Law Firm Bernstein Shur Welcomes Energy Attorney Patricia French

French Brings Wealth of Energy Regulatory and Compliance Experience to Firm

Patricia French

Bernstein Shur, one of northern New England’s largest law firms, announced the addition of Patricia French to the firm’s Energy and Environmental Law Practice Group. She joined the firm’s Portland, ME office as a shareholder.

French is a highly skilled energy attorney who brings more than 20 years of experience in energy law to Bernstein Shur. Her practice focuses on providing legal advice and representation to companies in the energy sector before state and federal regulatory bodies, including the ME Public Utilities Commission, the regulatory commissions of other New England states and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

French provides practical legal solutions for developers and owners of electric generation facilities and shippers of natural gas via inter- or intrastate pipelines and distribution system expansions, including siting requirements, permits, contract negotiation and deal structure. French has litigated rate proceedings, advised on the potential impact of proposed legislation and represented her clients on a wide variety of energy matters.

“We are thrilled to welcome Trish French to the firm’s Energy and Environmental Law Practice Group,” said Charles Miller, Bernstein Shur’s CEO. “Her valuable experience will help us continue to be a leader in providing counsel to energy clients in regulatory and compliance matters.”

Prior to joining Bernstein Shur, French was chief compliance officer and division counsel at NiSource, an energy provider based in Houston, Texas. She served as vice president, assistant general counsel and chief compliance officer for a major interstate pipeline based in Salt Lake City, Utah, owned by MidAmerican Energy Holdings.

French earned her J.D. from Boston University School of Law and her B.A. from Wells College. She is admitted to practice in ME, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Utah and numerous federal courts. She lives in Portland, ME and Marblehead, Massachusetts.