Patrick Black
About Patrick Black
Patrick Black serves as a Director at Fennemore Craig, where he has worked since 2002. He specializes in energy law, representing large industrial electricity customers and independent power producers before regulatory bodies in Arizona.
Work at Fennemore Craig
Patrick Black has served as a Director at Fennemore Craig since 2002, accumulating over 22 years of experience in this role. He co-chairs the Natural Resources, Energy and Utilities Practice Group, focusing on legal matters related to energy and utilities. His responsibilities include representing large industrial electricity customers in rate matters before the Arizona Corporation Commission and advocating for independent power producers and renewable energy developers. He regularly appears before the Arizona Power Plant and Line Siting Committee to address issues concerning the siting of new power plants and transmission lines.
Education and Expertise
Patrick Black studied at Santa Clara University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctor (BS/JD) degree from 1988 to 1994. He also studied Political Science and Government at Santa Clara University School of Law during the same period. His educational background supports his expertise in various regulatory areas, including water and wastewater utility regulation, underground pipeline safety, railroad crossing safety, and telecommunications.
Background
Before joining Fennemore Craig, Patrick Black worked at the Arizona Corporation Commission as a Policy Advisor from 1998 to 2002. In this role, he gained experience in regulatory matters, which laid the foundation for his current work in energy and utility law. He also served as an attorney in the Arizona Corporation Commission’s legal division, further enhancing his understanding of the legal frameworks governing the energy sector.
Professional Involvement
Patrick Black is actively involved in the regulatory landscape of Arizona's energy sector. He regularly represents large industrial electricity customers in rate matters before the Arizona Corporation Commission. His role includes advocating for independent power producers and developers of renewable energy projects, such as solar, wind, and biogas. His participation in the Arizona Power Plant and Line Siting Committee highlights his commitment to addressing critical energy infrastructure issues.