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Desktop Image: Prabhakaran, Vidhya
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Vidhya Prabhakaran

He/Him

Partner

Partner-in-Charge, San Francisco

T 415.276.6568 San Francisco
I navigate the space where energy innovation, well-meaning regulation, and politics collide.
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Clients call me when they need a guide through the regulatory complexities that have arisen as California attempts to transition to economically viable greener power sources.

To that end, I regularly advocate on behalf of my clients throughout the energy sector who envision an efficient and reliable energy marketplace and seek to successfully invest in California's energy future. Specifically, I focus on directing client successes before California regulatory bodies, especially the California Public Utilities Commission, and getting to an acceptable outcome when trying to work with or around the large California investor-owned utilities. 

As the former president of the California Conference of Public Utilities Counsel, the Bar Association of San Francisco, the South Asian Bar Association of Northern California, and the Yale Club of Northern California, and the current president of the Energy Bar Association – Western Chapter, I regularly leverage the relationships I develop in these roles to benefit my clients because too often a deep understanding of the law is simply not enough. 

If it touches on energy in California, I can either help or find you someone who can find a practical solution to the problem you need solved. 

My experience before the CPUC has also allowed me to effectively and proudly represent clients in the regulated transportation, telecommunications, and water sectors as well.

At the firm, I am the partner-in-charge of the San Francisco office and the firmwide chair of the Sustainability Committee. I previously served as chair of the energy, natural resources, and environmental practice group.

Long-term procurement proceedings

Representing stakeholders in rulemakings before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) addressing long-term energy procurement.

Power purchase agreements

Negotiating power purchase agreements on behalf of electric generators, storage companies, energy marketers, energy service providers, demand response providers, and major technology companies to meet California resource adequacy and renewable portfolio standard compliance obligations.

Renewables proceedings

Representing a variety of energy stakeholders before CPUC with respect to rulemaking addressing the Renewables Portfolio Standard.

Datacenter counsel

Negotiating interconnection agreements, power purchase agreements, substation agreements, metering agreements, and backup power solutions for datacenter owners, managers, and developers.

Wildfire proceedings

Representing investment banks, major communication companies, vegetation management companies, and activist funds with various wildfire-related proceedings before CPUC and Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety.
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Admitted to Practice

  • California, 2006

Education

  • J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 2006
    • President, Student Bar Association
    • Clinic: Harrison Institute for Policy Law
    • Washington Law Reporters Prize
    • Dean's Certificate
    • Pro Bono Award
  • B.A., Political Science, Yale University, 2003
    • Student Body President

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Board member, Bar Association of San Francisco; 2010-2011, 2015-2017, 2020-2023; President, 2023
    • Board member, Justice & Diversity Center, Bar Association of San Francisco; 2012-2014; President, 2023
    • President, Energy Bar Association, Western Chapter
    • President, Conference of California Public Utilities Counsel, 2017-2018; Co-Chair and Co-Founder, Young Utility Lawyers Committee, 2010-2012
    • Board member, South Asian Bar Association of Northern California, 2007-2009 and 2014-2016; President, 2015-2016
    • Board member, South Asian American Justice Collaborative
    • Board member, South Asian Americans Leading Together, 2011-2015, Treasurer, 2014-2015
    • Co-chair, Minority Bar Coalition of Northern California, 2010-2012
    • Board member, Kearny Street Workshop, 2008-2010; President, 2010
    • Board member, Yale Club of San Francisco, 2008-2010; President, 2009-2010
    • Board member, Yale Alumni Nonprofit Alliance, 2015-2017
    • Board member, Randall Museum, 2016-2018
    • Bay Area Advisory Council member, Tahirih Justice Center, 2019-2022

Professional Recognition

    • Named as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" by Chambers USA in Energy: State Regulatory & Litigation (California), 2018-2024
    • Named "Lawyer of the Year" in Energy Regulatory Law (San Francisco), Best Lawyers, 2022
    • Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Energy Law and Utilities Law by Best Lawyers, 2019-present; in Energy Regulatory law, 2020-present
    • Named "Best Under 40" by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), 2021
    • Received "The Edward J. Davis Diversity & Mentorship Award," Davis Wright Tremaine, 2019
    • Mentorship Award, South Asian Bar Association of Northern California, 2017
    • Award of Merit, Bar Association of San Francisco, 2009 and 2012
    • Pro Bono Leadership Award, Legal Services for Children, 2014
    • Unity Award, Minority Bar Coalition, 2016
    • Diversity Award, Barristers Club, 2018

Background

    • Associate, Goodin, MacBride, Squeri, Day & Lamprey, San Francisco, 2006-2009
    • Summer Associate, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, Washington, D.C., 2005
Searching...
California state flag
12.18.24
Insights
California Climate Disclosure:
3 Takeaways From a Discussion With Senator Wiener and Energy Partner Vid Prabhakaran
Read More
11.18.24
Presentations
Panelist, "California ESG and Corporate Climate Disclosure Regulations and the Impact on Corporate Sustainability Efforts," General Counsel Conference East, Marriott Marquis, New York
Powerlines at sunset
11.05.24
Insights
Governor Newsom Weighs in on California Electricity Affordability Crisis Read More
09.25.24
Presentations
Moderator, "Understanding Social Impact: Creating Value, Impact, and Inclusion Through Social Impact," 6th Annual In-House Pro Bono Summit
Publications
06.10.24
News
New Chambers Rankings Affirm Davis Wright Tremaine's National Leadership in Key Industry Sectors Read More
Presentation
06.06.24
Presentations
Guest, "Davis Wright Tremaine & Dentons: Navigating the New ESG Frontier with Vid Prabhakaran & Andrew Shaw," Open Source Sustainability Podcast Read More External Link
05.06.24
Presentations
Panelist, "Give us the Confidentiali-Tea: Spilling G.O. 66-D Insights and Best Practices," California Conference of Public Utilities Counsel Annual Meeting
Publications
05.06.24
News
Vidhya Prabhakaran Named San Francisco Partner-in-Charge at Davis Wright Tremaine Read More
Smoke from smokestacks
04.24.24
Insights
Renewables
Navigating California's New Climate Laws: AB 1305 and Voluntary Carbon Offsets Read More
A factory producing smoke near a forest and river.
04.17.24
Webinars
ESG & Sustainability
"Corporate Climate Disclosures - California and Beyond," Davis Wright Tremaine ESG Initiative and Climate Network Webinar Read More
electric meters
01.25.24
Insights
Can't Get the Utility to Connect You? CPUC to Address California's Backlog of Electric Service Connections Read More
Presentation
01.22.24
Presentations
Guest, "Hsu Untied Interview with Vid Prabhakaran," Hsu Untied Podcast Read More External Link
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