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William Scherman
William Scherman
Partner — Energy Regulation
E: wscherman@velaw.com T: +1.202.639.6550
VCard BIO PDF
Partner — Energy Regulation

William Scherman

William Scherman
Washington, D.C.
T: +1.202.639.6550
F: +1.202.879.8950

2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 500 West
Washington, D.C. 20037

E: wscherman@velaw.com
VCard BIO PDF
William Scherman

Bill advises companies on litigation, commercial, regulatory and legislative matters relating to the U.S. and international energy markets. He has litigated high-profile energy investigation and enforcement matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and in the federal courts. He represents large electric utilities before the FERC and state regulators. Bill previously served as general counsel for the FERC and also served as chief of staff and senior legal and policy advisor.

Bill is heavily involved in very high-profile trials before the FERC involving rate, market power and market manipulation issues. He utilizes his experience in market power issues in advising companies on mergers and acquisitions.

During his tenure at the FERC, he played a key role in major policy initiatives, including the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and Order No. 636, which reformed the natural gas pipeline industry. As the FERC’s chief legal officer, he was responsible for the agency’s litigation strategy before federal appellate courts.

Credentials

  • University of Louisville, J.D., 1984 (Law Review, Articles Editor)
  • The George Washington University, B.A., 1980
  • General Counsel, FERC, 1990–1993
  • Chief of Staff and Senior Legal and Policy Advisor, FERC, 1987–1993
  • Legal 500 U.S., Energy Regulation: Oil & Gas, 2024; Energy Regulation: Electric Power, 2024
  • The Best Lawyers in America® in energy law
  • Selected to the 500 Leading Energy Lawyers, Lawdragon, 2023 and 2024
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation), 2003–2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings, LLC), Litigation – Environmental (Washington), 2025
  • Selected to the D.C. Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2007–2024
  • Who’s Who Legal (Law Business Research Ltd.), Energy, 2018–2023
  • Euromoney’s Expert Guides in the Energy and Environment guide, 2017
  • Selected to the Top 50 Energy & Environmental Trailblazers, National Law Journal, 2015
  • SNL Energy‘s 10 Most Influential People, 2014
  • America’s Leading Lawyers for Business’ BTI Client Service All-Star, 2014
  • Member: Keystone Energy Board; Harvard Electricity Policy Group
  • District of Columbia

News & Insights

Event Recap
2024 Energy Regulatory Conference
Outlook on the New AdministrationRegulatory Roundup
November 14, 2024
Insight
FERC Issues Order on Remand for Transmission Return on Equity Methodology, but Leaves the Door Open for Future Challenges

V&E Energy Update

Regulatory Roundup
October 23, 2024
Insight
FERC Initiates Supplemental Rulemaking Seeking Comments on Oil Pipeline Index Levels Following Pipeline Victory at D.C. Circuit in LEPA v. FERC

V&E Energy Update

Regulatory Roundup
October 18, 2024
Event Recap
Redefining Agency Power: The Impact of the Supreme Court’s Decisions in Jarkesy, Loper Bright, and Corner Post
July 11, 2024
Video