Van Ness Feldman LLP > Washington DC, United States > Firm Profile

Van Ness Feldman LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Energy > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 2

Van Ness Feldman LLP advises clients through the full lifecycle oil and natural gas infrastructure development process, including on development, permitting, construction, and operation matters, as well as on regulatory compliance and transactional issues. Practice co-head Mona Tandon concentrates her practice on oil and product pipelines as well as on natural gas matters. Co-head Michael Pincus is sought out by clients who are involved in natural gas pipeline projects for his expertise in Natural Gas Act Section 7 certificating. Michael Diamond represents clients before FERC and federal courts of appeals and provides advice on rate and tariff matters. In Houston, Mosby Perrow assists clients with federal regulatory issues related to the natural gas and electric utility industries, including rate matters, pipeline certification, and abandonment proceedings. In 2023, Joseph Hainline joined the team from an in-house position at the US Department of Transportation. All named practitioners are located in the Washington DC office unless stated otherwise.

Industry focus > Native American law Tier 2

The Washington DC-based team at Van Ness Feldman LLP routinely represents tribal governments and businesses with a range of contentious, regulatory, and energy project development mandates. The group is jointly led by Andrew VanderJack, who specializes in the resolution of aboriginal land claims, Indigenous land management, and resource development projects, as well as the defense of Indigenous hunting and fishing rights, and of counsel Laura Jones, who handles economic development mandates, federal regulatory issues, federal-tribal consultation, and civil litigation. Experienced litigator Patrick Daugherty is well-versed in representing tribes and tribally-owned businesses before tribal, state, and federal courts, and has additional expertise advising companies doing business with tribes facing civil and administrative inquiries.

Energy > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 3

With a broad electric power offering, Van Ness Feldman LLP routinely handles regulatory issues pertaining to large-scale transmission projects, interconnection matters, and wholesale market operations, among others. The firm also stands out for its hydropower capabilities, assisting clients with licensing and relicensing as well as representing them before authorities such as FERC and EPA. Joseph Nelson in Washington DC and Malcolm McLellan in Seattle jointly head the electric practice and are well versed in matters spanning the full spectrum of electric power issues, including enforcement actions and investigations. DC’s Mike Swiger, who acts as head of the firm’s hydropower practice, counts investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, and independent power developers among his clients, for whom he handles both non-contentious and litigious matters. Douglas Smith, former General Counsel of FERC, is another key practitioner in the DC regulatory group.

Environment > Environment: regulatory Tier 3

The environment and land, water and natural resources team at Van Ness Feldman LLP offers clients, particularly those from across the automotive, utilities, oil and gas and marine industries, an ‘attentive and reliable service’, which covers air pollution, climate change, permitting, compliance, investigations, resources, hazardous waste, endangered species and clean up. The deep bench include Stephen Fotis, who handles work relating to the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and climate change issues, Britt Fleming, who deals with environmental law and regulation, as well as energy policy and Jonathan Simon, whose practice spans the breadth of natural resources, public lands and energy law and infrastructure projects. Tyson Kade is another name to note, recommended for his work natural resources and energy law. All practitioners mentioned are based in Washington DC.

Government > Government relations Tier 4

Fielding extensive experience in the energy, natural resources, environment, climate change, and native affairs spaces, Van Ness Feldman LLP offers global corporations, investment funds, municipalities, trade associations, and issue advocacy coalitions strategic policy guidance and legislative and regulatory advocacy. Shannon Angielski, who advocates for clean energy, carbon management policies, and federal funding for projects, leads the Washington DC-based team in collaboration with Nancy Macan McNally, whose practice spans healthcare, energy, environment, and transportation. In Seattle, Richard Agnew is frequently retained to advise on federal laws and permits governing energy projects, environmental matters, and the uses of natural resources.