Shreveport Regulatory Proceedings Lawyer

Shreveport Regulatory Proceedings Attorney

If your company operates in an industry regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC), compliance isn’t optional. Fortunately, a knowledgeable Shreveport regulatory proceedings lawyer can evaluate your situation, show you how to meet regulatory standards, and handle any problems that arise.

At Ezell Law Firm, LLC, our legal team provides seasoned counsel and representation for companies involved in utility and infrastructure-related regulatory issues. If your operations, rates, or permits come under scrutiny, a regulatory proceedings attorney from our firm can mean the difference between costly enforcement and continued growth.

About Us

Ezell Law Firm, LLC, provides experienced legal representation to regulated entities in matters before the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). We also advocate for public and private companies with a vested interest in the outcomes of LPSC decisions, like businesses that could be negatively impacted by significant rate increases or adverse policy determinations.

For over 20 years, Mr. Ezell has been a dedicated legal advisor in the field of regulatory proceedings law. With deep insight into Louisiana’s regulatory framework, Mr. Ezell understands not only how the system operates but also how to work effectively within it.

What Types of Companies Fall Under LPSC Oversight?

Residents of Louisiana spend 42% more on utilities than the average American. Furthermore, local companies overcharged customers by $150 million in 2022, despite a 14.3% increase in outages. These statistics show how the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) has an important role in regulating essential service providers that impact the daily lives of Louisiana residents and businesses.

Companies that fall under the LPSC’s authority must comply with strict standards governing rates, services, and consumer protections. The LPSC regulates a range of industries that provide critical services to the public, including:

• Electric utilities (investor-owned and cooperative)
• Natural gas utilities
• Intrastate telecommunications carriers
• Water and sewer utilities
• Common and contract motor carriers (trucking, buses)
• Waste haulers and towing services
• Pipeline operators and utility contractors
• Household goods movers operating within Louisiana

If your business is subject to these regulations, you already know how complex and evolving regulatory proceedings law can be. At Ezell Law Firm, LLC, our regulatory attorneys can make sure your operations remain aligned with both the letter and spirit of Louisiana law.

Common Regulatory Proceedings Cases Involving the LPSC

As a business subject to LPSC jurisdiction, you could face administrative scrutiny for many different reasons. Our Shreveport regulatory proceedings attorneys are experienced in handling a wide range of regulatory proceedings cases, including:

• Rate case applications and challenges
• Permit disputes or license revocations
• Tariff and contract reviews
• Show cause orders and enforcement hearings
• Violations of service quality standards
• Complaints filed by customers or competitors
• Failure to file required reports or data
• Unauthorized service areas or illegal operations

Ezell Law Firm, LLC, can guide companies through each phase, from informal inquiries and staff investigations to formal administrative hearings before the LPSC.

How a Shreveport Regulatory Proceedings Attorney Can Help

Companies regulated by the LPSC operate under a strict framework of compliance. Even unintentional missteps, like missing a reporting deadline or failing to update a tariff, can result in administrative penalties. Ezell Law Firm, LLC, offers comprehensive services, including:

• Preparation and filing of LPSC applications or reports
• Defending against administrative complaints or staff investigations
• Challenging unfavorable LPSC rulings or regulations
• Representing your interests in formal hearings
• Advising on mergers, acquisitions, service territory issues, or audits
• Negotiating settlements or consent agreements

Each regulatory proceedings case is fact-specific and often highly technical. That’s why our attorneys collaborate with industry professionals to craft persuasive arguments, develop solid evidentiary records, and advocate for your business’s operational and financial interests.

Hire a Regulatory Proceedings Lawyer

At Ezell Law Firm, LLC, we don’t just understand regulatory proceedings law; we’re familiar with the procedures, people, and courthouses that shape the outcome of your case.

We’ve appeared before the First Judicial District Court in Caddo Parish, which regularly handles appeals and challenges arising from LPSC decisions affecting Shreveport-area companies. We also know the expectations and local practices in venues like the Shreveport City Court, Bossier City Court, and the Twenty-Sixth Judicial District Court, which serves Bossier and Webster Parishes.

When your business is at stake, you need to hire a regulatory proceedings lawyer who understands the local legal system. At Ezell Law Firm, LLC, we have the knowledge and experience necessary to protect your interests.

FAQs

What Should My Company Do If We Receive a Show Cause Order From the LPSC?

If your company receives a show cause order from the LPSC, this means the LPSC thinks your company may have violated a regulation or failed to meet a reporting or compliance obligation. It’s a formal request for your company to explain why penalties shouldn’t be imposed. You should immediately contact a regulatory proceedings attorney to assess the allegations, gather documentation, and prepare a legal response.

Can a Private Business Challenge an LPSC Decision, Even If It’s Not a Utility?

Yes, a private business can challenge an LPSC decision, even if it’s not a utility. Although your company isn’t directly regulated by the LPSC, you could still be impacted by its decisions, especially in cases involving utility rates, infrastructure approvals, or energy policy shifts. Legal counsel can help your company file comments, motions to intervene, or petitions for reconsideration.

How Long Do LPSC Regulatory Proceedings Usually Take to Resolve?

The duration of a regulatory proceeding before the LPSC depends on the complexity of the issue. Simple filings or uncontested rate adjustments could take a few months. However, formal rate cases, permit disputes, or enforcement hearings could span over a year. The process includes staff investigations, evidence gathering, public hearings, and LPSC deliberations.

What Are the Risks of Handling an LPSC Compliance Matter Without Legal Counsel?

Trying to handle an LPSC compliance matter without an attorney can expose your business to serious risks, like fines, revocation of permits, or damaging precedents in future cases. Regulatory proceedings law involves unique rules, evidentiary standards, and administrative deadlines. Without knowledgeable legal guidance, companies often miss procedural requirements or fail to present a strong defense.

Talk to a Shreveport Regulatory Proceedings Attorney Today

LPSC proceedings aren’t something your in-house team should try to handle alone. Agencies have staff attorneys and economists working to enforce policy, and you deserve an attorney who’s just as experienced. At Ezell Law Firm, LLC, we’ve helped countless companies navigate investigations, defend permits, and secure favorable rate decisions.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation.