Jenner & Block Expands Energy Regulatory, Litigation Capabilities with Arrival of Enforcement Trailblazer John Estes
News
October 5, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC, October 5, 2022: John N. Estes III, a leading energy regulatory advisor and litigator, joins Jenner & Block today as a partner in the firm’s Energy Practice. Mr. Estes brings more than 30 years of industry experience to the practice’s stand-out regulatory, litigation, and appellate capabilities.
Following five years of service at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Mr. Estes joined Skadden Arps and launched their Energy Regulatory and Enforcement Practice. While there, he established a reputation as the nation’s leading lawyer for FERC cases. As noted by Chambers Global, Mr. Estes “is the number one choice for high-stakes enforcement work [and] has his finger on the pulse of FERC politics.” He is the only US-based lawyer ranked as a “Star Individual” in the guide’s top tier category for Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation).
“John played a leading role in the most significant, billion dollar FERC trials of the past 30 years, including trailblazing cases involving electricity and gas markets,” said Katya Jestin and Randy Mehrberg, Jenner & Block’s co-managing partners. “His experience and in-depth knowledge of organized power markets complements our existing team and will be an asset for clients as we enter the next era of energy regulation.”
Mr. Estes is a recognized authority on enforcement cases involving electric and natural gas market manipulation allegations as well as market design and manipulation issues. Since the beginning of regulated, bid-based markets, he has honed a skillset and relationships that benefit traditional utilities, new entrants to the energy industry, energy traders, and private equity funds. He represents industry leading companies in the administrative trial space and in enforcement matters. Mr. Estes’ litigation experience includes 30 cases before the US Courts of Appeals
“The energy industry is evolving rapidly and recent legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, has launched unprecedented investment in infrastructure and climate change measures,” said Suedeen G. Kelly, a former FERC commissioner and co-chair of the firm’s Energy Practice. “John is a FERC legend and brilliant advisor. We are excited to join forces with him to help clients across industries navigate cutting-edge energy regulatory issues.”
Mr. Estes will play a key role in advising on complex regulatory systems and joins a talented team already established at Jenner & Block, including Energy co-chairs Mr. Mehrberg,Matthew E. Price, Ms. Kelly, and Thomas S. O’Neill, and Partners David W. DeBruin, Zachary C. Schauf, and former Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Commerce Commission John E. Rooney.
“Jenner & Block is building the nation’s premier energy regulatory, litigation, and appellate practice,” said Mr. Estes. “I am excited to join a collaborative, cross-practice team of talented energy strategists, appellate experts, and former Supreme Court clerks. We are uniquely positioned to guide companies through the most critical energy and climate matters in the coming years.”
Mr. Estes joins Jenner & Block during a time of growth as the firm meets the increased demand from clients across industries seeking strategic counsel on climate solutions and ESG. His arrival follows the hiring of Duke University’s former head of biogas strategy Tatjana “Tanja” Vujic and the launch of the firm’s Transitions in Energy and Climate Solutions (TECS) Practice. The cross-discipline TECS law practice, led by Ms. Kelly, Ms. Vujic, and Mr. O’Neill, former Exelon Corporate General Counsel, operates at the intersection of new market mechanisms, emerging technologies, financial services, and rapidly evolving regulations, policy, and legislation.
Mr. Estes earned his BA from Tulane University and his JD from Louisiana State University. He joined FERC’s Project Office upon graduation and later served in the Solicitor’s Office.
Mr. Estes will be based in Jenner & Block’s Washington, DC, office.
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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News
October 5, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC, October 5, 2022: John N. Estes III, a leading energy regulatory advisor and litigator, joins Jenner & Block today as a partner in the firm’s Energy Practice. Mr. Estes brings more than 30 years of industry experience to the practice’s stand-out regulatory, litigation, and appellate capabilities.
Following five years of service at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Mr. Estes joined Skadden Arps and launched their Energy Regulatory and Enforcement Practice. While there, he established a reputation as the nation’s leading lawyer for FERC cases. As noted by Chambers Global, Mr. Estes “is the number one choice for high-stakes enforcement work [and] has his finger on the pulse of FERC politics.” He is the only US-based lawyer ranked as a “Star Individual” in the guide’s top tier category for Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation).
“John played a leading role in the most significant, billion dollar FERC trials of the past 30 years, including trailblazing cases involving electricity and gas markets,” said Katya Jestin and Randy Mehrberg, Jenner & Block’s co-managing partners. “His experience and in-depth knowledge of organized power markets complements our existing team and will be an asset for clients as we enter the next era of energy regulation.”
Mr. Estes is a recognized authority on enforcement cases involving electric and natural gas market manipulation allegations as well as market design and manipulation issues. Since the beginning of regulated, bid-based markets, he has honed a skillset and relationships that benefit traditional utilities, new entrants to the energy industry, energy traders, and private equity funds. He represents industry leading companies in the administrative trial space and in enforcement matters. Mr. Estes’ litigation experience includes 30 cases before the US Courts of Appeals
“The energy industry is evolving rapidly and recent legislation, including the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, has launched unprecedented investment in infrastructure and climate change measures,” said Suedeen G. Kelly, a former FERC commissioner and co-chair of the firm’s Energy Practice. “John is a FERC legend and brilliant advisor. We are excited to join forces with him to help clients across industries navigate cutting-edge energy regulatory issues.”
Mr. Estes will play a key role in advising on complex regulatory systems and joins a talented team already established at Jenner & Block, including Energy co-chairs Mr. Mehrberg,Matthew E. Price, Ms. Kelly, and Thomas S. O’Neill, and Partners David W. DeBruin, Zachary C. Schauf, and former Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Illinois Commerce Commission John E. Rooney.
“Jenner & Block is building the nation’s premier energy regulatory, litigation, and appellate practice,” said Mr. Estes. “I am excited to join a collaborative, cross-practice team of talented energy strategists, appellate experts, and former Supreme Court clerks. We are uniquely positioned to guide companies through the most critical energy and climate matters in the coming years.”
Mr. Estes joins Jenner & Block during a time of growth as the firm meets the increased demand from clients across industries seeking strategic counsel on climate solutions and ESG. His arrival follows the hiring of Duke University’s former head of biogas strategy Tatjana “Tanja” Vujic and the launch of the firm’s Transitions in Energy and Climate Solutions (TECS) Practice. The cross-discipline TECS law practice, led by Ms. Kelly, Ms. Vujic, and Mr. O’Neill, former Exelon Corporate General Counsel, operates at the intersection of new market mechanisms, emerging technologies, financial services, and rapidly evolving regulations, policy, and legislation.
Mr. Estes earned his BA from Tulane University and his JD from Louisiana State University. He joined FERC’s Project Office upon graduation and later served in the Solicitor’s Office.
Mr. Estes will be based in Jenner & Block’s Washington, DC, office.
Related Lawyers
Related Capabilities
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
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