Ms. Swanstrom's transactional, regulatory and litigation skills enable her to serve clients cost-effectively throughout the course of an energy project – from inception of a creative idea for a project or transaction, during negotiations and the regulatory approval process, and in litigation, if necessary. She frequently represents clients on regulatory matters related to renewable generation and electric transmission projects, as well as energy trading.

Ms. Swanstrom guides clients through the jurisdictional maze of federal and state regulation and advises them on strategies to achieve increased revenues or cost savings while minimizing regulatory burdens. She negotiates and advises clients on project development, fuel, power purchase and supply, generator interconnection, electric transmission and gas transportation contracts. Ms. Swanstrom also counsels clients on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulations, as well as the reliability standards developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and regional entities; conducts compliance training and internal audits or investigations; represents clients in enforcement inquiries and investigations; and litigates disputes before federal agencies, state commissions and courts.

Ms. Swanstrom is skilled in FERC's policies and regulations regarding renewable energy, open access transmission, the siting of new transmission facilities, generation interconnections, reliability standards, standards of conduct, regional transmission organizations (RTOs), demand response, smart grid, asset acquisitions and divestitures, contract and tariff complaints, anti-market manipulation rules and reporting requirements. She helps clients proactively shape regulatory policies before FERC and in the press, builds coalitions and advocates clients' interests in rule-making proceedings. Ms. Swanstrom also is skilled in CFTC's policies and regulations regarding energy commodity trading and has advised numerous clients on compliance with the Dodd-Frank Act.

Ms. Swanstrom has more than 24 years of experience representing clients from diverse segments of the electric and natural gas industries, resulting in a well-rounded perspective of strategic issues facing participants in those evolving markets. She has represented government and investor-owned electric utilities; investors in generation and transmission projects; industrial electricity consumers; state and local regulators; gas pipelines; local distribution companies; producers and marketers.

Areas of Focus

• Renewable Energy/Electricity
• Energy and Natural Resources
• Commodity Trading
• Transmission
• Municipal Representation
• Construction Projects, Infrastructure and Finance
• Energy Efficiency and Smart Grid
• Energy Regulatory and Enforcement: Electricity and Natural Gas

Articles, Publications and Presentations

• Author, "Dodd-Frank Act Extends Beyond Wall Street to Main Street: Why you may need to report your fuel supply and electricity transactions," District Energy Magazine (April 2013)

• Author, “New FERC/NERC Enforcement Trends and Compliance Tools,” Infocast Reliability Standards Webinar (September 2012)

• Author, "FERC Offers Guidance on NERC Penalty Notices," Managing Power (July, 2011)

• Author, "FERC Conducts Historic Inquiry into Disruptions of Electric and Natural Gas Service," Enforcement Insights Newsletter (April 2011)

• Author, "FERC Provides Guidance on How it Will Act on NERC Penalty Notices in the Future," Enforcement Insights Newsletter (April 2011)

• Author, "FERC's Office of Enforcement Clarifies AFUDC Policy," Enforcement Insights Newsletter (April 2011)

• Author, "President Obama's Directives to Federal Agencies Are Expected to Alter Compliance Obligations and Enforcement Risks," Enforcement Insights Newsletter (February 2011)

• Author, "FERC Staff Issues No-Action Letter on Asset Management Activities," Enforcement Insights Newsletter (February 2011)

• Author, "Incorporating Smart Grid Projects into Your Municipal Electric Utility System," Colorado Municipalities Magazine (April 2010)

• Author, "DOE Transmission Corridor Designations and FERC Backstop Siting Authority: Has the Energy Policy Act of 2005 Succeeded in Stimulating the Development of New Transmission Facilities?" Energy Law Journal (December 2009)

• Author, "Corporate Compliance Challenges by Industry: Regulated Energy (FERC & NERC)," Corporate Compliance Practice Guide (LexisNexis October 2009 - Present)

• Author, "Energy Compliance and Litigation Case Strategies" (Aspatore Books 2007)

