Jack N. Semrani

Business and Finance, Energy and Project Finance, International

Jack N. Semrani is an associate in the Business and Finance Department and a member of the Energy and Project Finance and International Groups. Mr. Semrani advises and represents grid operators, trade associations, industrial consumers, and other entities regarding various regulatory issues, including rate cases, tariff rules and procedures, regulatory compliance, regulatory investigations, FERC enforcement procedures, ISO/RTO proceedings, interconnection agreements, market structures, carbon regulation, and energy transactions. He also assists companies with various electricity and natural gas actions before regulatory agencies as well as with court actions and litigation. In addition, Mr. Semrani has represented and advised clients regarding Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States proceedings.

Representative Matters

• Represented trade associations and industrial consumers in rate cases including pipeline rate investigations (settlement negotiations, hearings, and testimony)
• Assisted trade associations in drafting comments on FERC reporting requirements
• Represented trade associations in dispute with pipeline over contractual language
• Assisted power generator in drafting NAESB gas contract
• Assisted natural gas trading company with developing compliance training materials
• Advised power plant lenders regarding the impact of carbon regulation on power plant viability and carbon cost pass-through
• Assisted grid operator with developing compliance program and monitoring compliance with governing documents
• Performed due diligence on power plant finance and transfer transaction
• Assisted renewable energy and energy efficiency companies in applying for government incentives
• Assisted trade association in drafting comments on CFTC position limits in energy markets
• Successfully represented M&A clients before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States

Before joining the firm, Mr. Semrani worked on real estate closings and title issues for six years at a Washington, D.C., real estate law firm.

Recognition & Accomplishments

Recipient, Ballard Spahr's 2011 Alan J. Davis Award for pro bono, given to a member of the firm who demonstrates exemplary legal representation in a matter involving the public good, for his work as part of the Ballard Spahr Asylum Initiative

Publications

Co-author, "U.S. International Trade Commission Unanimously Votes To Continue China Solar PV Trade Cases," Ballard Spahr Energy and Project Finance Alert, December 2, 2011

Co-author, "Opportunities and Challenges in the 1,500 MW Maryland RFP," Ballard Spahr Energy and Project Finance Alert, November 11, 2011

Co-author, "Membership Organization Standing In FERC Proceedings," Energy Law360, June 16, 2011

Co-author, "FERC's Surprise Move: Investigations Into Three Natural Gas Companies," Ballard Spahr Energy and Project Finance Alert, November 24, 2009

Co-author, "DOE Issues Funding Opportunity Announcements for Smart Grid Investment Grants and Smart Grid Demonstrations," Ballard Spahr Energy and Project Finance Alert, July 1, 2009

Co-author, "The Supreme Court Leaves the Door Open for Creative Challenges to the Sanctity of Power Contracts," Ballard Spahr Energy and Project Finance Alert, July 8, 2008

Co-author, "Certiorari Granted in Public Utility District No. 1 of Snohomish County v. FERC: Is 'Doomsday' on the Horizon?" Ballard Spahr Energy and Project Finance Alert, December 18, 2007

Co-author, "The Fight Over Mobile-Sierra and the Sanctity of Contracts: Petitions for a Writ of Certiorari Filed in Public Utility District No. 1 of Snohomish County v. FERC," Ballard Spahr Energy and Project Finance Alert, July 9, 2007

Speaking Engagements

"Keys to an Effective FERC Compliance Program," Ballard Spahr webinar, May 3, 2011

"FERC Update: Form 552 and Pending Sec. 5 Cases," Ballard Spahr and PGC webinar, April 15, 2010

"A Primer on FERC Compliance," Ballard Spahr and PGC webinar, October 8, 2009

The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law (J.D. 2005, magna cum laude)
Recipient, Certificate of the Comparative and International Law Institute; Recipient, Merit Award and Dean's Award; Staff, The Contemporary Journal of Health Law and Policy; Inn President, Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity

Lebanese University (LL.B 1996)

Languages

French and Arabic (native speaker)

District of Columbia

U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

U.S. Supreme Court