Hanzlik, Paul F.

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Updated 9/30/2009

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Foley & Lardner LLP

321 North Clark
Suite 2800

Chicago, IL 60654

Phone: (312) 832-4901

Fax: 312-832-4700

Contact Us

Websites associated with this firm:http://www.foley.com

Summary

Current Employment Position(s)

Partner

Lawyer Overview

Paul F. Hanzlik is a partner in the law firm of Foley & Lardner LLP, where he is a member of the Energy Industry Team. He is a former member of the firm's Management Committee.

Mr. Hanzlik concentrates his practice on utility matters and represents clients before state regulatory agencies and in court. His experience includes the restructuring of electric operations, establishing retail rates for electric, gas and water utilities, obtaining state regulatory approvals for utility mergers and asset sales, obtaining public utility commission approval for an auction for power procurement, demonstrating prudence in managing fuel contracts, purchased power arrangements and generating station operations, litigating construction cost recovery for generating facilities and demonstrating the reliability of system operations. He has also litigated commercial and utility company disputes including breach of contract claims, tax issues, and decommissioning cost recovery.

Mr. Hanzlik received his law degree from Columbia University and his undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University, cum laude with distinction, in economics. He is admitted to the Illinois Bar, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is also a member of the trial bar for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers ranked Mr. Hanzlik as a "Senior Statesman" in energy law because of his energy regulatory work. He is also included in The Best Lawyers of America, and the Illinois Super Lawyers lists (2005 2009).*

Mr. Hanzlik is currently a member of the American Bar Association's section of Public Utility Law. He is past chair of the ABA's Electric Power Committee, Natural Resources Section and is the former chair of the Chicago Bar Association's Public Utility Law Committee. Mr. Hanzlik has written and spoken extensively on issues impacting the energy industry. Prior to beginning the practice of law, Mr. Hanzlik served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

Representative publications and speeches include:

  • Wind and Solar Project Development and Permitting Conference, Program Co-Chair, 2009
  • "The Intersection of Renewable Energy Certificates and Carbon Credits," Bloomberg Law Reports: Sustainable Energy, 2009
  • "Divestiture of Non Core Assets and Consolidation Around Core Utility Business," Platts 5th Annual Utility M&A Conference, 2008
  • Utility Mergers and Acquisitions, "Navigating Regulation and the Role of the States," Platts 4th Annual Utility M&A Conference, 2007
  • "Strategies in an Era of Carbon Uncertainty," Infocast Conference, 2007
  • "Nuclear Plant Decommissioning: The State Perspective," TLG Decommissioning Conference, 2002
  • "Emerging Regulatory Issues for the Introduction of Generation Competition," National Energy Symposium, University of Wisconsin, 2000
  • "Management Prudence in a Competitive Environment," Third Annual Symposium sponsored by Energy Decisions, 1997
  • "Why Special Contract Discounts are Good for Competition," Public Utilities Fortnightly, 1997
  • "Balancing Electric and Magnetic Field Concerns and Least Cost Planning Obligations - When Is Prudent Avoidance Not Prudent?" Electric Utility Business Environment Conference sponsored by Electric Utility Consultants, Inc., 1993
  • "The 'Political Economy' of Demand-Side Management: New Developments and Emerging Issues.," American Bar Association teleconference, 1992
  • "The Impact of Electric and Magnetic Field Concerns on Transmission Line Siting," Third Annual Transmission and Wheeling Conference sponsored by Electric Utility Consultants, Inc. and Reid & Priest, 1992
  • "The Growing Controversy Over the Siting of New Transmission Facilities - Environmental, Health Hazard and Land Use Concerns," Strategic Utility Planning Conference sponsored by Electric Utility Consultants, Inc. and Woodward-Clyde Consultants, 1992
  • "Using Demand Side Management to Cut Transmission and Distribution Costs - The Controversy Over Siting New Transmission Lines," Third Annual Transmission Symposiums sponsored by Public Utilities Reports, Inc., The Management Exchange and The Utilities Institute, 1991
  • "Nuclear Plant Performance Standards/Incentive Mechanisms - The Privilege of Self-Critical Analysis.," Edison Electric Institute Utility Prudence Group, 1991
  • "Environmental and Siting Issues for New Transmission, Will the Lines Be Built?" Second Annual Transmission Symposiums sponsored by Public Utilities Reports, Inc., The Management Exchange and The Utilities Institute, 1990

