Paul F. Hanzlik is a retired partner in the law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP, where he was a member of the Energy Industry Team. He is a former member of the firm’s Management Committee.

Paul concentrated his practice on utility matters and has represented clients before state regulatory agencies and in court. His experience includes the restructuring of electric operations, establishing retail rates for electric, gas and water utilities, obtaining state regulatory approvals for utility mergers and asset sales, obtaining public utility commission approval for an auction for power procurement, demonstrating prudence in managing fuel contracts, purchased power arrangements and generating station operations, litigating construction cost recovery for generating facilities and demonstrating the reliability of system operations. He has also litigated commercial and utility company disputes including breach of contract claims, tax issues, and decommissioning cost recovery.

Paul received his law degree from Columbia University and his undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University, cum laude with distinction, in economics. He is admitted to the Illinois Bar, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is also a member of the trial bar for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers ranked Paul as a “Senior Statesman” in energy law because of his energy regulatory work. He is also included in The Best Lawyers of America®, and the Illinois Super Lawyers® lists (2005—2012).*

Paul is currently a member of the American Bar Association’s section of Public Utility Law. He is past chair of the ABA’s Electric Power Committee, Natural Resources Section and is the former chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Public Utility Law Committee. Paul has written and spoken extensively on issues impacting the energy industry. Prior to beginning the practice of law, Paul served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Representative publications and speeches include:

• “Smart Grid – What it Means for Electric Utilities and Their Customers,” Lecturer, 2010
• Lecturer on Renewable Energy Resources: Policy, Planning and Legislation, 2009 and 2010
• Wind and Solar Project Development and Permitting Conference, Program Co-Chair, 2009
• “The Intersection of Renewable Energy Certificates and Carbon Credits,” Bloomberg Law Reports: Sustainable Energy, 2009
• “Divestiture of Non Core Assets and Consolidation Around Core Utility Business,” Platts 5th Annual Utility M&A Conference, 2008
• Utility Mergers and Acquisitions, “Navigating Regulation and the Role of the States,” Platts 4th Annual Utility M&A Conference, 2007
• “Strategies in an Era of Carbon Uncertainty,” Infocast Conference, 2007
• “Nuclear Plant Decommissioning: The State Perspective,” TLG Decommissioning Conference, 2002
• “Emerging Regulatory Issues for the Introduction of Generation Competition,” National Energy Symposium, University of Wisconsin, 2000
• “Management Prudence in a Competitive Environment,” Third Annual Symposium sponsored by Energy Decisions, 1997
• “Why Special Contract Discounts are Good for Competition,” Public Utilities Fortnightly, 1997
• “Balancing Electric and Magnetic Field Concerns and Least Cost Planning Obligations – When Is Prudent Avoidance Not Prudent?” Electric Utility Business Environment Conference sponsored by Electric Utility Consultants, Inc., 1993
• “The ‘Political Economy’ of Demand-Side Management: New Developments and Emerging Issues.,” American Bar Association teleconference, 1992
• “The Impact of Electric and Magnetic Field Concerns on Transmission Line Siting,” Third Annual Transmission and Wheeling Conference sponsored by Electric Utility Consultants, Inc. and Reid & Priest, 1992
• “The Growing Controversy Over the Siting of New Transmission Facilities – Environmental, Health Hazard and Land Use Concerns,” Strategic Utility Planning Conference sponsored by Electric Utility Consultants, Inc. and Woodward-Clyde Consultants, 1992
• “Using Demand Side Management to Cut Transmission and Distribution Costs – The Controversy Over Siting New Transmission Lines,” Third Annual Transmission Symposiums sponsored by Public Utilities Reports, Inc., The Management Exchange and The Utilities Institute, 1991
• “Nuclear Plant Performance Standards/Incentive Mechanisms – The Privilege of Self-Critical Analysis.,” Edison Electric Institute Utility Prudence Group, 1991
• “Environmental and Siting Issues for New Transmission, Will the Lines Be Built?” Second Annual Transmission Symposiums sponsored by Public Utilities Reports, Inc., The Management Exchange and The Utilities Institute, 1990

Paul serves on the Board of Directors of Children’s Memorial Hospital and the Children’s Memorial Hospital Foundation Board and is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago.

*The Illinois Supreme Court does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law and no award or recognition is a requirement to practice law in Illinois.