Randall S. Rich

Randall S. Rich is a partner at Pierce Atwood and the partner-in-charge of its Washington, DC office. His practice focuses on energy regulation, particularly the natural gas and oil industries. With more than forty years of experience, he counsels energy and utility clients in contested proceedings, multiparty settlements, applications, rulemakings, and enforcement investigations. He represents clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the US Department of Energy, and state public utility commissions.

Randall earned a J.D. from Washington University in St. Louis and a B.A. from Brandeis University, graduating magna cum laude. He began his legal career in the Office of General Counsel of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. That education and early government experience provided a foundation for decades of work involving federal energy statutes, agency procedure, pipeline regulation, tariffs, certificates, ratemaking, enforcement, and transactions affecting natural gas and oil markets.

Randall advises on natural gas transportation, gathering, marketing and trading, Natural Gas Act exemptions, FERC compliance, business transactions, cross-border Presidential Permits, renewable natural gas projects, and oil pipeline regulation. His representative work includes pipeline rate cases, interconnection negotiations, renewable natural gas contracting, licensing and customer-transfer proceedings, pipeline abandonment matters, and appellate review of FERC certificates. He has also worked with consultants to foreign governments on drafting new natural gas laws.

Randall S. Rich has been recognized by Best Lawyers, Chambers USA, Chambers Global, and Super Lawyers for energy-related work. His professional activities include longstanding involvement with the Energy Bar Association and the Gas and Oil Association of WV, along with pro bono and civic service. His practice is specifically centered on energy and regulatory law rather than general business law. He brings deep FERC experience to complex matters involving pipelines, utilities, producers, marketers, shippers, and energy project developers.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Pierce Atwood LLP
• Member, District of Columbia Bar
• Co-Chair, Energy Bar Association (2022-2024)
• Member, American Bar Association (1986-2020)
• Member, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs
• Member, Gas and Oil Association of WV (Formerly Independent Oil & Gas Association of West Virginia, Inc.) (1986-Present)
• Member, Pierce Atwood Pro Bono Committee
• Member, Pierce Atwood Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
• Coach, GeoPlunge (2013-Present)
• Pronouncer, Anne Beers Spelling Bee (2017)

Licensed State

• District of Columbia

Education

• Washington University
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Brandeis University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA) (Magna Cum Laude)

Awards & Badges