Kimberly Frank, an electricity regulatory attorney who regularly appears before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), has joined McCarter & English’s Environment and Energy Practice Group as a partner. From the firm’s Washington, D.C. office, she will continue to represent clients in a broad array of regulatory matters, including the design of wholesale electric power markets, and in appellate matters arising from agency decisions.
Frank’s arrival signals the continuation of the firm’s steady expansion of its Environment and Energy Practice Group. It follows close on the heels of the 2014 addition of the 14 lawyers of Miller, Balis & O’Neil, a Washington-based boutique that for three decades had represented energy clients in regulatory, transactional, government relations and appellate litigation matters, and the recent addition of Tricia Caliguire, who was chief counsel to New Jersey’s Board of Public Utilities and, before that, environmental and energy policy adviser to Gov. Chris Christie.
“Kimberly’s experience and capabilities broaden the reach of our energy practice,” said Ira Gottlieb, firm-wide leader of the practice group. “At the same time, they complement our existing strengths in energy policy and regulation perfectly. Kimberly offers our clients expertise in a niche area that is a key piece in the energy landscape.”
Frank has represented state regulatory entities before FERC for more than a decade. Her experience includes counseling state commission clients about the economics of complex power markets, and the market rules affecting price, competition and reliability. States seek assistance when energy markets fail to ensure access to reasonably priced, reliable electric service or work at cross-purposes with state energy and environmental policies.
In this context, Frank advises state commissions on a variety of high-stakes issues related to capacity markets across the country, and represents state commissions in litigation that covers the spectrum of capacity market rules. Her practice also focuses on renewable power, helping developers of wind power assemble procedures for connecting to transmission systems, and other regulatory issues related to federal and state-regulated electric power transactions. She counsels clients on compliance and regulatory issues.
“Kimberly adds capabilities – in an area in which she’s a leading player – and at the same time she enhances our strongest skill sets,” said John Gregg, managing partner of McCarter’s D.C. office and a partner in its Environment and Energy Practice Group. “She’s a perfect fit for this office and for our practice.”
Added Michael P. Kelly, the firm’s chairman: “We recognize that our clients face new challenges and opportunities in this dynamic energy and environmental landscape – and we continue to meet our clients’ needs by enhancing our capabilities in these important practice areas.”
Source: www.mccarter.com
