March 19, 2013
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is pleased to announce that William Scherman has joined the firm as a partner in the Washington, D.C. office. Scherman, who was previously a partner with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and a former general counsel of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), will continue his energy litigation and regulatory practice as Chair of the Energy, Regulation and Litigation Group at Gibson Dunn.
“We are delighted to have Bill join the firm,” said Ken Doran, Chairman and Managing Partner of Gibson Dunn. “Bill is widely regarded as one of the leading energy litigators and energy regulatory attorneys in the country. He has been involved in some of the most significant enforcement matters in the energy sector in recent years. With Bill, we will add litigation, enforcement and investigation expertise to our strong M&A, finance and regulatory capabilities.”
“Bill is a terrific addition to the firm,” said Andrew Tulumello, Co-Partner in Charge of Gibson Dunn’s Washington, D.C. office. “With his background as FERC’s general counsel and chief of staff, Bill has unparalleled knowledge and experience in energy enforcement and litigation. His experience in federal government investigations and enforcement perfectly complements the firm’s strengths in these areas.”
“With a premiere, broad-based litigation platform combined with a respected reputation in the energy industry, Gibson Dunn is an ideal fit for me,” said Scherman. “I look forward to working with my new colleagues to build the litigation and enforcement side of the energy practice.”
About William S. Scherman
Scherman advises companies on litigation, commercial, regulatory and legislative matters relating to the U.S. and international energy markets. He litigates high-profile energy investigation and enforcement matters before the FERC and in the federal courts. He also represents large electric utilities before the FERC and state regulators. He is active in legislative matters, including the modifications to the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 to allow electric utilities to participate in the telecommunications industry, as well as efforts to enact comprehensive energy legislation.
Scherman was a partner with Skadden Arps since 1993. Before that, he served as the General Counsel of the FERC from 1990 to 1993 and as the Chief of Staff from 1987 to 1993. During his tenure at the FERC, he played a key role in major policy initiatives, including the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and Order No. 636, which reformed the natural gas pipeline industry. As FERC’s chief legal officer, he was responsible for the agency’s litigation strategy before federal appellate courts.
Scherman is a member of The Keystone Energy Board, a prominent non-profit think tank that seeks bipartisan policy consensus on key energy and environmental issues, and is a regular participant in the Harvard Electricity Policy Group.
He graduated in 1984 from the University of Louisville School of Law, where he was Articles Editor of the Law Review.