Utilities – Telecom, Energy & Water

Utilities are where nature meets man’s needs, technology and infrastructure. We help companies navigate the sometimes fractious environment of ever-changing regulation of telecommunications, energy and water companies.

For more than 70 years, client services have included representation of utilities before the Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA), and its predecessor the Tennessee Public Service Commission, in matters regarding:

  • Rates and rate-making
  • Tariffs
  • Services
  • Certificates of convenience and necessity
  • Special contracts
  • Franchise approval
  • Change of corporate control
  • Agreement approvals
  • Numbering code denials
  • Market service areas
  • Audits
  • Financing
  • Numerous contested case disputes

We have provided representation to our clients in proceedings in which the orders of the TRA are judicially reviewed by the state appellate courts or federal district courts under the Federal Communications Act. Our attorneys also have represented utility companies in numerous state court appeals, including many of the significant appellate cases interpreting provisions of the Tennessee Telecommunications Act of 1995 and other regulatory reform legislation. We also have handled appeals of reciprocal compensation, Unbundled Network Elements (UNE), Federal Communications Commission (FCC) pre-emption and other issues arising from TRA decisions that are appealed to federal district court.

Bass, Berry & Sims’ representation of public utility companies extends to a wide variety of other legal matters including commercial loan transactions, government relations, corporate governance, issuance of debt and equity securities, mergers and acquisitions, general litigation, real estate matters, employee benefits issues, tax planning and the resolution of employer-employee disputes.

Elaina S. Al-Nimri
Associate
E. Steele Clayton, IV
Member
John W. Dawson IV
Member
R. Dale Grimes
Member
Stephen J. Jasper
Member
George H. Masterson
Member
Erica Vick Penley
Member
W. Brantley Phillips, Jr.
Member
Lucas Ross Smith
Member
Michael D. Sontag
Member
Virginia Maynard Yetter
Associate
Jessalyn H. Zeigler
Member