Kirk represents a variety of private and public clients, including those before:

• The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT)
• The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
• The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
• The Texas Reliability Entity (TRE)
• The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
• The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)
• The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC)
• The Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC)
• The Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)
• The Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC)
• Other federal and state regulatory bodies

Electric Generation & Utility Experience

• Represent clients in the sale, transfer, and merger of electric generation and utility assets
• Negotiate power purchase agreements
• Represent clients in all aspects of utility ratemaking proceedings
• Represent clients in certificate of convenience and necessity (CCN) proceedings involving high-voltage transmission lines
• Advise clients regarding compliance with agency regulations
• Advise clients regarding development of alternative energy projects, including solar energy, biofuel, wind power, and energy storage projects
• Advise clients regarding the development and implementation of smart-grid facilities
• Advise clients regarding participation in ERCOT, including counseling regarding application and revision of the ERCOT Protocols and Operating Guides
• Advise clients regarding registration and participation in NERC and compliance with NERC Reliability Standards
• Advise clients regarding state and federal regulatory implications of energy transactions, including structuring issues
• Advise clients regarding energy and utility legislation pending before the U.S. Congress, Texas Legislature, and other state legislative bodies
• Advise clients on utility tariff issues, interconnections and contributions in aid of construction (CIAC)
• Represent clients in all aspects of administrative and regulatory proceedings, rulemakings, complaint actions, and licensing
• Represent utility clients in Texas state court administrative appeals
• Draft and negotiate generation interconnections and associated agreements and consents between electric generators, transmission service providers, and financial institutions
• Draft and negotiate all manner of agreements for energy clients, including affiliate agreements
• Represented largest generator of electricity, largest investor-owned and public transmission and distribution utilities, and largest retail electric providers in Texas
• Represented municipally owned utilities, retail electric providers, oil and gas exploration and production companies, public and private universities, and entities acquiring energy services
• Represented developer of on-site energy generation and management systems
• Represented the U.S. Department of Energy in connection with the licensing of its Yucca Mountain Project (geologic nuclear waste repository) by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Represented largest independently owned title company and the one of the largest credit services organization and credit access business in Texas

• Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ranked for Energy: State Regulatory & Litigation (Electricity) – Texas, 2018-2024
• The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Administrative / Regulatory Law, 2021-2025
• Who’s Who Legal – USA by Lexology, Recommended for Energy – Power/Electricity, 2024
• “The Lawdragon 500 Leading Energy Lawyers,” Energy & Natural Resources, 2024
• Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, Administrative Law, 2017-2019
• Top Lawyers, Texas Monthly, 2018
• Texas Rising Star, Texas Monthly, 2010
• Board Certified in Administrative Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 2010

Publications

• Co-author, “Being an Effective Advocate,” Currents by POWER Engineers, 2022
• Co-author, “How to Avoid Accidentally Becoming a Regulated Electric Utility in Texas,” Texas Real Estate Business, 2006
• Co-author, “Who Will Play Poker in the Texas Saloon if the Sheriff Makes Everyone Play With Their Cards Face Up? The Importance of Protecting Competitively Sensitive Information in the Restructured Texas Electric Market” Texas Tech University School of Law Administrative Law Journal, 2004

Speeches

• Co-Presenter, “Navigating the Challenges of Transmission Development,” Institute for Energy Law’s 2nd Conference on Renewable Project Development, 2023
• Presenter, FERC and NERC Regulation in Texas, Texas Utility Lawyer Association Annual Meeting, 2011
• Presenter, Witness Skills, Burns & McDonnell Transmission Line Routing Seminar, 2011
• Presenter, ERCOT February 2011 Extreme Cold Weather Event: Counsel to a Generator’s Perspective, 4th Annual Power and Alternative Energy Law Conference, 2011
• Presenter, Regulatory Hurdles to Achieving a Smart Grid, 2nd Annual IEEE Green Technologies Conference, 2010
• Presenter, Regulatory Obstacles to Achieving a Smart Grid, Smart Grid America Forum, 2009

• State Bar of Texas
  • Environmental & Natural Resources Section
  • Public Utility Law Section
• Austin Bar Association, Administrative Law Section
• Dallas Bar Association
• American Bar Association
  • Administrative Law & Regulatory Practice Section
  • Environment, Energy, & Resources Section
  • Infrastructure & Regulated Industries Section
• Boy Scouts of America
  • Eagle Scout
  • Friends of Scouting Campaign, White Buffalo District, Circle 10 Council Chairman, 2005–2006

August 15, 2024
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.

July 23, 2024
Attorney News

David Dunlap, Mike Pearson, and Kirk Rasmussen Recognized in Who’s Who Legal Energy Report

David Dunlap, Michael Pearson, and Kirk Rasmussen were recognized in Who’s Who Legal’s Energy – USA Report featuring the leading practitioners with a proven track record in representing clients in the energy sector.

June 6, 2024
Spotlight

Chambers and Partners Releases 2024 USA Guide Featuring 67 Jackson Walker Attorneys and 23 Ranked Departments

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 67 attorneys and 23 departments for inclusion in the 2024 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys were ranked across 27 departments, with 3 attorneys listed among multiple areas, 8 ranked nationwide in their respective areas, and 15 recognized for the first time.

February 16, 2024
Attorney News

Lawdragon Names 12 Jackson Walker Partners Among Leading Energy Lawyers of 2024

According to Lawdragon, the Energy 500 list “reflects the historic strength of a handful of firms in this area, as well as the incursions the global powerhouses have made establishing Energy as a mainstay of their practices.”

August 17, 2023
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.

June 1, 2023
Spotlight

Chambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2023 USA and Global Guides

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 51 attorneys and 17 departments for inclusion in the 2023 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys recognized in the guides were ranked in 19 practice areas, with 4 attorneys listed among multiple areas and 6 named among the top attorneys nationwide in their respective areas.

August 18, 2022
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.

June 1, 2022
Spotlight

Chambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2022 USA and Global Guides

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 48 attorneys and 16 departments for inclusion in the 2022 edition of the Global and USA guides.

February 24, 2022
Insights

Being an Effective Advocate | Currents by POWER Engineers

By Kirk Rasmussen and Craig Bennett | Whether in a presentation to a receptive client or on the witness stand facing cross examination by a hostile attorney, this article provides practical pointers on being a credible and effective advocate.

February 11, 2022
Attorney News

Jackson Walker Announces Largest Class of Newly Elected Partners to Date

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the election of 14 attorneys to the Firm’s partnership on Friday, February 11, 2022. In addition to electing 14 new partners, the Firm also congratulates Bart Cicuto, Noah Speck, and Austin Thomas on their promotion from associates to senior counsel.

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