Carolyn Elefant

Carolyn Elefant founded her own energy law practice in 1993 and maintains an office in Bethesda, Maryland. Her practice focuses on energy regulation, renewable energy development, landowner rights, and eminent domain. She handles litigation, appeals, jury trials, and mediation in matters where energy projects intersect with government requirements or property interests. She also works on legal and policy questions connected to the transition toward cleaner sources of energy.

Carol earned a B.A. from Brandeis University in 1985, graduating magna cum laude, and a J.D. from Cornell Law School in 1988. She served on Cornell’s Moot Court Board. Following law school, she worked as an attorney-advisor at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and as an associate at national law firms. That combination of legal education and early regulatory experience established the foundation for her later work with energy companies and project developers.

Carol has advised on renewable energy policy and development while representing parties in regulatory proceedings and litigation. Her work includes issues affecting offshore renewable energy, landowner rights, and the exercise of eminent domain. Beyond client representation, she has advocated for technology in law practice and advised legal technology companies. She has also handled pro bono foreclosure and credit matters, extending her legal work beyond energy-related disputes and transactions.

Carolyn Elefant has been recognized in Washington, D.C., Super Lawyers for Energy and Natural Resources beginning in 2012. She has spoken at conferences, webinars, and law schools, including Harvard, George Washington University, and the University of Maryland. She also writes about law practice and entrepreneurship. Her experience spans regulatory policy, courtroom advocacy, and professional education, with an emphasis on addressing changing legal issues in the energy industry.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant
• Member, Maryland State Bar Association

Licensed State

• Maryland

Education

• Cornell Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD)

Awards & Badges