W. Patrick Dinnin practices in Duane Morris’ Trial Group with a focus on the energy industry. Mr. Dinnin has extensive experience in electricity, water, natural gas, and telecommunications matters before state regulatory agencies, including his time with the Enforcement Division at the Public Utility Commission of Texas. He has represented landowners in renewable energy land lease agreements with developers of wind, solar and energy storage projects. Additionally, he has represented independent system operators, municipalities, utilities and other market participants across a broad range of state and federal administrative agency matters, including litigation, ratemaking proceedings, rulemakings, complaints, enforcement matters and policy comments in agency projects. He assists healthcare providers and construction clients in disputes and compliance-related matters.
Mr. Dinnin is a 2015 graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, and a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Government.
Areas of Practice
- Litigation
Energy
- Renewable Energy
- Construction & Engineering
- Healthcare
Admissions
- Texas
Education
- University of Houston Law Center, J.D., 2015
- University of Texas at Austin, B.A., 2011
Experience
- Duane Morris LLP
- Associate, 2021-present - Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend P.C.
- Associate, 2018-2021 - The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC)
- Attorney, Oversight and Enforcement Division (O&E), 2016-2018 - Danilov & Konradi LLP
- Associate, 2015-2016 - Texas House of Representatives – Representative J. M. Lozano
- Legislative Fellowship, 2015
Honors and Awards
- Best Teammate – University of Texas Rugby Team (2011)
- Eagle Scout – Boy Scouts of America (2005)
Selected Speaking Engagements
- Texas Coalition of Cities for Utility Issues (TCCFUI) Annual Conference, speaker, The Texas Landscape for Municipally Provided Broadband, December 2020
Representative Matters
Represented Qualified Scheduling Entity in enforcement investigation before Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Represented coalitions of cities in rulemaking proceedings before the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Represented coalitions of cities in electricity utility rate cases, distribution cost recovery factor (DCRF) proceedings, and Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor (EECRF) proceedings before the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Represented coalitions of cities in natural gas rulemaking proceedings before the Railroad Commission of Texas.
Represented a water utility in its approval of new water and sewer rates before the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Settled the Public Utility Commission’s largest penalty against an electricity utility for customer billing violations.
Settled enforcement action against Retail Electric Provider for violation of customer protection rules concerning solicitation and telemarketing.
Developed submetered and allocated billing enforcement strategy for Public Utility Commission of Texas.
Settled enforcement action against apartment complex owners for violation of submetered and allocated electricity billing rules and statutes.
Settled enforcement action against apartment complex owners for violation of submetered and allocated water billing rules and statutes.
Settled enforcement action against mobile home park for billing violations.
Negotiated the placement of a water utility into receivership for hostility towards the Public Utility Commission of Texas and for failing to provide continuous and adequate service.
Drafted rules for Public Utility Commission of Texas to implement legislation.