Title: Senior Counsel
Company: 1) Husch Blackwell LLP; 2) Hoecker Energy Law & Policy PLLC
Location: Middleburgh, Virginia, United States
James J. Hoecker, JD, PhD, senior counsel at Husch Blackwell LLP and Hoecker Energy Law & Policy PLLC, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Lawyers for dedication, achievements, and leadership in legal services.
With over four and a half decades of experience, Dr. Hoecker has built a successful career in legal services, specializing in federal and state policy, natural gas, electric power, and renewable energy. Since 2008, he has excelled as senior counsel at Husch Blackwell LLP and Hoecker Energy Law & Policy PLLC, where he represents clients before regulatory tribunals, particularly the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state public utilities. His previous roles include partner at Vinson & Elkins LLP from 2004 to 2008. A notable achievement in his career was his appointment by President Bill Clinton to serve as commissioner and later chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from 1993 to 2001. In this influential role, he spearheaded significant restructuring of the electric grid, implemented consumer protection reforms, and streamlined agency operations. Earlier in his career, he served as a professor of history at Adrian College and a teaching assistant at the University of Kentucky. He is also the author of “Joseph Priestley and the Idea of Progress,” published by Garland Press in 1988.
Dr. Hoecker is a member of Phi Alpha Theta, serves as counsel for the Railroad Electrification Coalition, and is a member of the Energy Bar Association. He is also the founder and chief executive officer of the International Pipeline Resilience Organization since 2019 and was the founder, counsel, and advisor for WIRES from 2005 to 2020. He also dedicates his time as a volunteer with Trinity Episcopal Church, is a member of the Virginia Democratic Committee, and served as a past board member of Local Press, which publishes contemporary fiction and poetry. In light of his impressive undertakings, he has been honored with several accolades, including being named Best Lawyers in America in 2022 and 2023, receiving Congressional Recognition from the 118th Congress by Rep. Debbie Dingell in 2019, the Distinguished Service Award from the National Energy Resource Organization in 2001, and the Silver Good Citizenship Medal from the Sons of the American Revolution.
He laid a solid educational foundation for these successes with a bachelor’s degree in history, philosophy, and French from Northland College in 1973, a Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1978, and a PhD from the University of Kentucky in 1975. Additionally, He holds bar admissions to the Supreme Court of the United States since 1988, the District of Columbia since 1980, the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin since 1978, Wisconsin since 1978, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Mr. Hoecker has extensive experience as a leader in government, notably during the Clinton administration, where he served as both a commissioner and chairman of an agency. His background as an administrative lawyer gives him a deep understanding of government operations, procedures, and the constraints on various agencies, with expertise in areas such as corporate organization, mergers, and energy policies. After his tenure in the agency, he practiced at another firm and established advocacy organizations, one of which he led for 15 years before passing the leadership to someone else.
Mr. Hoecker attributes his achievements to his close involvement with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, both during his time in government and afterward. His legal practice is deeply influenced by the agency’s activities, making it a significant focus of his work. He takes great pride in having led the agency and to continue addressing its issues from an external perspective. In advising aspiring professionals, he emphasizes the importance of seeking diverse experiences. In his own journey, he worked as a lawyer in both private practice and government before returning to private practice to focus on policy work. He believes gaining diverse experiences is essential for building expertise and developing a well-rounded understanding of the legal profession.
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