Sean A. Atkins

Partner

Co-chair, Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources Practice

With over two decades of experience before the FERC, state utility commissions, and federal appellate courts, Sean A. Atkins focuses his practice on the regulatory challenges facing the electric utility industry. He has extensive experience with legal and policy issues related to wholesale electricity markets, transmission planning and operations, and the development of renewable power facilities.

Sean represents clients in administrative and appellate litigation, and negotiates settlements of complex matters before utility regulators. He advises clients on the development of effective compliance programs and helps clients to develop best practices under a variety of regulatory regimes.

Sean's accomplishments include settling complex electric transmission formula rate issues, obtaining approvals for new transmission planning procedures designed to facilitate the needs of renewable power, and litigating the terms of a new wholesale electricity market design for an independent system operator in the western United States. He has served as chair of a working group of counsel representing utilities in the northeastern United States that successfully formed a regional transmission organization and attained incentive transmission rates.

Municipal utility coordinated operations*

Negotiated and obtained regulatory approvals for a standard agreement governing the interconnection and coordinated operations of municipal electric systems to a New York investor-owned utility. (2011-2015)

Compliance audit*

Advised electric utility on FERC audit of compliance with regulatory requirements. (2007-2011)

Formation of a regional transmission organization*

Negotiated the contract terms and resolution of stakeholder concerns allowing the formation of a regional transmission organization. (2001-2005)

Connecting renewable power to the grid

Representing renewable power developers and investor-owned utilities on the regulatory challenges associated with connecting renewable power resources, including offshore wind projects, to the electric grid. (Ongoing)

Electric transmission rates

Representing investor-owned utility in electric transmission rate proceedings before the FERC, including litigation of allowed return on equity for grid investment, incentive rates, and settlement of a variety of formula rate issues. (Ongoing)

*Denotes an attorney's experience prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine

Admitted to Practice

District of Columbia, 1999
U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit, 2016

Education

J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1996
B.A., English Language and Literature, University of Virginia, 1991

Memberships & Affiliations

- Energy Bar Association, 1997-2020

Professional Recognition

- Named as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" by Chambers USA in Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation) (Nationwide), 2010-2024; Global, 2017-2021, 2023-2024
- Named as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in Energy Law, 2020-present

Background

- Partner, Alston & Bird LLP, Washington, D.C., 2005-2020
- Partner, 2005; Associate, 1998-2005 – Swidler & Berlin LLP, Washington, D.C.
- Attorney-Advisor, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington D.C., 1997-1998