Matt Rudolphi
Partner
Chicago
312 580 5030
312 580 5030
direct
Washington, D.C.
202 585 6973
202 585 6973
direct
- OVERVIEW
- EXPERIENCE
- INSIGHTS
- NEWS & EVENTS
INDUSTRIES
PRACTICES
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Education
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Rutgers University School of Law-Camden,
J.D.
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
MBA
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University of Illinois at Chicago,
B.A. Political Science
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Admissions
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District of Columbia
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Illinois
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Virginia
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US Ct Appeals, 5th Circuit (LA, MS, TX)
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US Ct Appeals, 7th Circuit (IL, IN, WI)
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US Ct Appeals, 9th Circuit (AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, WA, Guam, M. Isles)
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US Ct Appeals, 10th Circuit (CO, KS, NM, OK, UT, WY)
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US Ct Appeals, DC Circuit
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Affiliations
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District of Columbia Bar Association
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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)
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Charitable Foundation of the Energy Bar Association
Board Member (2017-2019)
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Foundation of the Energy Law Journal
Board Member (2017-2019)
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Electric Cooperative Bar Association
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National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors
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LGBT Lawyers of Washington, D.C.
Board Member (2007-2011)
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Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia (GALLOP)
Board Member (2006-2007)
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Recognitions
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Included in Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers (by Thomson Reuters) Rising Stars list, 2014-2016
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Listed, Lawdragon's 500 Leading Energy Lawyers, 2023-2024
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Employment
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Thompson Coburn LLP
Partner, 2021-Present
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Duncan Weinberg Genzer & Pembroke
Partner, 2007-2021
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Bulldog Bootcamp of Chicago
Trainer, Operations Manager, 2000-2004
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Continental Airlines
Ticket and Gate Agent at GSO, ORD and ORF airports, 1994-2000
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U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Infantry
Paratrooper, 1991-1994
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Community
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Chicago Council on Global Affairs
Member
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Military Service
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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
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Matt is a highly experienced energy attorney who helps cooperative and municipal electric utilities and regulated pipeline clients across the country navigate federal and state regulatory matters, market structure issues and appeals of regulatory decisions to the U.S. Courts of Appeals.
Matt also advises non-profit organizations and trade associations, and represents telecommunications clients on a range of regulatory and transactional issues. He is a past president and board member of the 2,000-member Energy Bar Association.
With deep roots in southern Illinois co-op country, Matt intimately understands the philosophy driving co-ops: Provide reliable, affordable energy to members, while making prudent investment in innovations that will help ensure future generations have access to safe, reliable energy sources.
From Thompson Coburn's Chicago and Washington D.C. offices, Matt advises clients on electric, natural gas and oil regulatory matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), state commissions and the federal courts. He regularly represents clients in litigation related to wholesale power and transmission, including rates, terms and conditions of service and the various requirements of state and federal regulations and laws.
Matt's practice is national in scope, with significant experience in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), Pennsylvania, Jersey, Maryland Power Pool (PJM) and California Independent System Operator (CAISO) regions.
Matt also negotiates and drafts various transactional documents associated with the development and operation of energy projects, including power purchase agreements, distribution and transmission interconnection agreements, coordinated operation agreements and other contracts.
For co-op clients that venture into offering broadband or telecommunications services, Matt provides guidance on the intricacies of FCC regulations, relevant legislation, and the development of large- and small-scale communications projects.
Matt also represents nonprofits and trade associations in the energy, energy efficiency, and communications sectors, providing counsel at each stage in the life of a nonprofit, from incorporation to mergers and wind-down.
Energy Regulatory Matters
Successfully challenged a regional transmission organization-wide guaranteed return on equity before FERC, including managing expert witness testimony, cross-examining witnesses, drafting briefs, and pursuing review of certain findings to the U.S. Court of Appeals.
Represented a transmission owner in a technically complex contract interpretation matter challenging and litigating before FERC and the U.S. Court of Appeals another party's compliance with a coordinated operations agreement.
Routinely counsel clients, prepare and submit transmission revenue, reactive requirements and other revenue requirement filings.
Successfully negotiated for the removal from FERC regulation of two outer continental shelf pipeline systems.
Non-Profit Counsel
Routinely advise nascent non-profits on choice of business structure; drafting initial corporate documents, including bylaws, articles of incorporation, conflict of interest policies, whistleblower policies and document retention policies; and board composition, education and management.
Acted as counsel in over a dozen transactions guiding the merger and/or dissolution of non-profits.
Serve as corporate counsel in drafting and interpreting standard and complex contracts, including employee and independent contractor agreements, leases, and event contract matters.
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 legislation to revise state cooperative enabling act to permit the provision of broadband.
Advise clients on compliance with the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act and corresponding federal lobbying and contribution reports.
Advised clients in establishment of political action committees and ongoing reporting requirements.
Presentations
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
Webinar December 2014