Barry Smitherman, former chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT), will join law firm Vinson & Elkins LLP as a partner in its energy regulatory practice, the firm said March 31. His appointment is effective April 1, the firm added.

Smitherman will be based in the Austin office, advising energy industry clients on state and federal regulatory matters, the Houston-based firm said. His experience includes electric transmission development, energy storage, renewable generation, hydraulic fracturing of natural gas and other issues.

Smitherman is the only person in Texas history to have served on both the RRC and PUCT. In July 2011, Gov. Rick Perry appointed him to the RRC for an unexpired term, and he was later elected statewide for a two-year term in November 2012.

Barry Smitherman Source: Vinson & Elkins LLP

“Our energy practice has been a core strength of the firm for decades, and Barry’s outstanding national reputation and experience in the energy industry will only enhance the firm’s deep bench,” said Mark Kelly, chairman, Vinson & Elkins. “Barry possesses a unique combination of public and private sector knowledge that will benefit our clients and numerous practices within our firm. We could not be more pleased to have him join V&E.”

Early in his tenure, colleagues selected Smitherman as RRC chairman overseeing the state’s oil, natural gas, coal mining, intrastate pipeline and local gas distribution industries. The agency executed several key initiatives, including developing rules requiring disclosure of chemical ingredients and water volumes used to hydraulically fracture wells in Texas.

In addition, Smitherman led the agency’s effort to overhaul well construction requirements for the first time in 30 years, Vinson & Elkins said. The requirements covered casing, cementing, drilling, well control and completions.

The RRC also created rules encouraging the recycling of hydraulic fracturing flowback fluids and adopted disposal well rule amendments to address operations in areas of historical or future seismic activity.

During his chairmanship, Smitherman also was chair of the gas committee on the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, from 2013 through 2014.

Prior to his service with the RRC, Smitherman was a member of the PUCT from April 2004 to July 2011, and was chairman of the agency for the last three-and-a-half years of his tenure.

At the PUCT, he headed the adoption and management of the 3,600-mile competitive renewable energy zone transmission line project.

While chairman, he was on the board of directors of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, was vice president of the Regional State Committee of the Southwest Power Pool, and served two terms on the U.S. Department of Energy Electricity Advisory Committee.

Before working in Texas public service, Smitherman was an investment banker for 16 years, working at Lazard Ltd., The First Boston Corp., J.P. Morgan Securities and Banc One Capital Markets.

“V&E’s robust energy practice provides the perfect opportunity for me to leverage the insights I gained with the Railroad Commission and Public Utility Commission,” Smitherman said. “In addition, V&E’s reputation as a leader among energy firms, its wealth of talented attorneys, and dedication to clients were particular draws for me. I am excited to embark on this next stage of my career.”