Photo of James R. Dean Jr.

James R. Dean Jr.

James Dean practices in the antitrust and energy regulatory areas. As part of his antitrust practice, James advises clients on all aspects of antitrust law, including mergers, joint ventures, distribution agreements, and trade association activities. He has represented numerous clients in responding to government investigations and as both plaintiffs and defendants in private antitrust litigation.

James also regularly handles issues related to pre-merger notification filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act and foreign merger control regimes.

James also has significant experience with energy regulatory matters. He advises both regulated utilities and financial investors on the federal and state regulation of both natural gas and electricity, including market restructuring issues, obtaining regulatory approval for energy-related transactions, and rate filings.

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With potential liabilities in excess of $30 billion stemming from a series of deadly wildfires that ignited across Northern California in 2017 and 2018, Pacific Gas and Electric Company and its holding company PG&E Corp. (PG&E) filed for Chapter 11 relief in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California on Tuesday.

The filing triggers a complex, multi-forum struggle among creditors, energy providers, and many other diverse stakeholders.  The impact of the restructuring process will be far reaching, jeopardizing compensation to wildfire victims, the state’s implementation of its ambitious climate and renewable energy policies, and the ultimate future of the utility as a partner in those efforts.
Continue Reading Rising from the Ashes: How PG&E’s Bankruptcy Threatens the Energy Sector and California’s Progress on Climate Change

On March 7, 2014, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) directed the North American Electric Reliability Council (“NERC”) to develop new standards for the protection of critical elements of the bulk-power system from physical attacks.  In recent years there has been considerable attention paid to the potential for cyber-attacks against …
Continue Reading FERC Acknowledges Physical Security Risks to Bulk Power System and Begins Development of Standards for Protection Against Physical Attacks