• Author, "Reliability Takes Center Stage at FERC as It Implements New Authority Under the 2005 Energy Policy Act," Connection Newsletter of Women's International Network of Utility Professionals (Summer 2006)

• Author, "FERC Gains Greater Enforcement Authority: Is Your Company Prepared?" Connection Newsletter of Women's International Network of Utility Professionals (Winter 2006)

• Author, "FERC Plans to Revisit Open Access Transmission Rules," Connection Newsletter of Women's International Network of Utility Professionals (Winter 2004)

• Author, "Legislators Turn Up the Heat on Enron & FERC This Summer," Connection Newsletter of Women's International Network of Utility Professionals (Summer 2004)

• Author, "The Breakdown of Comprehensive Energy Legislation on Capitol Hill," Connection Newsletter of Women's International Network of Utility Professionals (Winter 2003)

• Author, "Legislative Update - Energy Bill Likely to Stretch into Fall," Connection Newsletter of Women's International Network of Utility Professionals (Spring 2003)

• Author, "The Fate of Energy Bill Lies in House-Senate Conference," Connection Newsletter of Women's International Network of Utility Professionals (Spring 2002)

• Author, "Presidential Candidates Unveil Their Energy Policy Strategies," Connection Newsletter of Women's International Network of Utility Professionals (Summer 2000)

• Author, "Electric Restructuring Legislation Not a Top Priority for Congress this Election Year," Connection Newsletter of Women's International Network of Utility Professionals (Spring 2000)

• Author, "Congress Turns its Attention to Electric Restructuring Legislation," Connection Newsletter of Electrical Women's Roundtable (Spring 1999)

• Author, "The Clinton Plan: or Is It?" Connection Newsletter of Electrical Women's Roundtable (Spring 1998)

• Author, "Congress May Not Pass Electric Restructuring Legislation this Year," Connection Newsletter of Electrical Women's Roundtable (August 1997)

• Author, "Congress Wraps Up with Two More Electric Competition Bills," Connection Newsletter of Electrical Women's Roundtable (December 1996)

• Author, "FERC Issues Final Rule on Open Access Electric Transmission Service," Women's Council on Energy and the Environment Newsletter (May 1996)

• Author, "Legal Issues in Forming a Municipal System," American Public Power Association (October 1993)

• Author, "Basic Principles and Structure of Natural Gas Pipeline Rate Proceedings," Natural Resources & Environment (Spring 1992)

• Presenter, "New Developments Affecting FERC Transmission Siting and Condemnation Authority of Non-Utility Developers," Law Seminars International Conference on Electric Transmission in the West (March 2012)

• Presenter, "Conflict Resolution Strategies in Solar Development," PV America West Conference, Solar Energy Industries Association and Solar Electric Power Association (March 2012)

• Presenter, "Ten-Year Overview of Market Manipulation Proceedings: Where FERC has Been and Where It's Headed Since the Western Energy Crisis of 2000-2001," National Electric Compliance Forum (January 2012)

• Presenter, "Reliability Compliance and Enforcement: New Directions in Reliability Standards Development and Enforcement," University of Idaho 58th Annual Utility Executive Course, 1st Annual Utility Executive Summit (June 2011)

• Presenter, "Industry Trends and Regulatory Reforms Affecting the Interconnection of Renewable Generation Projects to the Transmission Grid," American Public Power Association Legal Seminar (October 2010)

• Presenter, "Recommended Practices to Promote Compliance with Anti-Manipulation Rules in Energy Markets: Lessons Learned from Enforcement Cases on Organizational Structures That Do and Don't Work," Infocast - FERC & CFTC Compliance Summit (April 2010)

• Presenter, "New Trends in Transmission Project Development: Has the Energy Policy Act of 2005 Succeeded in Stimulating New Transmission Investments?" Texas Energy Council (March 2010)

• Presenter, "Promoting Compliance with Anti-Manipulation Rules in Energy Markets: Practical Tips on Organizational Structures that Do and Don't Work," Infocast - FERC Compliance Summit (September 2009)

