Dan Watkiss
Partner
Karen Bishop
202.828.5800 x5856
Jeffrey D. Watkiss represents clients in energy and related industries, including power companies; exploration, production and mid-market companies; natural gas pipelines; power and liquefied natural gas project developers; lenders; governments; and regulators. Two significant areas of his practice focus on antitrust and competition issues, and counseling power and natural gas companies on designing and implementing best-in-class legal and regulatory compliance programs.
Mr. Watkiss represents clients in transactions, investigations, complex litigation and appeals in state and federal courts, and before administrative agencies, arbitral panels, the U.S. Congress and the executive branch. He worked extensively on Title XII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and Title VII of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, both of which substantially reformed the regulation and structure of the U.S. electric services industry.
From 1982 through 1986, Mr. Watkiss advised and represented the general counsel of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on the regulation of natural gas pipelines, electric utility companies and hydroelectric licensees. During this period, he served as the government's lead counsel on first impression cases involving decommissioning offshore natural gas systems and on electric utility investments in, and ownership of, fuel production and delivery companies.
Mr. Watkiss is a contributor to Electric Light & Power magazine. He originated Bracewell & Giuliani LLP's Energy Legal Blog and continues to be a frequent contributor to that web site.
Representative Matters
Several national power and natural gas marketing companies in developing best-in-class regulatory compliance programs.
Major West Coast electric power supplier Coral Power LLC in a dispute with the State of California over an 11-year, $400million (net present value) power sales contract, 2003 to 2004.
Public Service Enterprise Group Power in dispute with Consolidated Edison Co. of New York in connection with an innovative project to bring power via a submarine cable into midtown Manhattan, 2004.
Diamond Generating company regarding various power projects in the Southwest, 2003 to present.
Publications and Speeches
"Not Your Granddad's Power Industry: Effects of the New Energy Law," Electric Light & Power, November/December, 2005.
"Energy Bill Aims to Connect Cost, Price & Consumption," Electric Light & Power, September/October, 2005.
"21st Century Basics: Hunting Earnings in Mergers & Acquisitions," Electric Light & Power, July/August, 2005.
"Will Rising Interest Rates Confine Basics to a Widow's and Orphan's Portfolio?" Electric Light & Power, May/June, 2005.
Education
J.D., University of Utah School of Law, 1980
A.B., Stanford University, 1975
Bar Admissions
New York
District of Columbia
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, District of Columbia and Federal Circuits
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
U.S. Supreme Court
Affiliations
Energy Bar Association
American Civil Liberties Union