Monique Watson
2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 500 West
Washington, D.C. 20037
Monique Watson’s knowledge of FERC is amazing, and her instincts are spot-on. The contributions she brings to natural gas engagements provide value to the client far beyond the immediate issue. [Chambers USA 2023 Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation)] Monique advises energy clients in achieving their business objectives while navigating applicable legal and regulatory requirements. She draws on her more than two decades of energy experience in private practice, as in-house counsel, and in senior legal roles at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). She has managed legal and policy initiatives involving natural gas, crude oil, and refined petroleum products pipelines. She also has served as first chair in complex cost-of-service litigation for natural gas and oil pipelines. She is recognized for her deep knowledge and understanding of energy law, policy, economics, and regulation, with particular focus on oil and natural gas pipeline matters. She has also assisted clients in compliance matters, including FERC enforcement actions.
Monique was recognized in Forbes’ Top 200 Lawyers in America in 2024.
Experience Highlights
Represented an interstate pipeline company in the preparation and prosecution of a general Section 4 rate case before the FERC
Represented a company in preparing and filing a petition for declaratory order asking FERC to disclaim jurisdiction over a containerized liquefied natural gas export facility, which was granted
Represented the largest pipeline system for refined oil products in the U.S. in litigation challenging its market-based and indexed rates before FERC involving 18 shippers
Drafted multiple Petitions for Declaratory Orders for oil pipelines related to FERC-regulated transportation service agreements and tariffs
Participated in the preparation, filing, and prosecution of certificate applications at FERC involving major interstate natural gas companies located in the United States
Represented a major natural gas pipeline company in a rate case proceeding
Represented a major natural gas pipeline – winning dismissal on jurisdictional grounds – addressing a complaint alleging unpaid reservation charges during the February 2021 Texas cold weather event
Obtained an order from FERC declaring that it lacks jurisdiction over a small-scale liquified natural gas facility that would export LNG in containers via ocean-going cargo vessels
Assisted multiple pipelines in developing open seasons for FERC-regulated transportation service
Advised clients regarding jurisdictional analysis of pipelines, including Section 311 regulations and Hinshaw regulations
Advised natural gas pipelines on shipper disputes and response to complaints filed at FERC
Created and implemented regulatory compliance initiatives for major United States natural gas pipeline and marketer, along with the drafting and implementation of internal compliance manual for major United States natural gas pipeline and marketer
Credentials
- Howard University School of Law, J.D. cum laude
- University of Virginia, B.A.
- Acting Director, Office of Energy Market Regulation, Division of Pipeline Regulation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (2016–2017)
- Deputy Director, Office of Energy Market Regulation, Division of Pipeline Regulation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (2012–2017)
- Attorney Adviser/Acting Manager, Division of Pipeline Regulation, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (2011–2012)
- Legal Adviser to then-FERC Commissioner Marc Spitzer, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (2006–2011)
- Appellate Attorney, Office of the Solicitor, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (1998–2001, 2006)
- Chambers USA, Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation)(Nationwide), 2023–2025
- Legal 500 U.S., Energy Regulation: Oil & Gas, 2024 and 2025; “Next Generation Partner” in Energy Regulation: Oil & Gas, 2025
- The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings, LLC), Energy Law (Washington), 2025 and 2026
- Chambers Global, Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation) (USA), 2024 and 2025
- Selected to the Top 200 Lawyers in America, Forbes, 2024
- Selected to the 500 Leading Energy Lawyers, Lawdragon, 2024 and 2025
- Secretary for the National Energy Bar Association
- Fellow: Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (2021)
- Board Member: Energy Bar Association (2020–present)
- Vice Chair, Member: Natural Gas: Gas, Oil & Liquids Steering Committee, Energy Bar Association (2010–present)
- Member: American Association of Blacks in Energy
- Council Member, Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section, American Bar Association
- District of Columbia
- English
- Rankings & AwardsAugust 21, 2025
- Rankings & AwardsJune 11, 2025
- Rankings & AwardsJune 5, 2025
- Press ReleaseMay 14, 2025
- InsightApril 11, 2025
V&E Energy Update
- InsightApril 11, 2025
V&E Energy Update
- Rankings & AwardsFebruary 25, 2025
- Rankings & AwardsFebruary 13, 2025
- InsightJanuary 29, 2025
V&E Energy Update
- Event RecapNovember 14, 2024
- InsightOctober 18, 2024
V&E Energy Update
- Rankings & AwardsJune 12, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsJune 6, 2024
- Rankings & AwardsFebruary 15, 2024
- InsightNovember 1, 2023
V&E Energy Update
- InsightOctober 27, 2023
V&E Energy Update
- InsightOctober 10, 2023
V&E Energy Update
- Lexology, Panoramic – Gas Regulation, 2025 (contributor)
- “Watson: Implications of LNG Pause,” Hart Energy, March 7, 2024 (author)
- “Appalachian Trail Ruling May Speed Other Pipeline Cases,” Law360, June 24, 2020 (author)
- “FERC Aims for a Better Tribal Consultation Process,” Law360, November 6, 2019 (author)
- “New Executive Orders Aim to Reduce Federal and State Permitting Obstacles for Pipeline and Energy Projects,” Energy Law Report, July 10, 2019 (author)
- “Is A FERC Pipeline Policy Reset Coming?,” Law360, April 30, 2018 (author)
- “Understanding FERC’s Natural Gas Certificate Policy Review,” Law360, February 6, 2018 (author)