Former FERC Commissioner and NARUC President Tony Clark Joins Wilkinson Barker Knauer

Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP is pleased to announce that Tony Clark will join the firm as Senior Advisor on January 3, 2017. Mr. Clark will split time between the firm’s offices in Washington, D.C. and Denver, Colorado. He joins WBK after 15 years as a state and federal regulator, addressing issues of critical importance to the energy industry, including in the fields of electric power, natural gas, oil, and renewable development, as well as the telecommunications and broadband industries. Most recently, Mr. Clark served over four years as a Commissioner on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), exercising decisional authority over complex energy regulatory matters, including the reliable integration of renewable and demand-side resources into energy markets and the siting of natural gas infrastructure.

Prior to his FERC service, Mr. Clark was elected to two six-year terms as a Commissioner on the North Dakota Public Service Commission (serving as Chairman for a total of five years), where he implemented state laws governing electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications, and managed cases regarding investment in the state’s energy infrastructure. While at the North Dakota PSC, Mr. Clark was elected by his peers to be President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), where he worked with a diverse group of association members to develop consensus positions on matters of importance within the regulatory community. Mr. Clark also served as Chairman of the NARUC Telecommunications Committee, addressing the same issues of IP convergence and proper federal and state regulatory allocation that persist today. Mr. Clark was North Dakota’s Commissioner of Labor and was elected twice to represent Fargo in the North Dakota House of Representatives. He holds two bachelor’s degrees (in political science and history education) from North Dakota State University, and earned a master’s in public administration from the University of North Dakota.

Bryan Tramont, Managing Partner of Wilkinson Barker Knauer, said, “We have known and admired Tony for many years as a thought leader in federal and state regulatory policy. His expertise, along with his sharp intellect and warm collegiality, makes him a perfect fit for our firm. Plus we never hesitate to add another Eagle Scout to our troop!” Added Ray Gifford, Managing Partner of WBK’s Denver office, “I’ve known Tony for 15 years as a colleague, friend and public servant. I am thrilled to finally be working alongside him, despite his allegiance to UND hockey over my favored Denver Pioneers.” Mr. Clark commented, “Wilkinson Barker’s top-notch energy and telecom practices provide a perfect platform for me. I am excited for the opportunity to serve clients in these ever-evolving industries."

Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, one of the largest law firms in the nation dedicated primarily to the practice of communications and energy law, is ranked as a “first tier” firm by Chambers USA (Telecom, Broadcast, and Satellite: Regulatory), and Legal 500 (Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory), and was twice named “Law Firm of the Year” in communications law by U.S. News - Best Lawyers (2012 & 2014). The firm, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Denver, Colorado, advises clients ranging from global Fortune 100 companies to small start-ups in regulatory, transactional, privacy, consumer protection, intellectual property, corporate and litigation matters involving all aspects of communications and energy law, at both the state and federal levels.

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