Former North Carolina Utilities Commission Chair Joins McGuireWoods 

  Charlotte Mitchell, former chair of the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) and a leader in the regulatory community, has joined McGuireWoods as a partner in Raleigh. Her arrival enhances the capabilities of the firm’s Energy Regulatory & Enforcement Practice Group.

Mitchell was appointed to the NCUC in 2018 by then-Gov. Roy Cooper, and she served as the chair from 2019 to 2025. As chair, she presided over major rate cases, long-term planning proceedings and regulatory investigations involving electric, natural gas, water and transportation providers. She also led decision-making processes and oversaw the drafting and issuance of orders.

Mitchell served as president of the Organization of PJM States Inc. from 2021 to 2023 and as vice chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners' Committee on Energy Resources and the Environment from 2019 to 2024. Prior to her appointment to the NCUC, she was in private practice advising clients on utilities regulation and environmental and land use matters.

“Charlotte is widely respected by industry stakeholders for her legal and business acumen and steady leadership as chair of the NCUC,” said Vishwa Link, co-leader of the firm’s Energy Regulatory & Enforcement Practice Group. “She understands how regulators think and is keenly aware of the challenges our clients face in a changing environment. Her unique perspective will be a valuable asset for our team and clients.”

Richard W. Viola, deputy managing partner of McGuireWoods’ corporate practice, added: “Charlotte’s insight enhances our market-leading regulatory and compliance capabilities at the state and federal levels, helping clients mitigate risks and achieve their business goals.”

McGuireWoods’ regulatory and compliance lawyers represent energy clients and investor-owned utilities in proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Environmental Protection Agency, state public utility commissions and various state agencies. The team includes former federal and state regulatory leaders, former senior utility company attorneys, and career commercial and regulatory litigators. The firm recently strengthened its energy enforcement team with the addition of partner Jeremy Medovoy, the former deputy director of FERC’s Office of Enforcement and the agency’s top-ranking enforcement lawyer.

McGuireWoods earned nationwide rankings for energy regulatory, litigation and transactional work in the 2024 editions of The Legal 500 United States and Chambers USA.

“McGuireWoods has a reputation for excellence across all aspects of regulatory compliance and enforcement in North Carolina and nationwide,” Mitchell said. “I have enormous respect for the attorneys on this team and am excited for the opportunity to put my experience to work for the firm and clients.”

Mitchell’s arrival in McGuireWoods’ Raleigh office follows the return of partner Michael F. Easley Jr., who rejoined the firm after serving as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

“Charlotte has distinguished herself in public service and private practice and we are delighted to welcome her as she begins a new chapter at McGuireWoods,” said Elizabeth Zwickert Timmermans, managing partner of the firm’s Raleigh office.