Balch & Bingham Adds Energy Partner Stacie Bennett to Austin, Bolstering Regulatory and Public Policy Depth

Balch & Bingham is pleased to welcome Stacie Bennett as a Partner in the Energy Practice in Austin, Texas.  Stacie represents energy clients before state regulatory agencies, Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and Independent System Operators (ISOs), legislative bodies, and in state and federal courts throughout Texas. Prior to joining Balch, Stacie was the Director of Regulatory Affairs for Lone Star Transmission, a NextEra Energy-owned Texas utility. 

Stacie has a unique background that includes substantial litigation, public policy, and regulatory experience in Texas, representing electric, gas, and water utilities, as well as competitive electric power producers and retailers.   

Stacie actively participates in RTO stakeholder processes at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Southwest Power Pool (SPP). Her experience also includes counseling utilities in all types of regulatory proceedings, including ratemaking, certificates of convenience and necessity (CCNs), and sale, transfer, merger approvals (STMs), and rulemaking proceedings.

Stacie started her legal career litigating cases in New York, New Jersey, and Texas. She represented clients ranging from small, family-owned businesses to Fortune 10 companies in both state and federal courts. She subsequently transitioned to General Counsel for the Texas Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development and then served as Policy Advisor to Texas Governor Greg Abbott. While working for Governor Abbott, Stacie advised the Governor on key policy areas related to electricity, oil and gas, and economic development. She successfully managed multiple legislative stakeholder coalitions and monitored agency policies and rulemakings throughout legislative sessions.
 
“Stacie represents another terrific addition to our growing Austin office. Her background further strengthens our ability to serve the energy sector in Texas.  Our clients will benefit in particular from her strategic counsel on issues that intersect with the regulatory and public policy landscapes,” said Stan Blanton, managing partner. “We are thrilled to welcome her to Balch.”

Stacie grew up in Texas and earned her J.D. from Seton Hall School of Law and her B.S. from the University of Texas at Austin. 

“I have been impressed by the quality of Balch’s energy practice in Texas and elsewhere, both in terms of cutting-edge regulatory guidance and the firm’s leadership on many noteworthy energy and utility matters,” Stacie said. “The firm includes an incredible group of talented energy lawyers and I am looking forward to working alongside them as we help our clients achieve their goals.” 

The firm announced its expansion into Austin in June 2021, with the addition of Energy Partner  Todd Kimbrough, followed by the addition of Environmental and Natural Resources Partner Bryan Moore, and Public Policy and Government Relations Partner, Aaron Gregg. The Austin office marks the firm's second Texas location and 11th office nationwide.

For nearly 100 years, Balch’s energy and environmental practices have been at the forefront of the energy industry and include more than 120 attorneys who provide counsel to investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives, independent power producers, and other businesses and service providers across the U.S. and internationally on regulatory, transactional, and litigated matters. Chambers Global and Chambers USA recognize Balch on a regional, national, and international scale for its leading energy and environmental & natural resources practices.