Clark Hill today announced that Joseph Donovan has joined the firm as a Member in the Environment, Energy & Natural Resources practice in the firm’s Washington, DC office. Donovan is a leading energy lawyer with over 20 years of experience across all energy platforms on an international scale. Prior to joining Clark Hill Donovan was a partner in Holland & Knight’s Public Policy & Regulation Group in the Washington, DC office.
“Having worked as both in-house counsel at Exelon and as outside counsel representing major global energy clients, Joe brings a distinctive, client-focused perspective to the practice,” said Kenneth von Schaumburg, co-leader of Clark Hill’s Environment, Energy & Natural Resources practice. “His expertise across energy sectors, including renewable, nuclear, and natural gas on a global scale will provide a boost to our clients grappling with complex, broad-reaching issues that require someone with Joe’s in-depth experience.”
Donovan represents privately and publicly held companies, municipalities and nonprofit organizations in complex transactions, litigation matters, and regulatory advocacy, in issues related to the generation and transmission of electricity, transport of oil and natural gas and development of LNG facilities. He also advises renewable, nuclear, natural gas and other power generation developers, electric transmission owners, interstate oil and natural gas pipeline owners, LNG developers, landfill renewable gas project developers and project financing entities.
“As we continue to expand our Washington, DC team across capabilities, industries, and practices, Joe is a great addition,” said Thomas Ragland, Member in Charge of Clark Hill’s Washington, DC office. “Joe’s background is an excellent complement to our practice in DC and globally, and our clients will benefit significantly from his experience.”
In addition to his energy experience, Donovan supports companies with emerging technologies in the development of their international go-to-market strategies and capitalization efforts. He has supported emerging companies in the clean hydrogen energy, finance/banking, water, waste management, plastic recycling, internet and data connectivity, aerospace design, and cellular app processing sectors.
“I was attracted to Clark Hill because of its focus on the energy sector and global reach, and its strong reputation in the market,” Donovan said. “The firm is a great fit for my practice and I look forward to being part of Clark Hill’s high-quality team across practices, including energy, government & regulatory affairs, corporate, and litigation.”
He formerly worked as assistant general counsel at Exelon Corp., one of the largest integrated energy companies in the U.S. While at Exelon, he directed FERC and state regulatory advocacy in the New England, New York, and Southeast regions, and created and implemented litigation and outreach strategies related to FERC Office of Enforcement investigations. Donovan was responsible for overseeing a team of internal and external counsel, compliance managers and commercial personnel responsible for implementing risk-mitigation strategies. He also served as chair of Exelon’s corporate retail compliance committee and was lead regulatory and compliance counsel for several mergers and acquisitions involving generation facilities, demand response business, and retail commodity suppliers.
Donovan earned a J.D at Washburn University School of Law, and a B.A. at Washburn University. He was named to the Irish Legal 100 in 2019 and early on in his career was named an “Up and Coming Individual” by Chambers USA Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Center for Religion & Diplomacy, a member of the Energy Bar Association and the American Bar Association, and a former co-chair of the Retail Energy Suppliers Association (RESA) Committee on State Regulatory Compliance.
