About the Practice
Rapid load growth is reshaping the energy landscape. Demand is outpacing existing generation and infrastructure, while supply chain constraints and evolving regulatory frameworks create risk at every stage of project development and operation.
Success in this environment requires disciplined execution, clear risk allocation, and experienced advisors. For utilities, developers, power producers, suppliers, and contractors, that means turning to a law firm like Smith Gambrell & Russell. Across distributed generation and utility-scale solar, battery energy storage, and thermal generation resources, our team guides clients through planning, procurement, construction, commissioning, and commercial operation of complex energy projects.
Our Capabilities
Our practice advises clients on sophisticated energy transactions, utility procurements, project development and construction, and strategic resource acquisitions across the power sector. We combine deep transactional experience with practical knowledge of regulated utility operations, project development, interconnection, procurement design, and commercial risk allocation.
Our involvement does not end when the transaction closes. We serve as trusted advisors throughout the project lifecycle, helping clients navigate development, procurement, construction, commissioning, and commercial operation. From anticipating emerging risks to resolving issues before they become costly disputes, delays, or operational challenges, we work alongside our clients to help keep projects moving forward and achieve successful outcomes.
Clients benefit from the collective strength of our multidisciplinary team. Energy projects often require coordinated advice across transactional, regulatory, environmental, real estate, construction, finance, tax, government affairs, and dispute resolution disciplines. We bring those capabilities together to provide integrated, practical solutions tailored to each project's unique challenges and objectives.
Our Approach
In an industry undergoing rapid transformation, we believe the best legal advice begins with understanding our clients' businesses. We invest the time to understand your objectives, operational realities, risk tolerance, and long-term strategy so that our advice is practical, commercially informed, and aligned with your goals.
We view every engagement as a partnership. Whether working with in-house counsel, business leaders, project developers, engineers, procurement professionals, or operations personnel, we collaborate closely with stakeholders across an organization to help move projects and transactions forward. Our goal is not simply to close a deal, but to build trusted relationships that endure across projects, procurements, and market cycles.
Our approach is forward-looking. We help clients identify opportunities, navigate evolving market and regulatory conditions, and position their organizations for long-term success. From structuring transformative transactions and resource procurements to advising executives on strategic initiatives, we provide counsel that supports both immediate objectives and broader business priorities.
Energy projects and commercial transactions often involve significant development, construction, operational, regulatory, and market risks. We help clients identify, evaluate, and allocate those risks in a manner that protects project value, preserves commercial relationships, and reduces the likelihood of disputes, delays, and unexpected costs. By combining legal judgment with industry knowledge, we help clients execute transactions and projects with confidence.
Our Credentials
Clients come to us because we combine sophisticated legal experience with a practical understanding of the energy business. Many of our lawyers joined SGR after practicing at Am Law 100 firms or serving in-house with energy companies. Those experiences provide a firsthand understanding of the pressures, priorities, and business realities our clients face every day. We understand that successful energy projects and transactions require more than academic legal analysis. Clients need practical, business-oriented counsel that helps move projects and transactions forward, appropriately manage risk, and achieve strategic objectives. Our advice is informed not only by legal considerations, but also by an appreciation of the commercial, operational, and regulatory factors that drive decision-making across the energy sector.
