Gary M. Bridgens

Gary is an associate in the Vorys Cleveland office and a member of the firm’s finance, energy and real estate group.

Gary’s practice is built on an understanding of both retail and wholesale electric power markets.  His broad experience includes state-level certificate and change-of-control proceedings, rate cases and complaint cases, as well as matters involving the Federal Power Act and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Open Access Transmission Tariff framework.  Gary advocates for clients before federal and state authorities, including FERC, the United States Department of Energy, state regulatory and siting commissions, and courts handling appeals from administrative agency proceedings.

Gary also advises clients in their assessment of high-value transactions and agreements, including long-term power purchase agreements, interconnection agreements, battery energy storage system services agreements, natural gas transportation contracts and related transactions.

Gary earned his J.D. cum laude from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, where he served as executive editor of the George Mason Law Review (Vol. 29) and was founder of the Society for Environmental and Energy Law.  Gary previously worked with a global advisory and advocacy firm, advising Fortune 500 corporations and trade associations on public affairs and political strategy.  He received his B.S. in journalism from Ohio University.

Representative Experience

Federal Level

Manufacturers and Other Industrial Operators

• As intervenors in public utility rate cases.
• As customers seeking to negotiate rates, terms and conditions of electric or natural gas service.

Institutional and Private Equity

• In compliance with state laws concerning the purchase, sale or other change of control over electric generating assets or related facilities.
• In the assessment of regulatory conditions and requirements for market entry

State Level

Independent Power Producers

• In compliance with FERC’s market-based rate regime, including applications, changes in status and triennial compliance filings.
• In compliance with Federal Power Act Sections 203 and 205, as well as participation in Section 206 proceedings.

Transmission Owners or Developers

• In the drafting of a tariff schedule for the resale or reassignment of transmission services.
• In compliance with FERC’s Open Access Transmission Tariff Framework, including analysis of transmission service reservations and wholesale market transactions.
• In compliance with FERC’s Standards of Conduct.

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers In America: Ones to Watch, Energy Law, 2026–2027

Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2027

Professional & Community Activities

American Bar Association Infrastructure and Regulated Industries Section, Publications Chair, 2026–Present