|
Donna Barnett is a regulatory litigator with a deep understanding of the rules and statutes affecting her clients’ businesses. Donna appears regularly before the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to secure approvals for her clients’ regulated activities and defend them in investigations and enforcement actions. Donna’s practice focuses primarily on helping her energy and utility clients obtain approvals in cost proceedings, property transactions, and mergers, but she also counsels companies in other highly regulated industries such as transportation and solid waste. Donna also frequently appears in Washington Superior Court, handling allegations related to breaches of contract, lease disputes, the Washington Public Records Act, and administrative appeals.
During her more than 20 years of experience in regulated industries, Donna has developed strong relationships with regulators, opposing counsel, and industry leaders. The strength of these relationships has been critical as she assists her clients in gaining regulatory approvals and demonstrating compliance with complex regulatory obligations. In addition to achieving litigation successes for clients such as Puget Sound Energy, Cascade Natural Gas Company, and Lumen Technology Inc., Donna assists clients in building innovative systems under new legislative frameworks such as for autonomous vehicles.
Donna also drafts legislation and participates in rulemakings so her clients can help shape their industries. For example, she has helped industry leaders amend outdated Washington state regulations to allow for emerging, technology-based markets and comply with new clean energy and decarbonization demands.
