Lawrence J. Chandler

Senior Counsel

Lawrence J. Chandler is senior counsel in Morgan Lewis’s Energy Practice. Mr. Chandler’s practice focuses on representing clients before the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on all aspects of nuclear reactor and materials licensing and regulation pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended; the Energy Reorganization Act; the National Environmental Policy Act and other environmental statutes; the Energy Policy Acts of 1992 and 2005; and the Nuclear Waste Policy Act.

Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Mr. Chandler had been, since 1998, the Associate General Counsel for Hearings, Enforcement, and Administration at the NRC. Before that, he had served, since 1972, in various senior executive and staff positions in the NRC’s Office of the General Counsel and Office of the Executive Legal Director, as well as in the Office of the General Counsel of the NRC’s predecessor, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Over his 35 years of service at the NRC and AEC, Mr. Chandler was responsible for providing legal advice and representation on all aspects of nuclear reactor licensing and regulation regarding the current fleet of operating reactors as well as with respect to new reactors, including license renewal, license transfers, and other licensing actions (under the provisions of 10 CFR Part 50), and early site permits, combined licenses, and standardized design certifications (under 10 CFR Part 52). He also was responsible for legal advice and representation in NRC proceedings concerning the licensing of byproduct, source, and special nuclear materials, including fuel cycle and enrichment facilities, the licensing of spent fuel storage facilities (including away-from-reactor facilities), and the disposal of high-level radioactive waste. In addition, Mr. Chandler provided advice regarding the NRC’s enforcement program, and representation in all enforcement matters related to reactor and materials licensees.

High-profile matters on which Mr. Chandler provided advice and representation while at the NRC and AEC included the licensing of Diablo Canyon, San Onofre, Comanche Peak, Limerick, Three Mile Island Unit 2 (including post-accident licensing and regulatory matters), the Private Fuels Storage away-from-reactor spent fuel storage facility, the LES and USEC uranium enrichment facilities, the issuance of Early Site Permits for Clinton, Grand Gulf, and North Anna, enforcement actions regarding Davis-Besse, Peach Bottom, Indian Point, Millstone, Pilgrim, Watts Bar, the suspension of the San Onofre Unit 1 operating license, the shutdown of the Shoreham and Rancho Seco facilities, the General Electric Test Reactor, and the imposition of security measures on reactor and materials licensees after 9/11.

From 1970 to 1972, Mr. Chandler was an attorney-advisor in the Office of the Hearing Examiners at the U.S. Maritime Administration.

Mr. Chandler received his J.D. from George Washington University National Law Center in 1969 and his B.A. from Boston University in 1966.

Mr. Chandler is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and before the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.