James H. Hancock Jr.

As a hydropower lawyer, I represent licensees and other entities who have an interest in any issue related to a hydroelectric project. Though many of these issues can involve licensing proceedings before FERC, they also include other issues such as environmental compliance, water supply, water and riparian rights, and flood control. While FERC licensees tend to have the most legal needs associated with these issues, anyone who has an interest in water can need legal support in order to protect their rights and take advantage of opportunities. I also work with clients with respect to federal political law issues such as Lobbying Disclosure Act compliance and federal campaign finance law.

Though the practice of law is very demanding and time consuming, I believe it is important for my family and me to be involved in organizations that help make the community a better place to live. In recent years, I have been active on numerous United Way committees, worked with my son’s Boy Scout troop, and served my church as a vestryman and senior warden. I also serve as the chancellor (general counsel) to the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. My commitment to the community includes supporting my wife who has served as president of the Junior League of Birmingham, chaired the boards of several very prominent charitable organizations and currently serves as grant writer for the Woodlawn Foundation, an organization that is working to revitalize a local community.

During my almost 30 years of practice, I have been involved in just about every policy, legislative, and regulatory initiative in the hydropower industry. There is always change being considered, and sometimes even being accomplished. I believe that with the hydro licensing reform proposals in congress coupled with the policy interests in Washington relating to renewable energy and energy storage, the future is very bright for the hydro industry.   

Understanding how a particular hydro project operates and why it is operated that way is an important part of working with my clients to help resolve issues. I enjoy discussing technical issues with engineers and I have learned a great deal over the years about hydro operations through those interactions.  But the most fun part of my practice is when I use my understanding of the operational and technical aspects of a hydro project to help solve a legal issue or address a policy question. I believe that those are the instances when I can provide my clients with the most value.