Former NRC General Counsel Joins Morgan Lewis
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date:
01/11/2010 -
news source:
Press Releases
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WASHINGTON, D.C, January 11, 2010: Morgan Lewis today announced that Karen D. Cyr, the longest-serving general counsel in the history of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, has joined the Energy Practice at Morgan Lewis as a senior counsel. An attorney at the NRC for three decades, Ms. Cyr was the top lawyer at the Commission from 1994 until her retirement in 2009. In that role, she advised the Commission on all matters of law and legal policy, and she represented the commission before other government agencies, Congress, and foreign governments.
"Karen will assist our already market-leading nuclear practice in advising clients on Commissioner-level issues, and in its growing international practice," said Jay M. Gutierrez, Leader of the Energy Practice at Morgan Lewis. "She will bring invaluable and unique insights to the group for the benefit of our clients. We are fortunate and excited that she has joined our ranks."
Under Ms. Cyr's management, more than 100 attorneys and staff provided crucial legal support to the NRC, leading to approval of the first standardized reactor design, as well as adoption of the Commission's first comprehensive decommissioning and decontamination criteria. Their work included a near-total revision of the Agency's Rules of Practice for licensing and enforcement reviews.
"Morgan Lewis—whose energy practice is among the best-regarded in the industry—presented an ideal opportunity to remain engaged with the renewed interest in nuclear power," noted Ms. Cyr. "As the world continues to seek the best ways to meet rising energy demands, I look forward to applying the perspective offered by my years of public service to the challenges faced by the private sector."
Prior to becoming general counsel, Ms. Cyr served as legal adviser to the NRC's chief operating officer, the Commissioners and to the Commission's Chairman. While general counsel, she served as a member of the Group of Experts, which developed the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management. She is internationally recognized as an authority on nuclear regulation, who has presented seminars before the International Nuclear Law Association and the International Bar Association. Ms. Cyr also received the Presidential Distinguished and Meritorious Rank Awards and the NRC Distinguished Service Award.