Utilities

Miller Canfield has a wide-ranging utility practice. It has represented electric, gas, synfuel, alternative power, hydro, co-gen and nuclear utilities situated in Michigan as well as throughout the United States. Miller Canfield's utility clients have included investor-owned as well as public utilities and private power generators. The Firm has worked hard to further its utility clients' success: One notable settlement netted the utility client $750 Million/cash; another significant judicial ruling summarily resolved a "bet the company" claim.

Miller Canfield's utility practice has been extensive and varied. For example, the Firm has represented investor-owned as well as public utilities in litigation, arbitration and contested administrative proceedings involving construction, architecture, engineering, design, project management, licensing, product defect and delivery, financing, rate, environmental, employment, labor, safety, benefits, FLSA, immigration, restructuring, personal injury, property damage, commercial transaction and other disputes. Miller Canfield lawyers have represented utilities in State as well as Federal trial, appellate and multi-district courts, ranging from individual to class actions. Miller Canfield has been called upon to defend as well as to initiate legal actions on behalf of its utility clients.

In addition to adversarial proceedings, Miller Canfield's lawyers have advised and counseled utilities on best employment practices, private project financing, public financing and law, labor bargaining, securities regulation, OSHA compliance, immigration processing, patent review, corporate governance and SOX compliance, environmental requirements, contracting procedures, EEOC compliance, ERISA benefits design, e-discovery and tax matters. 

Based on its broad experience, the Firm and its lawyers understand utilities from the Boardroom to the Power Plant floor, from the perspective of Supply Chain and Human Resources to the perspective of the regulators and municipalities. Because we understand the risks as well as the demands faced by utility management, we can offer proactive advice as well as respond quickly to emerging issues. We value the "partnership" which we have forged with our utility clients, and are always looking for new and better ways to advance their interests and causes.