Energy Regulatory Lawyer C.J. Polito Joins Vinson & Elkins’ D.C. Office

Vinson & Elkins announced today that C.J. Polito has joined the firm as a Washington, D.C.-based partner in the firm’s Energy Regulatory Practice.

Polito has extensive experience in regulatory proceedings and investigations before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, North American Electric Reliability Corporation, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and state energy regulatory agencies. He regularly advises clients on physical and financial wholesale power transactions, mergers and asset acquisition approvals, regional energy market rules and tariff requirements, power purchase and sale agreements, and issues related to the design and operation of wholesale energy and capacity markets. He also counsels clients on regulatory requirements under the Federal Power Act, the Natural Gas Act, the Public Utility Holding Company Act, and the creation and implementation of robust compliance programs.

“C.J.’s longstanding focus on federal regulations governing electricity will strengthen our Energy Regulatory Practice’s already impressive credentials and experience with all things electric,” said Vinson & Elkins Chair Keith Fullenweider. “His addition comes at a time of growth for the practice, amid a heightened regulatory focus, increased investments in traditional and emerging energy sources, and mounting power demands driven by data center developments.”

“Vinson & Elkins has full-service, market-leading practices across the energy space, including regulatory, litigation and transactional practices,” Polito said. “In particular, I was drawn to the firm’s deep experience in the electric power industry and focus on energy regulatory work before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. I look forward to expanding those capabilities.”

Polito joins from Sidley Austin, where he was an Energy Regulatory partner. He is recognized in the area of Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation) (Nationwide) by Chambers USA (2021–2025) and Chambers Global (USA) (2022–2025). Polito received a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctor from Duke University, where he was an editor of the Duke Law Journal.

Vinson & Elkins has extensive experience in the regulatory aspects of electric power generation and transmission, with a deep bench of lawyers who are routinely called on to spearhead complex, multi-billion-dollar projects in markets across the nation. The team regularly represents transmission and distribution utilities, merchant transmission companies, electric generating companies, alternative energy companies, independent power producers, and private equity and venture capital investors. Vinson & Elkins is recognized as one of the industry’s best firms by Chambers USA in Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation) (Nationwide) (2023–2025).