Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP is pleased to announce the launch of its Nevada energy and regulatory practice headed by Partners Debrea Terwilliger and Jordan Pinjuv. Debrea and Jordan bring an unrivaled combination of experience and knowledge to Nevada’s energy and utility landscape with both previously having worked for the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN). Their experience represents a unique blend of knowing and understanding Nevada’s regulatory and legislative environment, the broader Western energy framework, and the regional and federal policies that will impact the Western energy space.

Both Debrea and Jordan have over fifteen years of experience representing clients before the PUCN and other state utility commissions, having actively litigated regulatory proceedings involving utility rate cases, electric resource plans, broadband funding applications, and infrastructure permitting. Additionally, both have represented clients in the Nevada courts, arguing and winning cases on critical administrative law matters.

Jordan joined WBK in May 2022, having recently served as Senior Counsel at the California electric grid operator (CAISO). He brings a depth of knowledge about western energy markets in addition to his regulatory litigation experience. “Together, Debrea and I bring a unique skill set to the Nevada bar.  Few know the PUCN regulatory and legislative processes and people as well as we do; combine that knowledge with our experience in the hearing room, our insight into Western energy markets, and I think we’re a tough team to beat.”

Debrea rejoined WBK in June 2021 after serving as Assistant General and Staff Counsel for the PUCN.  “We will be one of the few law firms in Nevada to offer clients a bench of regulatory attorneys that not only understand Nevada fully, but also offer a broader regional and federal perspective.”

More on Debrea M. Terwilliger

In Debrea’s role as Assistant General Counsel at the PUCN, she defended the Commission in various Nevada courts, including the Nevada Supreme Court, on critical administrative law matters. Debrea also worked on behalf of the PUCN at the Nevada Legislature on key energy and communications legislation.

Before the PUCN, Debrea was a Partner in WBK’s Denver office where she represented investor-owned utilities in New Mexico and Colorado, as well as independent power producers. Debrea also has represented a variety of telecommunications clients. Debrea currently serves as the Secretary of the Energy, Utilities and Communications Law Section of the Nevada Bar.

More on Jordan Pinjuv

Jordan Pinjuv joined WBK as a Partner in May 2022. He joined from his prior role as Senior Counsel for the CAISO, where he represented the company in a variety of state and federal regulatory proceedings in addition to advising clients on CAISO stakeholder initiatives.

During his eight-year tenure, Jordan served as the primary attorney representing the CAISO before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and other state agencies. In this capacity, he litigated key cases regarding resource adequacy, integrated resource planning, and transmission infrastructure permitting. Jordan also represented the CAISO at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on a variety of issues, including transmission planning, market design, and rate cases. Jordan served as the primary attorney advising the CAISO’s infrastructure development group on transmission planning, competitive solicitation, and contracting. Prior to joining the CAISO, Jordan represented the PUCN as Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Staff Counsel.