Phil has been an Associate with HMS Legal since 2021 and primarily represents clients before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and Appellate Courts. Phil’s clients include public utilities (electric, natural gas, water and sewer), pipeline operators, large industrial customers, and municipalities.  Phil has zealously worked with clients in matters concerning mergers and acquisitions, base rate case litigation, regulatory compliance, taxes, cybersecurity, and land use and development.

Prior to joining HMS Legal, Phil was an Assistant Consumer Advocate Attorney with the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate (PA OCA).  Phil represented the PA OCA in state appeals, transmission line siting litigation, base rate case litigation, and proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.  Phil was also heavily involved in developing the agency’s policies towards electric vehicle infrastructure, distributed energy resources, and the rate treatment of tax changes.

Representative Matters

• Energy Transfer and Sunoco Pipeline L.P.: Counsel in PA PUC matters involving service, facilities extension and construction litigation, right to know law requests, and regulatory compliance matters, including, but not limited to:
  • Rulemaking Regarding Hazardous Liquid Public Utility Safety Standards at 52 Pa. Code Chapter 59, Docket No. L-2019-3010267
  • Application of Aqua Pennsylvania Wastewater, Inc. pursuant to Sections 1102, 1329 and 507 of the Public Utility Code for approval of the acquisition by Aqua of the wastewater system assets of the Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority, Docket No. A-2019-3015173
  • Samuel Cortes v. Middletown Township and Energy Transfer, No. CV-2021-009725
• Pike County Light & Power Company: Counsel in PA PUC matters involving rates, service, facilities extension and construction, and regulatory compliance, including:
  • Joint Application of Pike County Light and Power Company, et al., for Certificates of Public Convenience under Sections 1102(a)(3), et al., to Carry Out the Indirect Transfer of Control of Pike County Light and Power Company’s and Leatherstocking Gas Company, LLC’s Parent Corporation Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation By Merger, Docket No. A-2021-3025659, et al.
  • State Tax Adjustment Surcharge compliance filings
• Leatherstocking Gas Company, LLC: Counsel in PA PUC matters involving, rates, service, facilities extension and construction, and regulatory compliance, including:
  • Pa. Pub. Util. Comm’n v. Leatherstocking Gas Co., LLC, Docket No. R-2022-3032764
• Community Utilities of Pennsylvania, Inc.: Counsel in PA PUC matters involving rates, service, facilities extension and construction, and regulatory compliance, including:
  • Rulemaking to Review Cyber Security Self-Certification Requirements and the Criteria for Cyber Attack Reporting, Docket No. L-2022-3034353
• Columbia Water Company: Counsel in PA PUC matters involving rates, service, facilities extension and construction, and regulatory compliance, including:
  • Use of Fully Projected Future Test Year 52 Pa. Code Chapter 53.51-53.56a; Docket No. L-2012-2317273
• The Pennsylvania State University: Counsel in PA PUC matters involving utility siting and agreements or advice for extensions of water, sewer, electric and gas utility facilities; Columbia Natural Gas and West Penn Power rate or energy proceedings, natural gas transportation service, default service proceedings; and 1307(f) gas supply and access proceedings.
• Erie Indemnity Company
  • Erie Indemnity Company v. nTherm, LLC, Docket No. C-2022-3036531

Previous Experience

• Assistant Consumer Advocate, Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate, 2017-2021
• Judicial Extern, the Honourable John A. Gibney Jr., 2016
• Legal Intern, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, 2016
• Law Clerk, United States Attorney’s Office, 2015

Professional Affiliations

• Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Public Utility Law Section, Council
• Energy Bar Association
• James S. Bowman Inns of Court

Training

• The Institute of Public Utilities’ 60^th Annual Regulatory Studies Program, August 2018
• 47^th Eastern NARUC Utility Rate School, October 2019