Overview
Micaela Hyams focuses her practice on energy regulatory and policy matters, with a focus on electric work. Micaela represents regulated energy companies in compliance and enforcement issues before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Micaela’s experience in energy and environmental regulation and policy makes her particularly poised to support clients in the energy transition.
On the environmental side, Micaela has supported a wide range of clients in the chemicals and life sciences industries in compliance and policy under several federal statutes, including those administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
Micaela maintains a robust pro bono practice. During law school, Micaela focused on voter protection advocacy work in multiple capacities and has continued that work at Steptoe, serving with Steptoe's Voter Protection Hotline. Micaela is also passionate about access to outdoor recreation and was part of a Steptoe team that advocated on behalf of a pro bono client to successfully secure year-round pedestrian access to Washington’s Rock Creek Park. In law school, Micaela served as a law clerk for the US Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division.
- Maryland
- District of Columbia
- J.D., The Pennsylvania State University, Penn State Law, 2022, summa cum laude, Rupprecht Valedictorian Award
- B.S., The University of Oregon, 2016, Phi Beta Kappa, Environmental Science; Political Science
Areas of Work
Representative Matters
Energy
- Advising an electric utility in Section 205 rate proceedings, including through technical conference and settlement proceedings.
- Advising regulated entities in enforcement matters before FERC’s Office of Enforcement and in internal investigations.
- Advised electric utilities and natural gas and oil pipelines in FERC regulatory requirements, with a special focus on novel ratemaking and tariff questions.
- Advised regulated entities in obligations under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act.
- Advised a natural gas pipeline with regard to its obligations under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act.
Environmental and Chemicals
- Advised natural gas pipeline regarding environmental regulation of landfill gas.
- Provided policy advice regarding EPA's authority to regulate non-hazardous waste recycling under RCRA.
Pro Bono
- Advising a client in a complex immigration proceeding.
- Advised a Washington-area nonprofit in NEPA matters arising from the National Park Service's actions, ultimately resulting in a favorable outcome for the client without litigation.
- Was part of a team that filed a petition for certiorari before the US Supreme Court on behalf of a veteran and his spouse under USERRA and the Due Process Clause.
News & Publications
StepTechToe
Toward a National AI Framework: The Federal Strategy to Override State Regulation
December 17, 2025
By: Michelle Castaline, Tyler Evans, Evelyn Hudson, Micaela Hyams, Michelle Kallen, William M. Keyser, Corey D. Laplante, Michele Nellenbach, Marlon Paz, Christopher Suarez, Peyton Thomas