Bracewell LLP represents large energy companies as both plaintiffs and defendants in high-profile and complex litigation. The firm is adept at handling disputes ranging from contracts and pricing through to infrastructure developments, as well as work in front of state and federal regulatory bodies. Stephen Crain leads the team from Houston, as an experienced litigator, representing developers, producers and suppliers in the electric power industry in cases ranging from personal injury to property loss. Washington-based Michael Brooks focuses on commodities and derivatives within the electricity market. Houston’s Bradley Benoit is experienced in representing both sides in commercial disputes, whilst Deanna King inAustin concentrates on advising domestic and foreign clients on regulatory compliance and any associated litigation.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Bracewell has a strong energy regulatory group, especially electric power. They have a deep understanding of the business and the regulatory structure. They also frequently appear before the relevant regulatory agencies and understand well the priorities of those regulators.’
‘Michael Brooks is excellent. He has great experience with the agencies and effectively advocates for his clients.’
Key clients
- Alliance of Cooperative Energy Services Power Marketing LLC
- Apache Corporation
- Arroyo Investors
- Avangrid, Inc.
- Central Maine Power Company
- Chevron USA, Inc.
- Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC
- Equinor Wind Services LLC
- New York State Electric & Gas Corporation and Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation
- Powerex Corp.
Work highlights
- Secured a win on behalf of numerous defendants and in In re Winter Storm Litigation, in which hundreds of cases were consolidated and more than 4 million plaintiffs sought damages arising from Winter Storm Uri.
- Conducted a confidential internal investigation into allegations of an international conspiracy to commit accounting fraud and bribery in connection with a costly infrastructure project that impacted ratepayers, on behalf of a multinational power company.
- Acted as Powerex’s US legal advisor in negotiations and proceedings related to wholesale electricity market activity, including the establishment of legal and regulatory frameworks for cross-border participation in newly organized wholesale electricity markets in the western United States.
Lawyers
Practice head
Stephen Crain
Other key lawyers
Catherine McCarthy; Deanna King; Michael Brooks; Bradley Benoit; Rachel Goldman; Tyler Johnson