Vidhya Prabhakaran
Partner
Chair, Energy Practice
At the heart of Vidhya Prabhakaran’s practice is his understanding of the regulatory complexities posed by California's shifting energy framework as California attempts to transition to economically viable greener power sources. Vid regularly advocates on behalf of clients throughout the energy sector who envision an efficient and reliable energy marketplace and seek to successfully invest in the reduction of greenhouse gases. Vid has over a decade of experience directing client successes before California regulatory bodies, including the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Energy Commission, the California Air Resources Board, and the California Independent System Operator, as well as the California Legislature. This experience also has allowed him to effectively represent clients in the regulated transportation, telecommunications, and water sectors.
Together with the other members of the DWT energy practice group, Vid assists clients with formulating, presenting, and advocating policy positions on procurement, ratemaking, and safety. He also counsels clients through regulatory approvals; utility rate and certificate proceedings; acquisitions and dispositions of regulated assets; energy-related contracts; project finance; energy-related dispute resolution; and energy litigation. He has represented South San Joaquin Irrigation District, the City of Long Beach, Tesla Inc., Uber Technologies Inc., the California Community Choice Association, Marin Clean Energy, Peninsula Clean Energy, Powerex Corporation, Bear Valley Electric Service, and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.
As chair of the DWT energy practice and a member of the firmwide executive committee, Vid focuses a great deal on the changing nature of the profession, and he has served on committees and task forces inside and outside the firm aiming to modernize the practice of energy law in California by incorporating technology into the practice, promoting diversity in the profession, and improving client service.
Vid discusses how our industry knowledge and enthusiasm for innovation help clients chart their future.
Admitted to Practice
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California, 2006
Education
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J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 2006
- President, Student Bar Association
- Clinic: Harrison Institute for Policy Law
- Washington Law Reporters Prize
- Dean's Certificate
- Pro Bono Award
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B.A., Political Science, Yale University, 2003
- Student Body President
Memberships & Affiliations
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- President, Conference of California Public Utilities Counsel; Co-Chair and Co-Founder, Young Utility Lawyers Committee, 2010-2012
- Board Member, Bar Association of San Francisco; Technology Committee Co-Chair, 2008-2009; Equality Committee Co-Chair, 2012-2015
- Board Member, Justice & Diversity Center, Bar Association of San Francisco, 2013-2015; Executive Committee, 2015
- Board Member, South Asian Bar Association of Northern California, 2007-2009 and 2014-2016; President, 2015-2016
- Board Member, South Asian Americans Leading Together, 2011-2015, Treasurer, 2014-2015
- Co-chair, Minority Bar Coalition of Northern California, 2010-2012
- Board Member, Kearny Street Workshop, 2008-2010; President, 2010
- Board Member, Yale Club of San Francisco, 2008-2010; President, 2009-2010
- Board Member, Yale Alumni Nonprofit Alliance, 2015-2017
- Board Member, Randall Museum, 2016-2018
Professional Recognition
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- Named as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in Energy: State Regulatory & Litigation (California) by Chambers USA, 2018-2019; Listed as "Up and Coming" in Energy: State Regulation & Litigation (California), 2016-2017
- Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Energy Law and Utilities Law by Best Lawyers, 2019-present
- Mentorship Award, South Asian Bar Association of Northern California, 2017
- Award of Merit, Bar Association of San Francisco, 2009 and 2012
- Pro Bono Leadership Award, Legal Services for Children, 2014
- Unity Award, Minority Bar Coalition, 2016
- Diversity Award, Barristers Club, 2018
- Selected to "Northern California Rising Stars" in Energy & Natural Resources Law and Communications Law, Thomson Reuters, 2010-2017
Background
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- Associate, Goodin, MacBride, Squeri, Day & Lamprey, San Francisco, 2006-2009
- Summer Associate, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, Washington, D.C., 2005