Polsinelli welcomes Kevin D. Gunn, the former Chairman of the Missouri Public Service Commission, to the firm’s Energy Practice as shareholder. Gunn will practice in the firm’s St. Louis office. As Chairman of the Missouri Public Service Commission, he oversaw the regulation of all investor–owned utilities in the state, ensuring ratepayers received safe, adequate and reliable utility service at reasonable rates. In addition to his energy experience, Gunn brings public policy acumen to Polsinelli having served as chief of staff to Representative Richard Gephardt from January 2003 until the congressman’s retirement in 2005.
“We are very pleased to add Kevin Gunn to our experienced team of Energy attorneys,” Frank A. Caro, Jr. who leads the firm’s Energy Practice. “He is a well-known leader in areas important to our energy clients. His deep experience within the fields of electricity, gas, water, regulated sewers, telecommunications, as well as his knowledge of utilities infrastructure and transmission, will allow our group to continue to bring knowledgeable answers to our clients’ most challenging issues.”
Polsinelli’s Energy Practice represents energy companies, developers, lenders and investors in connection with the acquisition, development, finance and operation of a variety of energy facilities. These include oil, gas and electric facilities and wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and biofuel renewable energy projects.
“Polsinelli has a reputation as a leader in the fields of energy and public policy law,” Gunn said. “I’m looking forward to helping expand the firm’s reach in St Louis as well as statewide and nationally. In particular, I think my prior work with the National Association of Regulatory Utilities Commission will be extremely helpful.”
Gunn was a member of the board of directors of the NARUC from 2009 to 2013 and served on the organization’s committee on international relations. During that time, he was also appointed as co-chair of the NARUC Washington Action Program, as well as to the NARUC committee on electricity. He was a member of the executive committee of the Eastern Interconnection States’ Planning Council (EISPC) and the Stakeholder Steering Committee (SSC) of the Eastern Interconnection Planning Collaborative.
In February 2012, Gunn received the inaugural Terry Barnich Award for his work in a NARUC facilitated and U.S. Agency for International Development funded partnership between the Missouri PSC and the Moldovan National Agency for Energy Regulation. The award honors former Illinois Commerce Commission Chair, Terry Barnich, who served in the State Department in Iraq, providing needed expertise in energy. Barnich was killed in Fallujah on Memorial Day in 2009. The award recognizes the ongoing commitment of NARUC members to furthering regulatory best practices around the globe.
Gunn was chosen as an Eisenhower Fellow in 2008. Established in 1953 as a birthday tribute to President Dwight D. Eisenhower, fellows are selected based on a variety of criteria including demonstrated impact in their professional field, active engagement in community activities, motivation to make a difference, enthusiasm for continued learning, ability of the fellowship to significantly enhance leadership strength and impact, and potential for advanced leadership and societal impact. During his fellowship, Gunn traveled to Australia to study energy and economic development, carbon pollution reduction schemes, renewable energy targets, and carbon capture and sequestration.
“The addition of Kevin to our St. Louis office, with his expansive knowledge of the utilities and energy industry, as well as his hands-on experience on Capitol Hill, is exciting,” Randy S. Gerber, managing director of the St. Louis office said. “His tremendous knowledge and unique perspectives will position both our national firm and our local office for significant expansion within this practice area, which we have identified as a key industry for our growth.”
Gunn received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from American University in 1992. He graduated from St. Louis University School of Law in 1996. He currently resides in Ladue, Mo. with his wife, Amy, and their sons Connor and Nathan. He has previously served as the chairman of the St. Clare Hospital Foundation Board, on the Webster Groves City Council, St. Louis County Fire Standards Commission, and the Public Policy Council of the St. Louis Regional Chamber.