    Mr. Hanzlik serves on the Board of Directors of Children's Memorial Hospital and the Children's Memorial Hospital Foundation Board and is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago.

    * The Illinois Supreme Court does not recognize certifications of specialties in the practice of law and no award or recognition is a requirement to practice law in Illinois.

  • Areas of Practice

    • Energy

    Qualifications

    Bar Admissions

    • Illinois
    • U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois
    • U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar

    Honors and Awards

    • Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers
    • The Best Lawyers of America
    • Illinois Super Lawyer by Law & Politics Media, Inc.

    Classes and Seminars

    • "Divestiture of Non Core Assests and Consolidation Around Core Utility Business," Platt's 5th Annual Utility M&A Conference
    • Utility Mergers and Acquisitions, "Navigating Regulation and the Role of the States," Platt's 4th Annual Utility M&A Conference
    • "Strategies in an Era of Carbon Uncertainty," Infocast Conference
    • "Nuclear Plant Decommissioning: The State Perspective," TLG Decommissioning Conference
    • "Emerging Regulatory Issues for the Introduction of Generation Competition," National Energy Symposium, University of Wisconsin
    • "Management Prudence in a Competitive Environment," Third Annual Symposium sponsored by Energy Decisions
    • "Why Special Contract Discounts are Good for Competition," Public Utilities Fortnightly
    • "Balancing Electric and Magnetic Field Concerns and Least Cost Planning Obligations - When Is Prudent Avoidance Not Prudent?" Electric Utility Business Environment Conference sponsored by Electric Utility Consultants, Inc.
    • "The 'Political Economy' of Demand-Side Management: New Developments and Emerging Issues.," American Bar Association teleconference
    • "The Impact of Electric and Magnetic Field Concerns on Transmission Line Siting," Third Annual Transmission and Wheeling Conference sponsored by Electric Utility Consultants, Inc. and Reid & Priest
    • "The Growing Controversy Over the Siting of New Transmission Facilities - Environmental, Health Hazard and Land Use Concerns," Strategic Utility Planning Conference sponsored by Electric Utility Consultants, Inc. and Woodward-Clyde Consultants
    • "Using Demand Side Management to Cut Transmission and Distribution Costs - The Controversy Over Siting New Transmission Lines," Third Annual Transmission Symposiums sponsored by Public Utilities Reports, Inc., The Management Exchange and The Utilities Institute
    • "Nuclear Plant Performance Standards/Incentive Mechanisms - The Privilege of Self-Critical Analysis.," Edison Electric Institute Utility Prudence Group
    • "Environmental and Siting Issues for New Transmission, Will the Lines Be Built?" Second Annual Transmission Symposiums sponsored by Public Utilities Reports, Inc., The Management Exchange and The Utilities Institute

    Pro Bono Activities

    • Board of Directors of Children's Memorial Hospital
    • Children's Memorial Hospital Foundation Board

    Past Employment Positions

    • U.S. Army, First Lieutenant

    Education

    • Columbia Law School, New York, New York
      J.D.
    • Wesleyan University
      B.S.
      Honors: cum laude
      Honors: With Distinction
      Major: Economics

    Office Information

    Address

    321 North Clark
    Suite 2800
    Chicago, IL 60654

    Phones

    (312) 832-4901

    Faxes

    312-832-4700

    Emails

    Contact Us

    Websites

    http://www.foley.com

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