LAWYER PROFILE
Christopher Polito

Christopher Polito

Global 2026

Chambers ranking badge
Chambers ranking badge

Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Vinson & Elkins LLP

Practice Areas

C.J. represents clients on a variety of regulatory, enforcement, compliance and transactional matters involving the U.S. wholesale electricity and natural gas markets. He has extensive experience representing clients in regulatory proceedings and investigations before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and state energy regulatory agencies. C.J. regularly advises clients on physical and financial wholesale power transactions, mergers and asset acquisition approvals, regional energy market rules and tariff requirements, power purchase and sale agreements, and issues related to the design and operation of wholesale energy and capacity markets. He also advises energy companies, marketers, financial institutions, private equity funds and institutional investors and advisors on regulatory requirements under the Federal Power Act, the Public Utility Holding Company Act, the Natural Gas Act, and the creation and implementation of robust compliance programs.

C.J.’s practice focuses on federal energy regulatory matters related to the development, ownership and operation of electric generation and transmission projects. He counsels clients on energy regulatory issues related to various types of transactions involving electric projects. C.J. also advises clients on wholesale market participation rules and ongoing compliance with applicable FERC requirements.

C.J. has been recognized by Chambers Global in Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation) (USA, 2022–2026) and by Chambers USA in Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation) (Nationwide, 2021–2026). Clients describe C.J. as “very communicative” further noting that “he provides a great work product” (Chambers Global, 2025).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation) - USA

Band 4
Band 4

Individual Editorial
Christopher Polito is adept at representing major energy clients before FERC. He is noted for his experience handling tariff and cost matters, as well as non-public investigations.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • He is fast, pragmatic and insightful.

    Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation)Chambers Global Guide

Ranked Individuals at Vinson & Elkins LLP (57)

Global Market Leaders

Ireland

Latin America - International Counsel

UK

United Arab Emirates

USA

  • Profile image of T Mark Kelly
    T Mark Kelly

    Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Central United States

    View profile
  • Profile image of David Oelman
    David Oelman

    Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Central United States

    View profile
  • Profile image of Douglas E McWilliams
    Douglas E McWilliams

    Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Central United States

    View profile
  • Profile image of Sarah Morgan
    Sarah Morgan

    Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Central United States

    View profile
  • Profile image of Ramey Layne
    Ramey Layne

    Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Central United States

    View profile
  • Profile image of Michael S Telle
    Michael S Telle

    Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Central United States

    View profile
  • Profile image of David Stone
    David Stone

    Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Central United States

    View profile
  • Profile image of Jackson O'Maley
    Jackson O'Maley

    Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Central United States

    View profile
  • Profile image of Thomas G Zentner III
    Thomas G Zentner III

    Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Central United States

    View profile
  • Profile image of T Mark Kelly
    T Mark Kelly

    Corporate/M&A (International & Cross-Border)

    View profile
  • Profile image of Keith Fullenweider
    Keith Fullenweider

    Corporate/M&A (International & Cross-Border)

    View profile
  • Profile image of Jeffrey M Jakubiak
    Jeffrey M Jakubiak

    Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation)

    View profile

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership