McGuireWoods continues the expansion of its nationally recognized energy regulatory capabilities with the arrival of partner Brian Franklin in Charlotte.
Franklin spent 15 years at Duke Energy, most recently as managing director of regulatory affairs for North Carolina. In that role, he led a team that handled regulatory matters for subsidiaries Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC) and Duke Energy Progress (DEP), which serve a combined 3.7 million electric retail customers in North Carolina.
Franklin previously served as Duke Energy’s associate general counsel, representing DEC, DEP and Piedmont Natural Gas Co. before public utility commissions in North Carolina and South Carolina. He also was a member of Duke Energy’s Investment Committee, which supervises and sets strategic and policy direction for managing trust assets that fund the company’s employee retirement and nuclear decommissioning obligations.
“Brian’s experience, industry knowledge and business acumen enhance our ability to help energy industry clients achieve their goals,” said Richard W. Viola, deputy managing partner of McGuireWoods’ corporate practice.
“Brian brings a client’s perspective of the legal, regulatory and business challenges energy and utility companies face in today’s market. That insight provides our team and clients with powerful advantages,” said Vishwa Link, chair of McGuireWoods’ Regulatory & Compliance Department.
Franklin was a member of the 2018-2019 class of Leadership North Carolina, a prestigious leadership development program for executives from the government, business, education and nonprofit sectors. Before joining Duke Energy in 2008, he was a litigation associate at two Am Law 100 firms.
“Brian is an accomplished lawyer and community-minded leader, and we are delighted to welcome him to McGuireWoods,” said Brian Kahn, managing partner of the firm’s Charlotte office.
McGuireWoods’ regulatory and compliance lawyers represent energy clients in proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency, state public utility commissions and various state agencies. The firm earned nationwide rankings for energy regulatory, litigation and transactional work in the 2022 editions of The Legal 500 United States and Chambers USA, both prestigious independent guides to leading law firms and lawyers.
“I have worked closely at Duke Energy with McGuireWoods’ regulatory and compliance lawyers for over a decade and gained tremendous respect for the firm and its capabilities,” Franklin said. “I look forward to now being a member of, and continuing to collaborate with, this world-class team and putting my experience to work for our clients.”
