Firm Welcomes Nationally Recognized Public Servant and Iraq War Veteran to Energy Regulation Practice.
Foley announced today that former Wisconsin Public Service Commissioner and Iraq War veteran Robert “Bert” Garvin joined the firm as of counsel in the Litigation Department and Energy Regulation Practice.
“We are delighted to have Bert join us. His demonstrated leadership and extensive knowledge of national and regional energy policy issues, such as regional electric markets and global climate change, will have significant impact on our Midwest and national clients,” said Ralf Boer, the firm’s chairman and CEO. “Bert is a talented lawyer who brings to our practice and our clients valuable experience in regulatory, legislative and policy matters in these critical areas.”
Garvin previously served as a member of the three-person Public Service Commission of Wisconsin from March 2001 to February 2007. The Commission is the agency that regulates the state’s energy, telecommunications and water utilities.
At Foley, Garvin will counsel clients throughout the country on issues related to electric transmission policy, regional electric generation and capacity markets, energy efficiency, renewable energy and the energy industry’s response to global climate change.
Garvin was the primary author for many of the Commission’s major orders and regulatory decisions that have resulted in the construction of over $4 billion of needed new transmission and generation facilities in Wisconsin. He was elected to serve as lead representative by state regulators from 14 states and one Canadian province to represent them in matters before the Midwest System Operator, Inc. (MISO) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). He also directed advocacy efforts on behalf of regulators and companies serving customers in the Upper Midwest before FERC and MISO during the critical months leading up to the start of a regional day-ahead energy market.
He has testified numerous times before Congress, FERC, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and state legislatures on energy and telecommunications policy matters. He has served on the board of directors of the National Association of State Regulatory Commissioners (NARUC) and as chairperson of its Nuclear Waste Subcommittee. As a result of his extensive public affairs and public speaking experience, Garvin is a nationally recognized expert and commentator.
Garvin also served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a staff judge advocate with the U.S. Army, 3rd Corps Support Command, 40th Corps Support Group, at Logistics Supply Area Anaconda in north-central Iraq from September 2005 to September 2006. In that capacity, Garvin served as senior prosecutor advising commanders on a wide variety of military justice matters across the Iraq theatre of operations.
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