Overview
(June 26, 2018, Chicago) — Steptoe & Johnson LLP is pleased to announce that Mark Johnson has joined the firm as a partner in the Energy Group. He will reside in the firm’s Chicago office.
Johnson focuses his practice on utility regulation and restructuring, and counsels energy clients on regulatory matters including performance-based formula ratemaking, Smart Grid, energy efficiency, renewable energy, distributed generation and net metering, clean coal, energy procurement, utility restructuring and competitive market development, municipal aggregation and financing. Johnson also devotes a substantial portion of his practice to counseling clients on the preparation, implementation and interpretation of legislation related to these issues. He has handled numerous matters for clients before the Illinois Commerce Commission.
Among his major accomplishments, Johnson advised on the development of the 2011 Illinois Energy Infrastructure and Modernization Act, which digitized the state’s electric grid, and represented an electric utility client – the largest electric utility in Illinois – in the first formula ratemaking cases under the law. He also served as lead outside legislative counsel for the client in the drafting and passage of Illinois’ comprehensive Future Energy Jobs Act in 2016, for which he was recognized by the Financial Times in the 2017 North America Innovative Lawyers report. Johnson has been ranked in Chambers USA and recognized in The Legal 500.
In addition to his energy practice, Johnson has substantial experience in the areas of white-collar crime and antitrust litigation and counseling.
“Mark is an energetic, entrepreneurial lawyer who brings a wealth of experience advising some of the country’s largest energy and utility companies on major regulatory issues,” said Steptoe Chair Phil West. “His arrival not only expands our Energy Group to the Midwest, but broadens the capabilities we offer clients in state regulatory work.”
Johnson remarked: “Steptoe has a strong energy regulatory practice with a national platform. But what also attracted me to the firm is its collegial and inclusive environment and culture, which is conducive to growing my practice.”
Steptoe’s Energy Group is consistently recognized by Chambers Global and Chambers USA for having top-tier electric power and oil and gas pipeline practices. The broad-based energy team at Steptoe includes a former FERC commissioner and other former senior level regulators.
Johnson earned his J.D. from the University of Iowa, with distinction, and his B.A., cum laude, from Wheaton College. He is the chair of the Chicago Bar Association Energy Committee and serves on the board of directors of StreetWise, a Chicago non-profit organization.
About Steptoe
In more than 100 years of practice, Steptoe has earned an international reputation for vigorous representation of clients before governmental agencies, successful advocacy in litigation and arbitration, and creative and practical advice in structuring business transactions. Steptoe has more than 500 lawyers and other professional staff across offices in Beijing, Brussels, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.