Steptoe & Johnson LLP is pleased to announce the further expansion of its premier Energy Group with the arrival of William Keyser as a partner in the firm’s Washington office. Keyser focuses his practice on federal electric regulation and litigation and transactions involving the nation’s electricity and capacity markets. His arrival follows that of Donna Byrne and John Perkins, who joined Steptoe’s Energy Group in February. Keyser joins from the Washington office of K&L Gates.
“Will is another fantastic addition to our preeminent Energy Group, which has been helping clients with their most challenging regulatory issues for more than four decades,” said Steptoe Chair Phil West. “Will has broad experience representing electric companies, focusing on renewable generation and new technologies, including energy storage technologies, and he’ll add further depth to our electric practice. With Will’s arrival we’ve added 10 energy partners and counsel over the past five years, and he further reinforces our commitment to providing the very best regulatory counseling and litigation defense available.”
Keyser represents clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Department of Energy, federal and state courts and state public utility commissions. His clients include electric utilities, transmission providers, independent power providers, and energy storage developers. Keyser helps clients address the ever-changing landscape of the energy grid. His practice includes integrating new technology into clients’ portfolios and understanding the application of new market rules to their operations. He has represented and counseled clients on an extensive array of matters including mergers and acquisitions, transmission rates and cost allocation, interconnection procedures, market-based and cost-based sales of energy, and participation in regional transmission organizations. Keyser has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for the past three years.
Keyser commented: “Steptoe has long been regarded for having a best-in-class regulated industries practice. The firm’s Energy Group is stellar. I’ve worked with several members of the team in the past and am excited to partner with them. Steptoe is the perfect fit for my growing practice.”
Steptoe has one of the most respected energy practices in the United States. For nearly a decade, the practice and its lawyers have received the highest rankings in the legal directories Chambers and The Legal 500. In the 2020 guides, Steptoe was the only firm to receive top-tier rankings from Chambers USA in both the nationwide electric and pipeline categories, and the only firm to receive top-tier rankings in electric litigation and regulation and pipeline regulation by both Chambers and The Legal 500.
Keyser received his B.S. from Pennsylvania State University and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina. Prior to going into private practice, Keyser served as a law clerk for the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board Panel.
