In Fall 2016 the specialization program offered a new specialty in utilities law. Peter Ledford, a member of the new Utilities Law Specialty Committee, sat down with staff to talk about the new specialty and how it encompasses so much more than what usually comes to mind when we think about utilities law.

Q: Can you tell us a little about the role of utilities lawyers in North Carolina?

The North Carolina Utilities Commission (ncuc.commerce.state.nc.us) is a quasi-judicial administrative agency with jurisdiction over utilities operating in the state. Utilities includes the standard things people think of—typically electricity and natural gas—but also other industries, such as moving trucks, buses, and ferries. The practice of utilities lawyers generally involves representing a regulated utility or consumers or groups that have an interest in the operation of the regulated utility.

Q: Why did you become interested in creating a utilities specialty?

The idea for creating the specialty really came to fruition at the retirement party for an attorney who spent her entire career representing consumer interests in utility matters (Giselle Rankin, another committee member).

Q: What benefits would you like to come from the creation of the specialty?

I think the specialty will benefit both consumers and businesses that are seeking to get involved in a matter before the Utilities Commission and need a lawyer, be it a complaint against a utility or a complex business deal that requires regulatory approval.

Q: What makes utilities law special? What would you like the public and other lawyers to know about utilities law?

Utilities are a highly regulated industry, both at the state and the federal levels.
Issues are further complicated by the fact that many large utilities (particularly electric and natural gas utilities) operate in multiple states. Legal practice in the area requires knowledge of not only unique laws, regulations, procedures, and forums, but also of how those considerations interact with more traditional business, contract, and environmental law issues.

Q: What has been the most interesting aspect of creating a specialty in utilities law?

For me it was presenting the proposed specialty to my 1L legal research and writing professor, who was representing the Appellate Practice Specialty Committee at the Board of Legal Specialization meeting.

Beyond that, since my practice focuses on electricity regulation, it has been getting to know the attorneys who focus on other regulated utilities with whom I might not otherwise interact on a regular basis.

Q: The Utilities Specialty Committee is a very diverse and experienced group. Can you tell us briefly about what type of experience each member brings to the committee?

The committee has seven members plus a five member advisory committee. Combined, the membership includes one current member (TaNola Brown-Bland), a former member (Susan Rabon), and a former chair (Jo Anne Sanford) of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, as well as a current staff attorney for the commission (Kim Duffley). The committee also includes an in-house attorney for Duke Energy (Alex Castle) and a private practice attorney whose practice focuses on representing natural gas companies (Jim Jeffries). The committee includes one current and one former member of the public staff, which is the state agency charged with representing consumer interests in matters before the commission: one who focused on electric issues (Giselle Rankin, now retired), and one who focuses on water issues (Bill Grantmyre). Two additional committee members work in private practice, one primarily representing renewable energy developers (Henry Campen, chair of the specialty committee), and one who represents both customer groups and energy project developers (Dan Higgins). Finally, the committee includes two members who advocate renewable energy issues (Michael Youth and Peter Ledford). 

For more information about becoming a board certified specialist, please visit nclawspecialists.gov or call our office at 919-828-4620.