Rick has a strong background in public utilities law. He currently represents several public utilities and advises cities on utility issues. His experience as General Counsel for several Washington public utilities dates to 2004, advising them on a wide range of legal issues, including rate setting, pole attachments, vendor agreements, credit assurances, franchise agreements, easements, utility policies, customer service agreements, utility construction
projects, and utility procurement.
His decade of experience as in-house General Counsel for a regional utility prior to returning to private practice gives him a keen understanding of how utilities operate. He is deeply familiar with the legal complexities of managing both public entity and regulatory requirements.
Rick is one of a handful of attorneys statewide who was asked by the Washington State Departments of Ecology and Department of Health to co-author legislation that later came to be known as the “Joint Municipal Utilities Services Act,” RCW 39.106. Rick also participated in writing legislation allowing Public Utility Districts to enter into “unit priced contracts,” under RCW 54.04.070.
Among the services provided by Richard L. Hughes are:
- Contract General Counsel, overseeing legal needs of various types of utilities
- Review and revision utility policies, including governance, procurement, financial controls, human resources and labor
- Negotiate various utility-related agreements
- Corporate formation and governance strategies
- Manage legal and regulatory issues with State Agencies
- Interpret and advise on utility-related legislation