Matt Rudolphi is a nationally recognized energy regulatory lawyer who advises regulated clients across the energy and utility sectors–including electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, and oil and gas pipeline companies–delivering favorable, business-driven outcomes in complex federal and state regulatory environments.
Based in Washington, D.C., Matt counsels clients across the country on federal and state regulatory strategy, market structure issues, compliance initiatives, and appeals of agency decisions. He is sought out for his ability to translate regulatory complexity into actionable business strategies and high-stakes advocacy before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), state public utility commissions, and federal courts.
Matt has particular strength representing electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, and oil and gas pipeline companies in matters involving competitive market design, cost recovery, transmission and pipeline revenue requirements, tariff filings, compliance with evolving federal and state requirements, and challenges to regulatory authority.
A well-respected leader in energy law, Matt is a past president and longtime board member of the 2,000-member Energy Bar Association and was named to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Energy Lawyers, a national list recognizing top energy regulation practitioners. He has also played a visible role in championing diversity and inclusion initiatives within energy law circles.
experience
Energy Regulatory Matters
- Successfully defended the non-jurisdictional status of oil terminal before FERC.
- Represented and negotiated the settlement of a FERC enforcement matter involving complex, novel market rules.
- Contested a regional transmission organization-wide return on equity before FERC.
- Contested counterparties’ non-compliance with obligations in an electric transmission coordinated operations agreement before FERC and the U.S. Court of Appeals.
- Secured non-jurisdictional status for two outer continental shelf pipeline systems before FERC.
Non-Profit Counsel
- Advise energy-industry-related nonprofits on structure, governance, and risk management through formation to wind-down.
- Guided more than a dozen nonprofit mergers and dissolutions.
- Serve as corporate counsel on employee, contractor, and commercial agreements.
- Successfully defended a client in a U.S. House of Representatives investigation into alleged improper use of government grant funds.
Governmental and Public Policy Matters
- Drafted state legislative revisions to cooperative enabling acts to facilitate broadband deployment.
- Advise clients on compliance with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act and federal lobbying and contribution reporting requirements.
- Counsel clients on political action committee formation and ongoing compliance.
Professional
- District of Columbia Bar Association
- Energy Bar Association
- ABA Delegate, 2022-2024
- Nominating Committee, 2019-2023; Chair, 2022-2023
- President, 2018-2019
- Board Member, 2013-2020
- Program Committee Chair, 2012-2013
- Program Committee Vice Chair, 2011-2012
- Young Lawyers Committee Chair, 2010-2011
- Charitable Foundation of the Energy Bar Association, Board Member, 2017-2019
- Foundation of the Energy Law Journal, Board Member, 2017-2019
- Electric Cooperative Bar Association
- National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors
- LGBT Lawyers of Washington, D.C., Board Member, 2007-2011
- Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia (GALLOP), Board Member, 2006-2007
Community
- Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Military Service
- U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Infantry
- Paratrooper, 1991-1994
- National Defense Service Medal
- Expert Marksmanship Badge
- U.S. Airborne Wings
- U.A.E. Airborne Wings
- Army Achievement Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Expert Infantryman Badge
- Energy Bar Association (EBA) 2025 Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award
- Included in Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers (by Thomson Reuters) Rising Stars list, 2014-2016
- Listed, Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Energy Lawyers, 2023-2025
- “Transmission Return on Equity Adder Predictions”
APPA Legal and Regulatory Conference, October 14, 2025 - “EPA’s Proposed Federal Implementation Plan for Nitrogen Oxide Emissions from Power Plants”
APPA Legal and Regulatory Conference, November 9, 2022 - “Conflict of Interest and Legal Responsibilities of Directors”
AEC/PREA Summer Meeting, July 14, 2022 - “Glick’s Frist 300 Days”
APPA Legal and Regulatory Conference, October 18, 2021 - “Regulatory Overview– Federal Communications Commission”
TVPPA Fiber University, February 2019 - “Electric Co-ops and Broadband – Regulatory Compliance and Business Law Considerations”
NRECA ECBA Webinar, October 2018 - “Addressing the Digital Divide: How are Electric Cooperatives Pursuing Rural Broadband Projects?”
NRECA G&T Legal Seminar, November 2017 - “Electrifying the Transportation Sector: Challenges, Strategies and Opportunities”
APPA Legal and Regulatory Conference, October 2017 - “Updates on Energy and Environmental Law”
National LGBT Bar Association 29th Annual Lavender Law Conference, August 2017 - “Grid Modernization Debate”
Energy Bar Association, Mid Year Energy Forum, October 2016 - “FERC Electricity 101”
EUCI, September 2016 - “Physical and Cyber Security Webinar: Preparation for Overlapping Initiatives”
December 2014
I’m a U.S. Army vet who loves to travel, having visited more than 50 countries so far. I have also performed at the famous Second City improv club here in Chicago.