Paul Korman

Member

Paul Korman has more than twenty years of experience in complex litigation before federal and state courts and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). He advises interstate pipelines, intrastate pipelines, natural gas producers, marketers and distribution companies on virtually all aspects of natural gas regulation. Mr. Korman represents companies and investors in complaints and confidential investigations before FERC and other regulatory agencies involving both natural gas and electricity.  In November 2007, he was invited to be a member of the “Practitioners Panel” at the FERC’s first conference on EPAct 2005 Enforcement.

Mr. Korman has successfully litigated rate, complaint and certificate cases on behalf of interstate pipelines.  For example, he successfully represented Dominion Cove Point LNG in its most recent FERC rate case. In another representation, on behalf of Trailblazer Pipeline Company, Mr. Korman won an Initial Decision resulting in a rate higher than that applied for by Trailblazer:  the decision resulted in a favorable settlement.

Mr. Korman also assists clients in resolving investigations by the FERC Office of Enforcement and the staff of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. He provides compliance training for regulated entities on FERC’s standards of conduct and rules prohibiting market manipulation. He also has been responsible for conducting internal investigations. Following the California electricity crisis, Mr. Korman successfully resolved a FERC show cause proceeding on behalf of a client accused of complicity in certain electricity trading schemes.

Professional Background

Prior to joining Van Ness Feldman, Mr. Korman served as the Assistant General Counsel of MidCon Corp., a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum Corporation. In addition to representing MidCon Corp. at FERC, he was responsible for all phases of complex litigation between two interstate pipelines, which included proceedings before federal and state courts and the FERC. He also managed administrative litigation and won reversal of an order seeking $1 billion in restitution, thus precipitating a favorable settlement.

Government Service

Assistant to Commissioner George Hall , Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 1977-1979

Special Assistant, Federal Power Commission, 1975-1977

Professional and Civic Affiliations

• American Bar Association
• Energy Bar Association

Speaking Engagements

• FERC Compliance Summit 2008, May 19, 2008
• Conference on Enforcement Policy, November 16, 2007