John Decker > Vinson & Elkins LLP > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

Vinson & Elkins LLP‘s energy regulatory practice handles transactions and enforcement proceedings alongside transmission projects and rate cases for a variety of clients, often appearing before the DOE, FERC, as well as the PUCT. Houston-based James Seegers and Suzanne Clevenger act as co-heads of the team and have extensive experience advising clients in the energy space. The practice expanded notably at the beginning of 2023 with the addition of a team from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP to the DC office, including FERC experts Jeffrey Jakubiak and William Sherman, with the latter completing the group’s trio of practice heads. John Decker is noted for his expertise in regulatory matters concerning both the electric power and natural gas sectors.

Vinson & Elkins LLP‘s energy regulation and complex commercial litigation practice, which is co-headed by Houston-based lawyers Jay Seegers and Suzanne Clevenger as well as Washington DC-based William Scherman, handles a diverse portfolio of matters that encompasses rate cases, presidential permit applications, compliance issues, and FERC enforcement proceedings. Seegers advises clients on a wide range of complex regulatory issues and federal energy policy trends, while Clevenger’s practice centers around advising clients on FERC regulatory requirements and compliance with FERC regulations, including assisting clients with the creation of regulatory compliance and internal audit programs. Scherman, who joined the firm in February 2023 from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, advises companies on litigation, commercial, regulatory and legislative matters relating to the US and international energy markets. John Decker has expertise in the production and transportation of LNG, the development of gas-fired power plants, and natural gas asset transactions. Monique Watson, who joined from Steptoe LLP in August 2023, offers strategic, policy and legal expertise in all facets of natural gas and oil pipeline regulation, allowing her to handle rate cases and tariff analysis, energy market policy reviews, and transactional matters.