Jamie Watts is a highly experienced energy and communications attorney who represents a broad range of regulated entities and stakeholders across Louisiana. Jamie’s clients include customers of electric utilities, a regional transmission organization, telecom and broadband providers, a local natural gas utility, common carriers, maritime pilots and non-profit public entities (including the Louisiana Utilities Restoration Corporation), as well as major industrial, retail and technology companies. Jamie advises clients on the full spectrum of regulatory compliance issues and commercial transactions involving electricity produced and distributed from traditional and renewable sources and securitization of system-restoration costs. She also routinely represents entities before the Louisiana Public Service Commission, the New Orleans City Council and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on rate cases, change of control applications and related matters.
Jamie understands her clients’ strategic objectives and the value of the products and services they deliver to the broader community, and helps develop solutions that identify and achieve mutual goals. Jamie’s broad client base (which ranges from Fortune 500 enterprises to local utilities and businesses) is another key asset: She regularly adopts lessons learned in one arena to help executives identify, manage and minimize potential risks in their own businesses.
Recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers and Partners and other legal and industry ratings agencies, Jamie also is a familiar and respected presence in corporate boardrooms and in the offices of state regulatory agencies and local governments. She understands the priorities of elected and appointed officials as well as the internal processes of the departments they lead. Jamie draws on this knowledge to help clients navigate complex application, approval and compliance procedures and resolve disputes early and effectively. Jamie also has significant experience in estate planning and succession matters, and regularly supervises the work of attorneys at the firm who assist her in providing these services.
While in law school, Jamie served a clerkship for Long Law Firm and other private and public legal departments; today, she serves as Co-Managing Partner for the firm.
Experience
- In 2021, Jamie guided the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO), through performance evaluations conducted by the Louisiana Public Service Commission and the New Orleans City Council for continued participation of investor-owned utilities and related stakeholders.
- As corporate counsel for the Louisiana Utilities Restoration Corporation (LURC), Jamie has represented the organization in securitization of more than $5.3 billion in utility system restoration charges resulting from Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike, Isaac, Laura, Delta, Zeta and Ida, and Winter Storm Uri.
- On behalf of large industrial manufacturing facilities, Jamie has obtained market-based rate authorization from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Practice Areas
- Administrative Law: Regulated Entities
- Business Structure & Transactions
- Estate Planning & Successions
- Utilities: Energy & Telecommunications
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
- US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
- US District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
- US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
- All Louisiana State Courts
Noteworthy
- Chambers USA, Louisiana: Energy & Natural Resources: Utilities, Band 2 (2021)
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent peer-review rating
- Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Leadership Class (2014)
- Louisiana State Bar Association, “Outstanding Young Lawyer” Award (2013)
- Baton Rouge Business Report, “40 Under 40” (2013)
Professional Engagement/Memberships
- Louisiana State Bar Association, Chair, Public Utility Section (2013–2015)
- Baton Rouge Bar Association, Chair, Young Lawyers Section Council (2012)
- Louisiana State Bar Association, Volunteer Mentor, Transition into Practice Program
- Wex Malone American Inns of Court
- Women’s Energy Network–Southeast Louisiana Chapter
- Energy Bar Association, Board Member and Chair (Louisiana Chapter)
Community Service
- Manship Theatre, Shaw Center for the Arts, Baton Rouge, Board of Directors President
- St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Confirmation Volunteer
Presentations
- Ratepayer-Backed Securitization in Louisiana: J.P. Morgan Public Finance Transportation & Utility Investor Forum (March 30, 2022)
Education
- Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University
JD
- Louisiana State University
BS, Education
