USA Guide 2026 : California
Ranked Individuals
Provided by Stoel Rives LLP
Stoel Rives’ California Energy & Natural Resources team advises clients across the energy sector on complex regulatory matters at the federal, state, and local levels. The practice leverages decades of experience before public utilities commissions, energy commissions, independent system operators, regional transmission organizations, and other regulatory bodies to guide clients through California’s highly regulated and evolving energy landscape.
The team represents a broad range of market participants, including project developers, utilities, large commercial and industrial energy users, power producers, and pipeline owners. It is recognized for providing strategic, forward-looking counsel on regulatory policy, market developments, and legislative initiatives, helping clients navigate siting and permitting requirements, resource procurement, environmental compliance, and energy market participation. The group also regularly advises on transmission planning, interconnection, and reliability matters, and closely monitors regulatory and legislative developments to support clients’ position in California’s dynamic energy market.
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The team at Stoel Rives LLP is noted for its extensive experience handling CPUC proceedings and approvals relating to major projects. The team provides strategic advice to energy sector clients across a range of different issues, demonstrating a particular strength in rate cases and interconnection mandates.
Provided by Chambers
Stoel Rives LLP has represented Air Products and Chemicals in an endeavour to prevent monopolisation within the natural gas utility space, via challenging other entities' applications for regulatory approvals before the CPUC.
Provided by Chambers
Two things distinguish Stoel Rives; the depth of their expertise in regulatory law, and their collegial and highly focused work ethic.
The lawyers at Stoel Rives have a proven record of handling very complex regulatory matters in a focused and successful manner, by working collaboratively with their clients and aligned counsel and parties.
The counsel at Stoel Rives are exceptionally aware of industry developments and quick to seek advantages for their clients.
Energy work requires an understanding of a variety of disciplines, including economics, finance, engineering, and policy. It is hard to find experienced attorneys capable of working with such complex matters. This firm has those types of attorneys.
Throughout our cases, the firm has demonstrated a strong command of California regulatory requirements, tight project management, and the ability to align legal, technical, and policy elements into a cohesive and effective filing strategy.
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Seth Hilton is recognized for his practice advising energy and technology companies on a diverse range of issues, notably regarding interconnection matters. He regularly appears before the CPUC and CEC.
Seth Hilton has exceptional abilities as an advocate and adviser, a strong work ethic and tremendous loyalty to his clients. He also has a wonderful commercial sense that makes him invaluable to business clients.
Seth Hilton is highly intelligent, convivial and acutely aware of regulatory and legal developments affecting his clients. He is a professional's professional and an extreme pleasure with whom to work.
Seth is very attentive to our needs and helps facilitate our decision-making process with timely updates and pertinent pros and cons.
Lilly McKenna is noted for her work representing eminent energy sector clients before the CPUC across a range of issues. She further assists them in ensuring compliance with state energy policies.
Energy: State Regulatory & Litigation
Energy: State Regulatory & Litigation
Provided by Stoel Rives LLP
Lilly McKenna
View profile of Lilly McKenna
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