J.D. 1982

YALE LAW SCHOOL

New Haven, CT

• John Currier Gallagher Prize Trial, Thomas Swan Barristers' Union

B.A. 1979

magna cum
laude

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Cambridge, MA

• Albert M. Fulton Prize (best senior honors thesis).
• John Harvard Scholarship (for academic achievement of the highest distinction).
• State Finalist ( Pennsylvania), Rhodes Scholarship competition, 1978-79.

Apr. 2000 - present

CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR CORPORATION

Folsom, CA

Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

• Corporate Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of federally-regulated wholesale electric utility company operating most of California’s high voltage transmission grid; executive management team member and key advisor to Board and CEO; general manager of the Legal & Regulatory and Corporate Secretary Departments.
• Routinely deliver legal and strategic advice to CEO, Board Chairman, and other members regarding corporate and governance issues—such as fiduciary duties, delegation of authority, conflict of interest, open meetings, Board member selection, Board and executive compensation—and business and policy issues pending Board decision—such as enforcement of market rules.
• Organize and support 8-11 regularly scheduled, and 3-4 specially set, meetings of the full Board each year; similar support provided for six Board committees meeting on approximately same schedule as full Board; routinely review agendas/proposed resolutions with Board Chair and Committee chairs.
• Reduced outside legal counsel costs 29% through restructured fee arrangements and expansion of in-house capabilities.
• Obtained federal court injunction ordering energy suppliers to continue supplying California during 2000-2001 electricity crisis.
• Established basis for recovery of $3.6B in electricity overcharges.
• Successfully appealed order rejecting state-mandated Board structure; ultimately settled longstanding state/federal dispute concerning ISO governance.
• Established Code of Conduct for electricity market participants.
• Appeared at a dozen hearings before state legislature.
• Company spokesperson in several dozen television and radio interviews, including live syndicated legal issues television program Burden of Proof.
• Coordinated response to several legislative investigations/grand jury inquiries.

Acting Chief Administrative Officer (Jun. 2004 – Mar. 2005)

• Pending conclusion of search for new CEO, assumed primary responsibility for all corporate administrative functions--including Finance, Human Resources, Corporate Communications, Security, Facilities, Strategic Planning and Regulatory Policy—in addition to responsibilities for Legal & Regulatory, Compliance, Market Analysis, Governmental Affairs and Corporate Secretary.

Feb. 1999 – Mar. 2000

PACKARD BELL NEC

Sacramento, CA

Assistant General Counsel, Director of Litigation

• Chief legal manager of the Company's litigation portfolio and of all pre-litigation claims, disputes and investigations.
• Retained and oversaw outside counsel, developed case/business objectives, consulted on strategy, established and maintained budgets, counseled senior management.
• Supported the Company's Real Estate Group and maintained the Company's foreign and domestic corporate registrations.
  

Jul. 1995 – Feb. 1999

RAYCHEM CORPORATION

Menlo Park, CA

Division Counsel

• Counsel for the telecommunications, active network electronics, and energy groups and for the Latin America and Asia regions.
• Delivered general legal counsel and training, negotiation and documentation of business alliances and commercial transactions, and litigation management.
• Significant work in the areas of antitrust, securities and export control compliance; sales channel management; licensing; intellectual property and products liability litigation.
  

Nov. 1983 – Jun. 1995

HELLER EHRMAN WHITE & McAULIFFE

San Francisco, CA

Partner (Jan. 1989 – Jun. 1995)
Associate (Oct. 1983 – Dec. 1988)

• General commercial litigation practice focusing in the areas of securities, antitrust, insurance coverage, environmental, copyright, immigration and civil rights law, and consumer class actions.

Aug. 1982 – Aug. 1983

THE HON. WILLIAM H. ORRICK

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

San Francisco, CA

Law Clerk

• Conducted legal research, drafted bench memoranda and proposed orders and opinions.

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
United States District Courts, Northern and Eastern Districts
State Bar of California

2006 – present

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CORPORATE DIRECTORS

2005 – present

ENERGY BAR ASSOCIATION

1995 – present

AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (Litigation and Energy Sections)

1989 – 1999

NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE FUND, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STEERING COMMITTEE

1994 – 1997

LEGAL SERVICES TRUST FUND (IOLTA) COMMISSION (Board Member, Vice Chairman)

1990 – 1995

PUBLIC INTEREST CLEARINGHOUSE (Board Member; Treasurer; President)

1989 – 1995

BAR ASSOCIATION OF SAN FRANCISCO (Co-Chairman, Committee on Minority Employment)

1987 – 1990

LA RAZA CENTRO LEGAL (Board Member, Treasurer)

1985 – 1988

CALIFORNIA BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION (Board Member)

May 1994

Recipient of NAACP Legal Defense Fund award for outstanding commitment and dedication to civil rights and community service

Born 1957 in Philadelphia, PA
Married, one child
Interests are running, photography, music, travel, architecture/design
Sacramento area interviewer for Harvard College