Laura A. Chappelle
Partner
Practice Areas
Education
Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School
Kalamazoo, Michigan
J.D.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
B.A.
Bar Admissions
Michigan
Court Admissions
All Michigan state courts
U.S. Supreme Court
Energy and Environmental Attorney
Laura practices energy law with a focus on regulatory and legal policy matters affecting both state and federal energy sectors. She has more than 25 years of experience handling state and regional energy issues, including prior service as chairman and commissioner of the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). Before her time at the MPSC, she held legal and policy advisory roles for the Michigan Governor, Speaker of the House, and both the Michigan House and Senate.
Laura represents a variety of clients before the MPSC, including independent power producers, energy marketers, manufacturers, public entities, and trade associations. She also advises on matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and in regional transmission organizations including PJM and MISO.
Her recent work includes forming and advising associations of industrial energy users and renewable generators, negotiating long-term power purchase agreements, and representing clients in contested proceedings involving utility acquisitions and major infrastructure projects. She also assists large institutional clients in obtaining federal waivers and working through regulatory frameworks applicable to their generation assets.
Honors and Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law, since 2017
Best Lawyers in America®, Women in the Law Spring Business Edition, Energy Regulatory Law, 2017
Professional Affiliations
Michigan Energy Options, Board Member, 2024 – present
State Bar of Michigan, Administrative and Regulatory Law Section, Chair, 2017-2018
Energy Bar Association, since 2009
Governor Rick Snyder, Legal Transition Team, 2011
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, Electricity Committee, Vice Chair, 2004-2007; Broadband over Power Line Task Force, Chair
Organization of MISO States (OMS), President, 2007; Treasurer, 2003
Organization of PJM States (OPSI), Vice President, 2007-2010
State Bar of Michigan, Commissioner-at-large, 2007-2010
Working Group of the Consumer Energy Council of America (CECA), Co-chair, 2004-2005
Community Involvement
Advancing Women in Energy (AWE), Co-founder and Advisory Board Member, 2016-2021