• Presenter, "Expert Witnesses and the FERC Litigation Process: Best Practices for Selecting, Defending, and Cross-Examining Expert Witnesses," Energy Bar Association Meeting (April 2009)

• Presenter, "Practical Guidance on Organizational Structures that Mitigate Compliance Risks: Has Your Company Taken All the Necessary Steps to Promote Compliance with Anti-Manipulation Rules?" Infocast - FERC Compliance Summit Workshop (March 2009)

• Presenter, "Demand Response in the Wholesale World," American Public Power Association Legal Seminar (October 2008)

• Presenter, "How a Company's Organizational Structure Can Foster Compliance or Create Risks of Penalties for Non-Compliance with Rules Prohibiting Fraud and Market Manipulation in the Energy Industry: Is Your Company Sufficiently Protected?" Infocast - FERC Compliance Summit (October 2008)

• Presenter, "Compliance Programs to Protect Against Fraud and Market Manipulation in the Energy Industry," Energy Risk Magazine's 12th Annual Energy Risk USA Conference (June 2008)

• Presenter, "Energy Market Manipulation: Not Your Problem? Don't Be Too Sure," Patton Boggs' Seminar, Dallas, Texas (November 2007)

• Presenter, "Compliance with FERC's New Rule Prohibiting Fraud, Deception and Misleading Statements," American Public Power Association National Conference (June 2006)

• Presenter, "Complying with Energy Market Manipulation Rules," American Public Power Association Training Seminar (May 2006)

• Presenter, "FERC's Market Behavior Rules and Assertion of Jurisdiction Over Government Utilities in Investigations," American Public Power Association Legal Seminar (November 2004)

• Presenter, "Electricity: How Tribes & Tribal Corporations Can Reduce Costs and Earn Revenues from Its Sale," UIDA Eastern Tribal Economic Roundtable (August 2004)

• Presenter, "Buyer Beware: The Heart of the Federal Power Act Is Barely Beating," American Public Power Association Legal Seminar (October 2003)

• Presenter, "Legal Concerns Raised by e-Commerce: Piloting Your Utility's Legal Course through Cyberspace," American Public Power Association Legal Seminar (October 2000)

• Presenter, "Courts Tell Federal Government to Keep Out of States' Backyard," American Public Power Association Legal Seminar (October 1999)

• Presenter, "Gas Industry Regulation: Where Is the Industry Now and Where Is it Headed?" Tennessee Bar Association Utilities Symposium (June 1999)

• Presenter, "Antitrust Strategies for Plaintiffs and Defendants," Energy Institute Conference on Antitrust in Competitive Electric Markets (February 1998)

• Presenter, "Securitization of Stranded Costs in the Electric Industry: Lessons to be Learned from the PECO Proceeding," Energy Daily 2nd Annual Finance Forum (June 1997)

Honors and Recognition

• AV® PreeminentTM Peer Review Rated*
  *AV® Preeminent TM and BV® DistinguishedTM are certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.

• Listed, One of the Top Women Lawyers in the Northeast, Energy and Utility Law, Arrive (July/August 2011)

• Listed, Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers (2008, 2009, 2013)

• Outstanding Member at Large Award, Women's International Network of Utility Professionals (2005)

Professional Affiliations

• Member, Energy Bar Association
  Compliance and Enforcement Committee , Member, (2011-Present)
  Renewable Energy Committee , Member, (2010-Present)
  Electric Utility Regulation and Finance & Transactions Committees , Member, (2003-2005)
  Natural Gas Regulation Committee , Chair, (2002-2003)
  
• Chair, Women in Power® Forum (2004-2012)
  
• Chair, Legislative Issues Committee of Women's International Network of Utility Professionals
  
• Women’s Council on Energy and the Environment (1992-2005)
  
• Member, Environment, Energy and Resources Section (1989-2005)
  

Admitted to Practice

• District of Columbia, 1989
• Maryland, 1988, Inactive

Court Admission

• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Education

• J.D., George Washington University , 1988
  
  with honors
  
• B.A., St. Cloud State University
  
  with honors