PARTNER | matt@mrg-law.com | 503 290 3629

MATT MCVEE

Matt’s practice focuses on energy law, assisting clients in matters requiring strategic regulatory planning and representation. He advises and represents utilities and energy companies on a full range of regulatory and administrative law issues, including ratemaking, compliance, resource development and acquisition, and utility mergers and acquisitions. Matt has represented clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and regulatory commissions throughout the West, including Oregon, Washington, California, and Nevada. 

LEGAL EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining McDowell Rackner Gibson in 2025, Matt spent 25 years focusing on energy utility issues. He represented client interests before state regulatory commissions and the FERC in a broad range of matters, including rate case proceedings, policy and planning dockets, rulemakings, audits, and enforcement investigations. Following law school, Matt worked in private practice representing large electric consumers in Oregon and Washington before joining the State of Nevada Public Utilities Commission.  Matt served as the first general counsel for the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) and later joined Troutman Sanders as partner.  He also spent many years at PacifiCorp, where he represented company interests before FERC and state regulation commissions as chief regulatory counsel. Most recently, he was vice president of regulatory policy for PacifiCorp.

REPRESENTATIVE WORK

  • As chief regulatory counsel, represented PacifiCorp in regulatory matters before FERC and state regulatory commissions in OR, WA, and CA, and led multi-state negotiations on cost allocation proposals. 

  • As vice president, regulatory policy, acted as a company witness in regulatory proceedings, including rate cases, planning dockets, and policy issues and testified on electric utility policy before the Oregon legislature.

  • Represented regulated entities in compliance enforcement investigations and audits by FERC, WECC, and California Public Utilities Commission compliance.

  • Assisted in strategic planning for and securing regulatory approvals of utility acquisitions.

  • Represented clients in transmission and generation interconnection disputes.

  • As general counsel for WECC, negotiated agreements with Mexican Comisión Federal de Electricidad and Canadian crown corporations regarding funding, reliability coordination, and compliance monitoring.

  • Represented utilities in regional planning and market development negotiations.

  • Advised utility transmission and merchant function personnel on FERC transmission and market-based rate requirements.

  • Provided compliance training on FERC standards of conduct and tariff compliance.

  • Conducted confidential, internal compliance investigations.

  • As general counsel, represented WECC in all aspects of its business and regulatory matters, including corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and corporate risk management. 

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Member of the Oregon State Bar.

  • Member of the Nevada State Bar (Inactive).

EDUCATION

Matt graduated from Lewis & Clark College in Portland in 1991, with a bachelor's degree in biology, and received his Juris Doctor from Lewis & Clark Law School in 2002.