Howard J. Read

Howard Read graduated from the University of Chicago Law School in 1969. He joined the Staff of the New York State Department of Public Service ("NYSDPS") in August 1970. While at the NYSDPS Mr. Read represented the Staff in many cases including telephone and electric and gas utility rates (New York Telephone Company, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, and Rochester Gas & Electric Corporation). He was also counsel in a number of generic cases, among them the underground siting of utility facilities and ratemaking for cable television pole attachments. From 1976 until he left the NYSDPS in 1983, Mr. Read's duties consisted primarily of court-related work, advising the NYSDPS on legal and policy issues and supervision of NYSDPS litigation. Court cases included representation of the NYSDPS in both state and federal courts including the New York Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Among others, the cases involved the legality of fuel adjustment clauses, restrictions on use of bill inserts and promotional advertising by public utilities and the validity of rate orders.

Mr. Read left the NYSDPS in December of 1983 to engage in the private practice of law where he now represents clients before federal and state courts, the FERC, the NYSPSC, the Siting Board, the NYSDEC and other New York administrative agencies. In addition to his appellate practice, Mr. Read has represented clients with respect to a variety of general business matters, including real estate and tax issues. Mr. Read also supervises the Firm's representation of clients engaged in asset acquisition and financing transactions.