Photo:

Cliona Robb (Photo)

First Name:Cliona Middle Initial:Mary Last Name:Robb

Role:Partner

909 East Main Street
Suite 1200
Richmond, VA 23219-3095

I Accept I Decline

Bio:

Cliona Mary Robb, LEED® AP, is chair of the firm's Sustainability: Energy and Green Development practice group, and is a member of both the Energy and Telecommunications groups.  Her work is typically adverse to monopoly utilities.  She represents municipal, industrial, and commercial customers of electric, natural gas, and water utilities regarding rate, service and transmission line siting.  She also works on renewable energy transactions involving solar power and wind power.  Her work on behalf of providers includes representing competitive telecommunications providers, solar power providers, cable companies, and independent power producers. She is admitted to practice in Virginia.

More Information:

Ms. Robb holds the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® Accredited Professional designation. The LEED rating system is the national standard used to support and certify green building design, construction and operations. She was the first female attorney in Virginia to earn the certification. In addition, Ms. Robb has been active in bar activities, serving as chair of the Virginia State Bar (VSB) Administrative Law Section, chair of the VSB Administrative Law Section National Regulatory Conference, and editor of the VSB Administrative Law Section newsletter. She currently serves on a VSB Disciplinary Committee for investigating legal ethics complaints.

Representative Local Government Matters

 Counsel for Virginia Energy Governmental Association (VEPGA), an association of local governments in Virginia Power's service territory, for contract negotiations with Virginia Power, and lead counsel for purchase of renewable energy certificates to assist in compliance with Clean Air Act requirements.

 Counsel for Northern Virginia Electric Customer Group, an association of local governments in Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative's service territory, for contract negotiations with electric cooperative, and counsel for public utility commission proceeding impacting wholesale rates.

Representative Energy Services Matters

 Advising large energy users that seek to optimize opportunities in PJM and other load response programs.

 Negotiating for purchasers of green energy.

 Advising on major energy legislation considered by the Virginia General Assembly.

 Representing local governments and developers in public utility commission proceedings involving siting of electric transmission lines.

Representative Power Producers Matters

 Negotiating purchase power contracts for independent power producers.

 Negotiating interconnection agreements for qualifying facilities.

 Representing waste-to-energy facility on avoided cost proceeding before public service commission.

Representative Telecommunications and Cable Matters

• Negotiating cable franchise agreements.

 Advising on implementation of statewide cable franchising provisions.

 Seeking regulatory approvals for certificates to provide competitive telecommunications services.

 Advising on rulemaking proceedings at public utility commission.

Education

Duke University School of Law, J.D., 1992
Notes Editor, Alaska Law Review

Duke University, M.A., 1992

Princeton University, A.B., 1985
Varsity Cross Country and Track & Field Teams

Woodberry Forest School, 1981
Varsity Cross Country and Track & Field Teams

Recognitions

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® Accredited Professional (LEED® AP)
• 
2009

Best Lawyers in America
Energy Law, 2009-2011

Women in Cable Telecommunications Inspire and Others Will Follow Award
2007

Women in Cable Telecommunications Pinnacle Award
2006

Qualified for Boston Marathon with time of 3:09 

Publications/Presentations

Author, "It Isn't Easy Being Green," Virginia State Bar Administrative Law News, March 2009

Moderator, "How Regional Interests Outside Virginia Could Impact the Siting of Transmission Lines in Virginia," Commonwealth of Virginia Energy and Sustainability (COVES) Conference, Lexington, Virginia, 2007

• "Electric Reregulation: What Will It Really Mean?" Virginia Association of Planning Commissions, Winter Conference, 2007

"The Future of Electric Rates in Virginia," Hampton Roads Majors and Chairs Caucus, 2006

 "Electric Utilities:  Finding a Balance Between Markets and Regulation," Commonwealth of Virginia Energy and Sustainability (COVES) Conference, Lexington, Virginia, 2006

• Numerous energy and telecommunications related lectures and presentations at conferences and continuing legal education programs

Professional Affiliations

Virginia State Bar
Disciplinary System, Third District Committee, Section II, Secretary, 2008-2009
Administrative Law Section Board of Governors, former Chair; National Regulatory Conference Planning Committee, 2008-present

Virginia Chapter of Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT)
Member, Board of Directors
President, 2009
Treasurer, 2005-2007

Energy Bar Association
Member

Virginia Bar Association
Administrative Law and Business Law Sections

Richmond Bar Association
Member

Metropolitan Richmond Women's Bar Association
Member

Community Involvement

Leadership Metro Richmond
Chair, 2004 LMR Fall Conference Committee
Class of 2003

Friends Association for Children
Board of Trustees, Member

Refugee and Immigration Services of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond
Community Service Board, Member

St. Thomas More Society
Executive Committee, Member

Jane's Group
Founding member of book group established September 1992

FIRST Lego League
2008: Research Mentor, Demon Squirrels
2007: Research Mentor, Demon Squirrels; Delaware State Champion's Award, Second Place
2007: Research Mentor, Blue Dragons Team (St. Michael's Episcopal School); Virginia State Champions; FIRST Lego League World Festival Honorable Mention
2006: Research Coach, Team Botzilla (St. Michael's Episcopal School); advanced to Virginia State Tournament