Former FERC General Counsel Brings Deep Regulatory, Policy, and Litigation Experience to the Firm
Christiansen Served for Four Years Under FERC Chairmen Glick and Phillips, Demonstrating Trusted Leadership
Contact:
Kimberly Brooks
212-453-2881
kbrooks@wsgr.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 28, 2025)—Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, announced today that Matthew Christiansen has joined the firm as a partner in its energy and climate solutions (ECS) practice. Based in Washington, D.C., he brings extensive experience in energy law, regulatory policy, and litigation—further strengthening the firm’s ability to represent clients engaged in the development, financing, and operation of energy infrastructure throughout the country.
Prior to joining Wilson Sonsini, Christiansen served as general counsel of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) from February 2021 to January 2025, advising under Chairmen Richard Glick and Willie Phillips on key legal and policy issues shaping the nation’s energy infrastructure. During his tenure, he was deeply involved in hundreds of FERC proceedings, including landmark rulemakings to reform the legal framework for electric transmission development and interconnecting electric generation resources to the power grid. He oversaw a team of more than 200 attorneys responsible for a wide range of adjudicatory and rulemaking proceedings and provided commissioners and staff with strategic legal guidance across all aspects of FERC’s jurisdiction, including the commission’s significant litigation portfolio in federal courts.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Matt to our team,” said Doug Clark, managing partner at Wilson Sonsini. “As one of the nation’s foremost authorities on energy regulation, Matt was integral to nearly every major initiative during his tenure at FERC, driving key efforts to advance the nation’s clean energy goals. His in-depth knowledge of the agency’s operations and strategic priorities, along with his hands-on experience at the highest levels of federal energy regulation, will be a tremendous asset to our clients. Matt’s guidance will be invaluable in handling FERC proceedings, evolving policy developments, and circuit court appeals.”
Before he was appointed general counsel, Christiansen served as legal advisor to then-Commissioner Glick, advising on a broad range of regulatory and litigation matters. He originally joined Glick’s office in 2017 from FERC’s Office of the General Counsel. Earlier in his career, Christiansen clerked for the Honorable Stephen F. Williams of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the Honorable Jesse M. Furman of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
“It’s rare for a general counsel to serve under multiple FERC chairs, which speaks volumes about Matt’s substance and integrity,” said Peter Mostow, partner and leader of Wilson Sonsini's ECS practice. “At FERC, Matt tackled critical issues like grid reliability, market reforms, transmission policy, natural gas infrastructure, and emerging technologies—while also forming strong relationships with independent power producers, transmission companies, and clean energy trade groups. We’re glad he chose to bring his experience, intelligence, and connections to the firm to help our forward-looking clients develop, finance, and build critical energy infrastructure.”
In addition to his public service and policy work, Christiansen is an accomplished scholar, with academic work published in the Harvard Law Review, the Texas Law Review, and the Energy Law Journal.
Christiansen earned his J.D. from Yale Law School and holds a B.A. from Columbia University.
“I could not be more excited to join Wilson Sonsini’s unique energy practice, and help clients develop, finance, and operate the infrastructure needed to navigate the energy transition in a way that maintains the reliability and affordability of our nation’s energy mix,” said Christiansen. “The firm’s entrepreneurial spirit and collaborative culture make it the ideal platform for building out a dynamic energy regulatory practice that will provide best-in-class counsel to companies navigating today’s complex energy regulatory challenges.”
About Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
For more than 60 years, Wilson Sonsini’s services and legal disciplines have focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the management and boards of directors of business enterprises. The firm is nationally recognized as a leading provider to growing and established clients seeking legal counsel to complete sophisticated corporate and technology transactions; manage governance and enterprise-scale matters; assist with intellectual property development, protection, and IP-driven transactions; represent them in contested disputes; and/or advise them on antitrust, trade, and energy regulatory matters. With deep roots in Silicon Valley, Wilson Sonsini has more than 1,000 attorneys and 17 offices in 16 technology, business, and regulatory markets across the United States, Asia, and Europe. For more information, please visit www.wsgr.com.