Overview

Orrie is an associate at Michael Best with a focus on energy law and policy, regulatory compliance, and customs, tariff, and trade regulation. Bringing experience from roles in both public and private sectors, he offers clients practical insights into navigating legal and business challenges in regulated industries.

Energy clients appreciate Orrie’s experience winning regulatory approvals, including Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCNs) and Certificates of Authority (CAs) for from the Wisconsin Public Service Commission and delivering other energy regulatory successes before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state public utility commissions.

International Trade clients appreciate Orrie’s legal and business knowledge of import and export duties, Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification, valuation, tariffs, and customs programs, built from the ground-up at the largest biodiesel producer in the United States during the first wave of “America First” Tariffs in 2018 and 2019.

Orrie’s two years of experience working at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and experience counseling Independent Power Producers (IPPs), Investor-Owned Utilities, Municipal Utilities, Transmission Owners, and Clean Energy/Public Interest Intervenors at Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) (MISO, SPP), FERC, and state utility commissions allow Orrie to take a wholistic approach when advising clients on energy issues.  Clients appreciate Orrie’s subject-matter expertise in renewables and clean energy technologies from his time as the General Counsel at RENEW Wisconsin, where he focused on resource interconnection, Solar, Wind, Demand Response, and Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging.

As a past compliance and operations professional at various sustainable fuels and chemical processing facilities, including a Methane Digestor, and Biodiesel, Glycerin, and Edible Seed Oil refineries, Orrie brings real-world technical and business advice to his legal counsel for clients producing sustainable fuels like Ethanol and Renewable Natural Gas (RNG).  

Experience

Orrie has over seven years of experience in the energy industry. Prior to joining Michael Best, Orrie served as the General Counsel at RENEW Wisconsin where he supported clean energy infrastructure development. Earlier, Orrie was an attorney advisor to four administrative law judges at FERC in Washington, D.C. At FERC, Orrie focused on FERC procedures, electric, gas, and oil regulatory issues, and rate design. His work included authoring orders, supporting initial decisions on regulatory issues, and managing hearings and settlements.

Orrie maintains an active record of community engagement. In his first year of Law School, he successfully appealed an illegal government determination withholding benefits from a client during the COVID-19 pandemic to the Labor and Industry Review Commission of Wisconsin and has championed the legal rights of the underrepresented ever since. He helped found the University of Wisconsin’s Eviction Defense Clinic, and successfully represented numerous clients in employment and housing matters at the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals and state circuit court.

Honors & Recognitions

  • Quality of Service Award, FERC Office of Administrative Law Judges (2022, 2023)
  • Pro Bono Society, Award of Distinction, Tier 1
  • Flag Bearer, University of Wisconsin Law School Class of 2021

Professional Activities

  • Board Member, Public Utilities Section, Wisconsin State Bar
  • Board Member, Wisconsin Public Utilities Institute
  • Board Officer, Electricity Steering Committee, Energy Bar Association
  • Member, American Bar Association

Education

Bar Admission

Community Involvement

  • Wisconsin High School Mock Trial Judge

Insights

Education

Bar Admission

Community Involvement

  • Wisconsin High School Mock Trial Judge
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