Donna L. Barnett

Donna Barnett is a trusted advocate, guided by a deep understanding of the rules and statutes affecting her energy, utility, and transportation clients' highly regulated businesses.

Donna appears regularly before the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to secure approvals for her clients' regulated activities and to defend them in investigations and enforcement actions. She concentrates on helping energy and utility clients obtain approvals in cost proceedings, property transactions, and mergers. She also counsels companies in other industries such as transportation, telecommunications, and solid waste. Donna is a strong litigator and frequently appears in state court to address allegations related to breaches of contract, lease disputes, the Washington Public Records Act, and administrative appeals.

With more than 30 years of experience in regulated industries, Donna has developed strong relationships with regulators, opposing counsel, and industry leaders. These relationships are helpful as Donna seeks to secure regulatory approvals and demonstrate compliance with complex regulatory obligations.

In addition to achieving litigation successes for clients such as Puget Sound Energy, Cascade Natural Gas Corporation, and Lumen Technologies, Donna assists clients in building innovative systems under new legislative frameworks such as for autonomous vehicles.