Zachary S. Launer

As partner in our Energy Regulatory group, Zachary Launer has developed a comprehensive practice focused on natural gas and liquids pipeline regulatory work before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state public utilities commissions. Through his career, Zack has witnessed firsthand the impacts of the shale gas revolution on both the natural gas markets and the interstate gas pipeline network and has helped numerous pipeline companies navigate this increasingly complex, dynamic, and competitive environment in a variety of strategic and novel ways.

Zack’s clients include some of the largest corporations in the industry where he has represented them in multi-billion-dollar natural gas pipeline rate litigation at FERC, including preparing and filing some of the largest recent section 4 rate cases that contained some of the industry’s most innovative pipeline modernization programs. Additionally, Zack has also assisted clients in reaching complex and highly contested rate agreements as he understands how to achieve favorable commercial outcomes. Zack has also represented numerous clients in certificate proceedings and compliance matters, including assisting clients in navigating various large, complex non-public enforcement investigations and audits.

Additionally, Zack has experience counseling clients on multimillion dollar transactional matters and has negotiated various pipeline service agreements, precedent agreements, interconnection agreements, and other pipeline contracts, as well as advising clients through breach of contract claims involving FERC-regulated transportation agreements in both state and federal court. Furthermore, Zack has helped bring appeals of FERC decisions on behalf of energy industry clients in a U.S. Circuit Court.

Zack previously worked as a summer associate with Hogan Lovells and is an active member of the firm’s LGBTQ+ Affinity Group.