Patrick Leahy

Energy Litigation, Energy Regulatory, Infrastructure, Global Projects, Regulatory

Patrick Leahy advises clients in a range of energy regulatory, administrative law, and civil litigation matters at the state and federal levels. He has represented all parts of the electricity value chain, including generators, storage, utilities, and retail electric providers before the Public Utility Commission of Texas. He also has experience representing regulated entities before the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. He has advised natural gas utilities and regulated midstream pipelines on compliance obligations and in rate proceedings before the Railroad Commission of Texas.

Mr. Leahy has first and second chair litigation experience, including oral argument, dispositive motions, preparation and examination of expert witnesses, taking and defending depositions, all phases of discovery including eDiscovery, appellate briefing, and acting as lead attorney in mediations. Mr. Leahy has sat first chair in contested cases before the State Office of Administrative Hearings and obtained several favorable outcomes. He also has extensive experience with judicial review of agency action before District Courts and Courts of Appeals. In particular, Mr. Leahy was the lead subject matter attorney in bet-the-company litigation concerning proposed repricing of the ERCOT market in the aftermath of Winter Storm Uri, litigation in which he helped obtain a favorable ruling from the Supreme Court of Texas.

In addition to his litigation work, Mr. Leahy also represents buyers and sellers in transactions involving generators, storage, and large loads, including data centers in the ERCOT footprint. Mr. Leahy has an intimate knowledge of the ERCOT market structure, as well as the interconnection process for new generation, storage, and large loads, allowing him to advise developers as they develop, sell, or purchase projects. He also provides ongoing regulatory advice to market participants inside and outside ERCOT.

Following graduation from law school, Mr. Leahy served as term clerk to the Honorable Andrew W. Austin, United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. He was a member of the 2015 class of Leadership for Austin's Emerge program for young professionals. Before law school, Mr. Leahy taught high school social studies at PSJA Memorial High School in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, through Teach for America.

State Bar of Texas

United States District Courts for the Southern and Western Districts of Texas

Texas Wholesale Electricity Market Redesign, Energy Update, Quarter 2

2023 Energy Litigation Outlook, Energy Litigation Update, January 2023

Texas RRC Amends Rule on Critical Designation of Natural Gas Infrastructure, Energy Regulatory Update, November 2022