News

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9 Jan 2012

DLA Piper adds leading energy group to Washington, DC office

Addition creates pre-eminent, full-service energy practice

Press Release

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DLA Piper announced today the addition of top energy lawyers Kevin Lipson, Lee Alexander, Stefan Krantz, Christopher Schindler and John Lilyestrom to the Energy practice group in the Washington, DC office. The group joins DLA Piper from Hogan Lovells, where Lipson served as the practice area leader of the firm’s Energy practice and co-leader of its Global Energy Industry Group.

"These are among the best energy lawyers in the country, and the addition of this dynamic group underscores our commitment to building one of the world’s premier energy practices," said Roger Meltzer, global chair of DLA Piper’s Corporate and Finance practice. "Our clients will benefit greatly from this team’s extensive and impressive regulatory credentials which, combined with our world-class Corporate and Finance practice, creates an unparalleled, full-service energy platform on a global scale."

Regarded as one of the pre-eminent energy practices in the country, the team brings vast experience to DLA Piper’s existing energy practice. The group represents interstate natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, local distribution companies, investor-owned electric utilities, alternative energy project developments, shale oil and natural gas developers, storage companies, financial institutions, energy trading platforms and LNG project participants.

"Given their sterling reputation, this group enhances our capabilities at a time of extraordinary change and opportunity in the energy industry," said Robert Gruendel, global chair of DLA Piper’s Energy practice. "With their extensive backgrounds in energy regulation and knowledge of multiple energy sources – including natural gas, power and LNG – we are able to expand our energy platform to better serve clients seeking the most sophisticated guidance in this rapidly changing space."

"DLA Piper’s global footprint and practice breadth provide a robust platform from which to serve the evolving and highly complex needs of our clients. We are thrilled to be joining the firm at such an exciting time in its continued growth and development," said Lipson.

Alexander added: "The quality of the lawyers at DLA Piper, and the breadth of their capability to meet the needs of energy companies across a range of sectors, was extremely compelling as we look to provide our clients an ideal platform from which to advance their business objectives."

About the Lawyers

Kevin Lipson’s practice focuses on energy-related enforcement and compliance issues that arise before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Kevin has a deep background in the full range of regulatory issues that routinely confront energy companies, and has litigated some of the most significant cases in the industry from pipeline rate cases to allegations of market manipulation.

Lipson earned his J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis and his B.A. from George Washington University.

Lee Alexander served as FERC Deputy Chief of Staff and has vast experience in negotiating the regulatory process to help clients achieve their business objectives. He is routinely active in energy project development and regulatory initiatives.

Alexander earned his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and his B.S., honors with distinction, from Pennsylvania State University.

Stefan Krantz has earned a national reputation for his work on complex regulatory litigation and has served as counsel to many of the largest energy projects developed in the last decade. He has received national recognition for his commitment to client service.

Krantz earned his J.D. from American University and his B.S., cum laude, from Cornell University.

Christopher Schindler is the architect of some of the most creative natural gas storage projects in the nation, and he has particular experience in mid-stream activities, energy trading and CFTC matters.

Schindler earned his J.D., with honors, from George Washington University, his M.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University and his B.A., cum laude, from Vanderbilt University.

John Lilyestrom is a leading authority on power generation, transmission, regional transmission organizations and reliability. He is a skilled negotiator and active in all aspects of electricity issues.

He earned his J.D. from the University of Maryland and his B.A. from Harvard University.