(openPR) - AUSTIN – The law firm of Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP begins 2012 with the addition of the public utility lawyers from Webking McClendon, PC. Joining Gardere’s Energy Group as partners in its Austin office are Shannon K. McClendon and Catherine J. Webking, each of whom brings more than 20 years of experience in the area of public utility law, and associate Andres Medrano. Gardere’s Energy Group is a multi-disciplinary group of approximately 60 attorneys with diverse backgrounds, experience, and skills specific to the energy industry.

The addition of Shannon K. McClendon, Catherine J. Webking and Andres Medrano brings valuable experience to Gardere’s national energy practice as well as complements the strong presence of the well-respected Austin office of Gardere. Doug Eyberg, head of Gardere’s Energy Industry Practice Group, said, “We are very excited to have Cathy, Shannon and Andres join us and provide a valuable new practice area to our Energy Group.”

The addition to the practice brings experience representing a wide variety of electric industry market participants, including large renewable energy generators, retail electric providers, governmental entities, large consumers of electricity, and large and small commercial and residential property owners. These attorneys have extensive experience representing these and other clients on matters including contract negotiations, administrative rulemakings, regulatory matters, complex litigation, and appellate issues. Each brings extensive experience assisting clients in navigating and assessing the regulatory impacts on their clients and their businesses. Mr. Medrano brings the dimension of several years of experience simultaneously managing multiple complex cases as a former senior attorney with the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

“We are pleased that Shannon, Catherine and Andres have joined Gardere,” says Steve Good, Gardere’s Managing Partner. “Continuing to grow the Austin office and further enhancing our Energy Group are integral pieces of Gardere’s core strategy. This terrific addition will contribute to the success of both.”

A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Houston Clear Lake and the University of Houston Law Center, Ms. McClendon serves on the Board of Directors for the University of Houston Alumni Association. She has actively served on many electric industry-related boards, including prior service on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (“ERCOT”) Board of Directors. She also has more than 10 years of public service as a Governor Rick Perry appointee, most recently and currently serving as a Board Member of the Texas Appraisers Licensing and Certification Board.

A chemical engineering graduate of Texas A&M University and a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law and member of The Order of the Coif, Ms. Webking serves as general counsel and executive director to the Texas Energy Association for Marketers, an association of competitive retail electric providers seeking to strengthen Texas’ competitive retail electric market. Ms. Webking also has legal experience in other competitive regulated industries including natural gas, telecommunications and water.

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, an AmLaw 200 firm founded in 1909 and one of the Southwest’s largest full-service law firms, has offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston and Mexico City. Gardere provides legal services to private and public companies and individuals in areas of corporate, litigation, energy, tax, real estate, financial services, government affairs, hospitality, intellectual property, labor and employment and environmental.

Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP
One American Center, Suite 3000
600 Congress Avenue
Austin, Texas 78701-2978
512.542.7000
Press Contact: Kristin Butler, Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, kbutler@gardere.com, 214.999.4843 or Rhonda Reddick, Androvett Legal Media, rhonda@androvett.com, 800.559.4534