William S Scherman

William S. Scherman joined Skadden, Arps as a partner in the Energy Department after serving as general counsel for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for more than three years. Prior to that, Mr. Scherman had been Chief of Staff and Senior Legal and Policy Advisor for the FERC beginning in 1987. Drawing on the knowledge and experience gained during his over six years at the FERC, Mr. Scherman provides litigation, commercial, regulatory and legislative advice to clients regarding both the U.S. and international energy markets. During his tenure at the FERC, Mr. Scherman played a key role in a number of major policy initiatives. He helped guide the Commission’s efforts to foster greater competition in the electric utility industry. In this connection, Mr. Scherman contributed to the development of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and testified before Congress on numerous occasions with regard to the legislation and other energy-related matters. Mr. Scherman also played a major role in developing Order No. 636, a landmark order reforming the natural gas pipeline industry. As the FERC’s chief legal officer, Mr. Scherman also was responsible for coordinating and formulating strategy for the Commission’s litigation before various federal appellate courts. During the last several years, Mr. Scherman has been heavily involved in several very high-profile trials before the FERC. For instance, his client El Paso Merchant Energy was vindicated by the FERC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge against allegations of market power. Mr. Scherman utilizes his expertise in market power issues in advising companies on mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Scherman also has defended Entergy Corporation in several extended trials addressing cutting-edge issues. These include a six-month trial before the FERC regarding whether certain affiliated company power supply arrangements are in the best interests of the utilities’ customers. Mr. Scherman also has been very active in legislative matters. For instance, he has played a key role in modifying the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 to allow electric utilities to participate in the telecommunications industry. He also was very active in efforts to enact comprehensive energy legislation. Mr. Scherman speaks regularly on energy issues at various industry and government sponsored forums. He is a member of the Keystone Energy Board (a prominent non profit think tank that seeks bipartisan policy consensus on key energy and environmental issues) and is a regular participant in the Harvard Electricity Policy Group. He also was recently selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2008 for energy law, in Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2008 and Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2008.