Balch Partners Named to Lawdragon 500 Leading Energy Lawyers of America List

David Martin Connelly, partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office and member of the Energy Practice, and Stephen Gidiere, partner in the firm’s Birmingham office and member of the Environmental & Natural Resources Practice, were recently honored in the “2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Energy Lawyers” guide to the most outstanding energy attorneys in the country.

The 2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Energy Lawyers list recognizes the nation’s top advisors on energy issues. This year’s edition recognizes lawyers with a deep bench of experience representing corporations in everything from oil and gas, wind, water, nuclear, solar or mined energy.

With more than 20 years of experience, Dave advises electric utilities and their affiliates on legal and policy matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and U.S. Courts of Appeals.  Recognized by Chambers USA and The Legal 500 for his energy regulatory experience, Dave’s practice focuses on electric transmission matters, including open-access transmission service, cost-of-service rates for transmission and ancillary services, incentive transmission rates, generation and transmission interconnection matters, and the provision of wholesale distribution service, both in bilateral and organized markets. He regularly advises on transmission and generation interconnection issues associated with renewable development and also advises on North American Electric Reliability Corporation compliance matters, including self-reports, spot checks, formal audits and cybersecurity issues.

Stephen has over two decades of experience successfully litigating environmental and natural resources cases against the federal government and non-governmental organizations in federal district courts, U.S. Courts of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He represents businesses, local governments, and trade associations in environmental litigation, including enforcement actions, under federal environmental statutes including the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and the Endangered Species Act in courts around the country. He also routinely handles challenges to agency rulemakings and other actions under those laws.