Areas of practice
Natural Gas Regulation
Energy Transactions

Education
Wayne State University School of Law, J.D., 1980

Michigan State University B.A., B.S., with high honors, 1976

Bar Membership
District of Columbia
Michigan

Professional Affiliations
Energy Bar Association

James H. Byrd

Mr. Byrd is a Principal in the law firm of Miller, Balis & O’Neil, P.C. He specializes in counseling and representing public gas systems in regulatory and transitional matters but also represents rural electric cooperatives and consumer advocates in a variety of electricity and gas transactions and proceedings.

Prior to joining the firm in 1987, Mr. Byrd served as Senior Attorney in the General Counsel's Office of the Edison Electric Institute. While there, he practiced primarily in the regulatory and legislative fields.

After graduating from law school, Mr. Byrd served a judicial clerkship with the Circuit Court for the Third Judicial Circuit in Michigan.

Mr. Byrd was recognized as one of Public Utilities Fortnightly’s Top Utility Lawyers of 2011 and was included in the Baltimore & Washington DC’s Best Lawyers (2012 ed.).

Mr. Byrd is a native of Michigan and currently resides with his wife in Washington, D.C.

Natural Gas Regulation
Mr. Byrd currently represents publicly owned gas systems and power generators served by more than a dozen pipelines located across the country in proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and appellate courts. Mr. Byrd also has represented consumer advocates in a variety of regulatory proceedings involving retail gas and electricity suppliers.

Energy Transactions
Mr. Byrd represents public gas systems in the acquisition of gas supply, asset management and transportation services and in contractual matters involving service to end users. He also negotiates gas supply, storage, and transportation arrangements for electric power generators.