David Huang

He/Him

Counsel

The best part of my job is the challenge of finding lasting solutions with immediate impact.

David Huang specializes in helping clients overcome regulatory hurdles within the communications and energy utility sectors through compliance actions, administrative advocacy and litigation, and policy-based solutions. He uses his experience in administrative law, state utility, and California Public Utilities Commission practice and procedure to help clients navigate complex legal and compliance issues involving telecommunications, energy, and other regulated utilities.

Together with other members of the DWT communications practice group, David assists communications clients with California regulatory compliance and the development and advocacy of policy positions in rulemaking proceedings. David brings with him extensive knowledge of the CPUC regulatory processes and propensities, which are informed by his former roles within the commission’s Administrative Law Judge Division, Legal Division, and Energy Division. David trained in equity policy framing in the utilities space as a postgraduate legal fellow and has a robust understanding of California’s economic and social policy priorities.

Environmental enforcement

Drafted debarment decisions and notices on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to render polluters and non-responsible individuals or organizations ineligible to receive federal funding or participate in federal non-procurement transactions.

Regulatory advocacy

Advocated on behalf of small telecommunications companies in CPUC general rate cases and other proceedings.

California Public Utilities Commission*

Drafted resolutions to approve, deny, or modify utility applications and advice letters based on regulatory standards.

Comments and rulemaking proceedings*

Developed policy positions and participate in CPUC rulemaking proceedings for cable and rural telephone companies across various issues including network resiliency, supplier diversity, and public purpose programs.

CPCN and transfer of control applications*

Assisted regulated utility clients with attaining operating authority in California and regulatory approvals for mergers and transfers of control.

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

Admitted to Practice

California, 2017

Education

B.A. and B.S., Political Science and Psychology, University of California, San Diego, 2011
J.D., University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings), 2015
- Note Editor, Hastings West-Northwest Journal of Environmental Law and Policy
- Co-president, Hastings Environmental Law Association

Languages

Mandarin

Memberships & Affiliations

- Bar Association of San Francisco
- Asian American Bar Association
- American Bar Association, Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section
- Conference of California Public Utility Counsel

Professional Recognition

- Named "One to Watch" by Best Lawyers in Communications Law, 2023-2025

Background

- Associate, Cooper, White & Cooper, San Francisco, 2018-2019
- Public Utility Regulatory Analyst, California Public Utilities Commission, Sacramento, Calif., 2017-2018
- Legal Fellow, The Greenlining Institute, Berkeley, Calif., 2015-2016
- Law Clerk, Office of Grants and Debarment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., 2014
- Law Clerk, California Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco, 2013, 2015