For decades, Heller Ehrman has been at the forefront of major industry developments affecting energy providers, marketers and consumers, particularly in matters relating to project development and finance, industry regulation, re-structuring, privatization and consolidation (including mergers and acquisitions work).

We work with clients from all parts of the electric power, natural gas and oil sectors. Heller Ehrman has the largest new energy technologies practice of any law firm in the United States. We also represent major U.S. and overseas equity investors, financial institutions and lenders in project finance and new technologies matters. Our experience on behalf of energy clients includes all aspects of project finance, federal and state regulation, energy strategy, project development, project finance and commercial transactions.

Facts About Our Practice

• Feature a highly experienced team of energy attorneys, nearly half of whom are "alumni" of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC); others have held high-level positions at the Federal Trade Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Heller Ehrman attorneys have also worked in Congress, for state energy and utilities commissions, and as in-house counsel for electric and gas utilities.
• Offer a major project finance and development practice for all types of electric power generation (coal, gas, hydro, wind, solar, and other renewables), transmission and distribution facilities, as well as oil and gas pipelines. We represent both "company-side" and "financing-side" clients, including both U.S. and overseas entities.
• Recognized as leaders in matters relating to industry restructuring. Our attorneys were actively involved in the FERC rulemakings that led to the deregulation and/or restructuring of both the natural gas and electric markets.
• Follow closely and take part in legislative developments. We have drafted and lobbied with respect to several federal and state statutes relating to power sales and power projects, including the Northwest Power Act.
• Involved in some of the highest profile energy litigation matters of the last two decades, from the Exxon Valdez oil spill to California's electricity market crisis to the collapse of Enron.

Our Capabilities

Project Development & Finance

We represent project developers, owners and lenders in the development and financing of power projects and industrial facilities. Our experience includes involvement in most types of generation projects, including wind, landfill methane, nuclear, geothermal, cogeneration, hydroelectric and gas-fired and coal-fired facilities. We serve as both project counsel and as finance counsel on these projects, and we serve as tax counsel for projects of all types.

Mergers & Acquisitions and Strategic Alliances

Our attorneys negotiate, finance and secure regulatory approval (where needed) for mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, LLCs and other alliances. We are also involved in the acquisition and disposition of numerous energy projects through open and closed auctions and one-on-one negotiations.

Commercial Transactions

Our attorneys have extensive experience negotiating power supply, distribution and related agreements in connection with these transactions. We have experience on all sides of transactions between sellers and purchasers of electricity, gas and oil. 

Energy Strategy and Government Relations

We advise clients on strategy and the regulatory implications of proposed transactions. Our attorneys closely monitor developments in the law and counsel clients on the implications of new rules and legislation. We also represent clients before Congress, the executive branch, state legislatures, federal and state agencies, and international organizations.

Litigation

We represent energy clients in antitrust, environmental and contract actions and in insurance coverage matters, complex litigation and disputes arising out of development projects. We litigate contested proceedings in federal and state courts and before federal and state administrative bodies, and also handle appellate work, including to the U.S. Supreme Court.