)
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona, Law Clerk to the Honorable Charles L. Hardy (1984-1986)

Community Involvement

  • Newtown Community Development Corporation and Community Land Trust, Board Member (2004-2012, 2018-present)
  • Wildfire (formerly Arizona Community Action Association), Board Member (2013-2018, 2019-present)
  • Maricopa County Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program (adult guardianship matter) (2018-2019)
  • Tempe Community Council, Former President and Board Member (1996-2003)
  • City of Tempe, Transportation Commission, Former Chairman and Commissioner (1998-2004)
  • City of Tempe, Planning and Zoning Commission, Former Chairman and Commissioner (1990-1997)

Representative Presentations and Publications

  • Coal Communities’ Transition in Arizona Getting More Attention,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil & Gas Law Blog (April 5, 2021)
  • “Water Planning and its Impact on Water Utilities,” Presenter, Arizona Water Laws and Regulations Seminar, HalfMoon Education Inc. (January 17, 2014)
  • “Water Utility Regulation,” Presenter, Arizona Water Laws and Regulations Seminar, HalfMoon Education Inc. (January 17, 2014)
  • “Rulemaking and Regulatory Agencies in Arizona,” Author, Arizona Environmental Law Manual, State Bar of Arizona (1995)
  • Arizona Environmental Law Handbook, Co-Author and Co-Editor, Government Institutes, Inc. (1993)