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The Utilities and Telecommunications Practice Group is principally located in
Eckert Seamans’ Harrisburg office. Members of this group
represent major telecommunications, energy, and water utility companies before
state and federal regulatory agencies and provide legal advice with respect to
other aspects of clients’ business activities. With acknowledged
competency in the field, the firm’s utility regulation lawyers are closely
involved in the restructuring of the telecommunications, natural gas, and
electric industries. Additionally, the group is highly experienced in
compliance and licensing issues involving all types of regulated companies –
from water utilities, telecommunications, natural gas, and electric competitive
suppliers to transportation companies.
The breadth of experience of Eckert Seamans’ utilities and telecommunications
attorneys positions them to counsel utility customers as well as utility service
providers. The group’s legal and business acumen allows them to assist
both new entrants and incumbents in utilizing effective legal and regulatory
strategies to compete successfully in emerging competitive markets.
Illustrative matters the group’s lawyers have handled include:
- Represented clients in a wide range of regulatory proceedings and
litigation, both at the administrative and appellate level, and at before state
and federal commissions.
- Advised both customers and
vendors on the regulatory aspects of interconnection agreements, facilities and
asset leases, right-of-way agreements, energy sales and purchase contracts and
right- of-way agreement and tariff disputes.
- Represented water utilities and municipal water authorities in regulatory
matters and litigation before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
(“PUC”), including services territory expansion, utility takeovers and
acquisitions, and municipal authority reorganizations.
- Represented natural gas distributor companies in numerous rate and service
proceedings.
- Actively participated in electric utility restructuring and default service
proceedings before the Pennsylvania PUC. Eckert Seamans attorneys have
been at the forefront of all electric restructuring activities and have
significant experience in all areas of electric industry restructuring and
regulatory proceedings.
- Represented clients in litigation and other regulatory and judicial
proceedings pertaining to implementation of the Telecommunications Act of 1996
and in all aspects of the restructuring of the telecommunications industry in
Pennsylvania. Eckert Seamans represents
a number of competitive local exchange companies (CLECs) in their efforts to
offer competitive alternatives to resident and business telephone customers in
Pennsylvania and other states using both legacy, emerging broadband, and “next
generation” technology, such as voice over internet protocol (“VolIP”).
- Represented Pennsylvanianatural gas producers in gas
distribution proceedings before the PUC, securing favorable terms and conditions
for “gathering” and gas transportation rates, terms, and conditions.
- Advised Internet providers and web server companies on regulatory and other
issues, including regulatory licensing and
compliance.
The role of any law firm is not merely to react to changes in the law and the
marketplace as they occur, but also to anticipate those changes for the benefit
of its clients. Eckert Seamans is committed to providing maximum value to
its utility and telecommunication clients by staying at the cutting edge of the
legal and business issues affecting this highly dynamic industry sector.
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