Energy and Utilities
Snell & Wilmer’s energy and utilities practice dates back to the 1930’s when we assisted in combining a small number of electric utilities into what is now the largest electric utility in Arizona. Since then our energy and utilities practice has expanded throughout the west. Our attorneys have represented some of the largest energy and utility companies in the country. Our practice group has experience in virtually all facets of the energy and utilities industry and includes a former Nevada Public Utilities Commission administrative law judge, a former Natural Resources Energy Policy Advisor to the Governor of Colorado, a former Western Electric Coordinating Council regulatory enforcement case manager and several former public utility and mining company General Counsels. The variety of perspective and experience of our attorneys makes our group uniquely qualified to provide legal services to our energy and utility clients.
Our energy and utilities attorneys have represented electric, gas, water, sewer, renewables, telecommunications and developer clients in virtually all aspects of their businesses. We strive to provide our clients with counsel and representation that takes into consideration their short and long-term goals in industries that tend to be highly regulated and of great public interest. A sample of the services that we have provided includes:
Strategic Advice and Planning: Our attorneys help executive teams and boards of directors understand, develop and execute plans for conducting business in regulated industries.
Regulatory: We represent energy and utilities clients in regulatory proceedings as well as related litigations and appeals. These proceedings include ratemakings, rulemakings, investigations, line and facility sitings, prudence audits, merger and asset approvals and customer complaints.
Corporate Services: We represent energy and utilities clients in many of the corporate legal needs that they have that require an understanding of the unique circumstances of being regulated entities. These services include SEC reporting requirement matters, executive compensation and employee benefits, and labor negotiations and relations.
Due Diligence and Contract Reviews: We conduct due diligence and contract reviews in transactions that involve the purchase, sale or investment in energy and utilities companies or their assets. We also represent clients in negotiating purchase power agreements.
Renewable Energy Projects: We represent parties who are involved in the financing, development, siting, construction and operation of renewable energy facilities in their regulatory permitting and approval requirements.
Infrastructure Development and Project Finance: Our attorneys assist with the structuring, development, building, financing, acquisition or sale of oil and gas projects (including pipelines and refineries) throughout the west and beyond.
Our attorneys represent energy developers, telecommunications businesses, and public and private entities in many types of transactions in or related to the energy and utility industries. We represent large utilities, small utilities, alternative energy developers and providers, traditional energy producers and service companies, tribal entities, water companies and utility customers.
The firm’s clients include electric utilities (both investor-owned and publicly-owned), independent generators and power marketers, natural gas pipelines, local distribution companies, energy commodity shippers, renewable energy suppliers (wind, traditional hydro, hydrokinetic, solar and biomass), energy funds, banks and other financial institutions and investors. We also represent entities that provide goods and services to utilities including engineering, procurement and construction contractors and equipment suppliers.
Knowledgeable and Client-Focused: Our energy and utility clients rely on our strong understanding of applicable law combined with a practical approach tailored to their business objectives and concerns. We strive for and emphasize cost-effective and reasonable outcomes.
Comprehensive Service: When necessary, our energy and utilities lawyers are able to call upon Snell & Wilmer attorneys who practice in a broad range of legal services applicable to energy and utility companies, including real estate, environmental, business and finance, tax and labor relations. Because many of our clients have multi-state projects or interests, we have experienced energy and utility attorneys practicing in our Arizona, California, Nevada, Colorado and Utah offices.
