Jim Ellis has focused on state and federal regulatory law issues with an emphasis on advising utility companies and other regulated companies on regulatory, corporate, contract, and litigation matters.

Upon graduating from Tulane Law School, he worked in Washington, D.C., for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the General Services Administration and represented the executive agencies of the federal government and the Department of Defense in state and federal regulatory proceedings involving electric, gas, and telecommunications matters. In addition to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, he appeared in regulatory proceedings before one-fourth of the state public service commissions in the United States.

Since joining Taylor Porter in 1978, he has represented electric, water, and gas utility companies and energy companies before the Louisiana Public Service Commission and the courts. As part of that representation, he advises the boards and management of those companies on corporate, rate, contract, and litigation issues. Further, he has worked with regulated entities on franchise issues with public bodies and compliance with city and state regulatory codes. He has represented many national companies in utility, energy, cogeneration, pipeline, and other matters relating to financing, acquisitions, deal structuring, and other corporate and litigation issues.  He has been lead counsel and has litigated numerous cases at the trial and appellate levels and has won several notable cases involving regulatory law at the Louisiana Supreme Court.

In addition to his representation of private regulated entities, he also represents public bodies in court and regulatory proceedings, including towns, police juries, universities, and state agencies. He also advises boards and commissions on corporate governance and director’s and officer’s liability issues.

Mr. Ellis was General Counsel for the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (2005-2007) and served as Chairman of the Board of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber in 2008.  He was also selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in Energy Law for the last ten years. Mr. Ellis also serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Baton Rouge Airport Commission and is active in many civic and economic development organizations.

Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Rated