(July 25, 2023 - Washington, DC) Anand Viswanathan has joined Jenner & Block, bringing his 10 years of experience at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to the firm's nationally ranked Energy Practice.
"Our energy practice is thriving, and our clients need counsel with FERC experience," said Co-Managing Partner and Energy Practice Co-Chair Randy Mehrberg. "Anand's experience in multiple roles at FERC complements our offerings, and we are delighted that he has chosen to join Jenner & Block."
In his most recent role, Anand served as Legal Advisor in the Office of former Chairman Richard Glick. He provided legal and policy counsel on a wide range of issues, including reforms related to the federal government's role in siting interstate electricity transmission projects, the consideration of greenhouse gas and climate impacts on agency decision making, wholesale electricity market rules in the western United States, and applications to construct and operate natural gas pipelines and liquefied natural gas facilities.
"The breadth of Anand's experience is a tremendous asset for our clients," said Energy Practice Co-Chair and former FERC Commissioner Suedeen Kelly. "Anand is able to advise clients on a host of FERC-related matters, whether they need representation in court to defend actions or press claims or advocacy before FERC or other agencies."
Before his work with Chairman Glick, Anand served as a member of the appellate staff in FERC's Office of the Solicitor for more than five years. He prepared numerous briefs and dispositive motions and presented oral arguments in multiple courts of appeals across the United States to defend some of FERC's most consequential actions. These include whether a federal rule on energy storage intrudes upon matters of state jurisdiction under the Federal Power Act, as well as a case of first impression involving the statute of limitations for enforcement actions in a federal district court for affirmance of a Commission-imposed civil penalty.
Anand also served as an attorney in FERC's Office of Enforcement for three years, where he led multiple investigations into possible violations of federal law, including fraud and market manipulation. During this time, he played a key role on the litigation team in one of FERC's first and only hearings before an administrative law judge involving allegations of manipulation of the natural gas markets.
"I worked across disciplines in my 10 years at FERC," said Anand. "From my perspective over those years, Jenner & Block has built an impressive cross-disciplinary team within the nation's premier energy practice. I look forward to returning to the private sector and offering clients the full range of my experience as they navigate various challenges and opportunities in the energy realm."
Jenner & Block has expanded its Energy Practice in the last year with the high-profile additions of Partners John Estes and Niqui Kohli. Additionally, it has bolstered its ranks with a number of lawyers leaving government service, including Partners Emily Loeb, Josh Hsu, Michelle Kallen, and Annie Kastanek and Special Counsel Marcus Childress.
Anand is joining the firm as a special counsel and will be based in the Washington, DC, office. He previously clerked with the Honorable Ferdinand Fernandez in the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and received his JD with honors from The George Washington University Law School in 2005.