Since 2003, William (Bill) D. Kissinger has focused his practice on energy matters in California and nationally along with related environmental issues. He developed this practice after spending two years working as senior deputy legal affairs secretary to Gov. Gray Davis and serving as the primary legal contact for the Office of the Governor with Cal EPA, Cal Health and Human Services Agency, and the Resources Agency. Bill previously spent four years in Washington, DC working in senior positions at the White House and the US State Department.
Bill served as a member of the Governor’s Energy Task Force, responsible for shaping California’s strategy in responding to the 2001 electricity crisis. He was California’s lead negotiator in the effort to renegotiate the multibillion-dollar energy contracts the state entered into in early 2001. His efforts resulted in greatly improved contract terms with future savings to the state in excess of $5 billion over the life of the contracts. Bill was also a member of the California Electricity Oversight Board, after being appointed by Gov. Davis in 2002.
From 1997–2000, Bill served as special assistant to the legal adviser for the US Department of State in Washington, D.C. From 2000–2001, he served as senior adviser for international economic policy at the White House National Economic Council.
Bill’s practice includes energy and environmental matters. He represents conventional and renewable energy companies, storage project developers, municipalities, and publicly owned utilities. His energy practice includes representing parties in litigation arising out of the purchase and sale of electricity as well as providing advice on regulatory matters involving the California Independent System Operator, the California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Recognized by Chambers USA, Bill is described as “a wealth of knowledge and contacts” by his energy clients. Bill serves as a member of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board after being appointed by Gov. Brown in 2012 and reappointed in 2016.
Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Bill was a partner in the environmental practice of another international law firm.
Energy-Related Matters
Environmental Matters
Other Matters
Ranked, Energy: State Regulatory & Litigation, California, Chambers USA (2011–2018)
Lawyer of the Year, Energy Regulatory Law, San Francisco, The Best Lawyers in America (2012, 2017–2019)
Recognized, Energy Regulatory Law, San Francisco, The Best Lawyers in America (2015–2019)
Recognized, Energy Law, San Francisco, The Best Lawyers in America (2009–2019)
Member, Practice Group of the Year, Environmental, Law360 (2017)
Recommended, The Legal 500 US (2016)
Recognized, Northern California Super Lawyers (2005, 2011–2014)
Board Member, San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board (Governor Brown Appointment)
Board Member, GRID Alternatives
Board member, Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence
Member, The Conference of California Public Utility Counsel
Member, Energy Bar Association
Member, American Bar Association
Member, Pacific Council on International Policy
Member, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area
Board Member, China-US Energy Efficiency Alliance (past)
Recipient, Certificate of Excellence awarded by Attorney General Bill Lockyer (2003) for “extraordinary advocacy for California energy consumers”
Recipient, US Department of State Superior Honor Award (2000) for outstanding contribution to negotiations resolving claims of the People’s Republic of China against the United States arising out of the Chinese Embassy bombing in Belgrade, Yugoslavia
Recipient, 1996 “California Lawyer of the Year” based on advocacy in a pro bono action against the assault weapon manufacturer used in mass shooting in San Francisco high-rise building
Recipient, The Jack Berman Advocacy Center of the American Jewish Congress 1996 Community Service Award
Recipient, Margaret Sanger Community Sanger Service Award Planned Parenthood Association of San Mateo (1992); recognized for successful prosecution of claims for injunction relief against Operation Rescue on behalf of Planned Parenthood healthcare clinic
Notes and Comments Editor, Ecology Law Quarterly (past)
1/30/2018 - California Energy Legislation Roundup 2017
3/13/2017 - Going All the Way: California Bill Calls for 100% Renewable
3/1/2017 - 2016 California Energy and Climate Legislative Update
6/10/2016 - Germany’s Reform of the EEG Provides New Opportunities for Investors in Renewables
5/27/2016 - Emergency Energy Storage Solicitation
2/11/2016 - Supreme Court Stays Implementation of Controversial Clean Power Plan
1/13/2016 - Developments In Calif.'s Energy And Climate Law, Law360
4/26/2012 - California Public Utilities Commission Proposes RPS Procurement Overhaul
2/25/2019 - Infocast’s Storage Week 2019
4/19/2018 - Earth Day Celebration 2018
6/7/2017 - Doing Business in the Golden State – Energy and Environmental
4/18/2017 - Earth Day Celebration 2017
1/17/2017 - Infocast’s Projects & Money 2017
11/29/2016 - Energy Storage: FERC’s Technical Conference & NOPR
11/3/2016 - Law Seminars International’s Electric Power in California – Los Angeles
3/17/2016 - Renewable Energy and Storage Trends for 2016
9/28/2015 - China-U.S. Energy Efficiency Alliance Breakfast Briefing
7/31/2015 - Powering Through the Drought: What the Water Shortage Means for the Electricity Sector
Copyright © 2019 Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. All rights reserved.