Practice Focus
John Marshall, who was named one of 34 “Groundbreaking Lawyers of 2010” from across the nation in the field of energy law by Public Utilities Fortnightly magazine, has regularly represented clients before the Vermont Public Service Board in a variety of energy, telecommunications and environmental matters for nearly three decades.
In addition to Public Service Board work, John’s public utility practice has included appearances before the Department of Energy and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
John chairs the firm’s Energy & Telecommunications Group. He previously served as chair of DRM’s Management Committee for seven years, followed by six years of service as the firm’s managing partner and chief executive officer.
Significant Matters
John has appeared before the Vermont Public Service Board to petition to obtain its approval of:
- acquisition by a Gaz Metro subsidiary of Green Mountain Power Corporation
- sale of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station
- siting of a 52-mile, high-voltage, direct-current transmission line
- a natural-gas pipeline in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom
- hydroelectric projects
- Comcast Corporation’s acquisition of Vermont’s largest cable franchise
- Vermont Gas Systems, Inc.’s alternative-regulation plan – the first in Vermont
Professional Activities
John served for six years as chair of the Vermont Bar Association Environmental Law Committee and three years as the chair of its Health Law Committee. He served as a member of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Health and the Vermont Health Care Authority’s Advisory Committee on Universal Access. He also served as chair of the Northeast Kingdom’s District Environmental Commission, which included serving on other District Environmental Commissions when members had conflicts.
John holds Martindale-Hubbell’s AV® Preeminent™ Peer Rating, the highest rating attainable. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America 2011, having been continuously recognized by that organization for more than a decade, and he was named Best Lawyers Montpelier Area Environmental Lawyer of the Year for 2011. (Best Lawyers' Montpelier area includes St. Johnsbury.) He is ranked among the top five percent of attorneys in Vermont by Super Lawyers® magazine for his work in the areas of utilities, energy & natural resources and communications law.
Community Involvement
John is active in local and regional organizations, providing his services pro bono to the Town of Peacham and other organizations in Peacham such as the library and church. He has served as chair of the board of directors for Vermont Community Foundation, Inc.., and Vermont Public Television. John has served on the board of directors of Smart-Growth Vermont, the St. Johnsbury Railroad Heritage Society and Northeast Kingdom Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
Publications/Presentations
John wrote an essay on regulation of industry for a book, Vermont State Government and Administration, published by the Snelling Center for Government and the University of Vermont. He has twice lectured in Karelia (a republic in the Russian Federation and Vermont’s sister state) on environmental and commercial law as part of the Rule of Law Project.
Reported Cases
In re Adelphia Business Solutions of Vermont, Inc., 2004 Vt. 82
In re Petition of Twenty-four Vt. Utilities, 159 Vt. 339 (1992)
State v. Shop and Save Food Markets, Inc., 138 Vt. 332 (1980)
Brattleboro Auto Sales v. Subaru of New Eng., 633 F.2d 649 (2nd Cir. 1980)
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