Overview
Karen Bruni focuses her energy practice on the regulation of electric utilities by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), particularly matters involving enforcement, compliance, and investigations, including matters concerning energy offers and trading in PJM and the California ISO (CAISO). She also assists electric utilities before FERC in proceedings related to transmission and interconnection issues, electric utility mergers and asset acquisitions, and rate and cost allocation. Additionally, Karen counsels electric utilities before federal courts in litigations related to enforcement and antitrust matters.
As a complement to her work in the energy industry, Karen advises traders, financial market utilities, and other financial services clients on enforcement and regulatory compliance matters, including before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Before entering private practice with Steptoe, Karen served as a legal fellow for the US Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Additionally, she worked on energy market issues in both for-profit and nonprofit settings, including at The Brattle Group, and with US businesses on investment opportunities for Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), the economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Karen is also committed to Steptoe's pro bono efforts and especially dedicated to helping kids in the Washington, DC area secure appropriate public education services. Through her work with the Children's Law Center, she provides advocacy for DC's at risk children both in school meetings and administrative hearings.
- California
- District of Columbia
- J.D., Harvard Law School, 2016
- B.A., American University, 2012, magna cum laude
News & Publications
Client Alerts
FERC Doubles Down on Investigations and Climate; CFTC Joins the Fray
February 23, 2021
By: Daniel A. Mullen, Shaun Boedicker, Donna Byrne, Charles R. Mills, Monique Watson, Wesley J. Heath, Laura Swett, Karen Bruni
Client Alerts
FERC/NERC Open Joint Inquiry Amidst Plunging Temperatures
February 18, 2021 (updated February 19, 2021)
By: Daniel A. Mullen, Shaun Boedicker, Donna Byrne, Charles R. Mills, Monique Watson, Wesley J. Heath, Laura Swett, Karen Bruni
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 125 Individual Mentions in Best Lawyers in America 2021
August 20, 2020
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 28 Practice Rankings, 29 Individual Awards in Legal 500 US 2020
July 7, 2020
Client Alerts
CFTC Issues Civil Monetary Penalty Guidance for the First Time Since 1994
May 22, 2020
By: Stacie R. Hartman, Matthew B. Kulkin, Charles R. Mills, Daniel A. Mullen, Karen Bruni
Client Alerts
FERC Addresses Enforcement and Compliance-Related Issues During COVID-19 Pandemic
April 3, 2020
By: Donna Byrne, Charles R. Mills, Daniel A. Mullen, Wesley J. Heath, Karen Bruni
Press Releases
Steptoe Receives 30 Practice, 149 Individual Mentions in Legal 500 US 2019
June 5, 2019
Publications
As Cyberattacks Loom, So Does Regulators' Increased Scrutiny of Utilities' Cybersecurity Systems
Energy Law Report
May 7, 2019
By: Charles R. Mills, Daniel A. Mullen, Steven J. Ross, Wesley J. Heath, Shaun Boedicker, Karen Bruni
Client Alerts
As Cyberattacks Loom, So Does Regulators' Increased Scrutiny of Utilities' Cybersecurity Systems
February 20, 2019
By: Charles R. Mills, Daniel A. Mullen, Steven J. Ross, Wesley J. Heath, Shaun Boedicker, Karen Bruni
Client Alerts
Steady Ahead: 2018 Report on Enforcement Suggests Business as Usual
November 20, 2018
By: Charles R. Mills, Daniel A. Mullen, Wesley J. Heath, Shaun Boedicker, Karen Bruni
Events
Webinars
The Intersection of Antitrust and Regulation
April 18, 2018
Speakers: Douglas G. Green, Anthony J. LaRocca
Noteworthy
- Best Lawyers in America, "One to Watch," Energy Law (2021)
-
Legal 500 US, Rising Stars, Energy Litigation: Conventional Power (2019-2020)
Professional Affiliations
-
Chair, Disputes & Resolution Steering Committee, Energy Bar Association