Chris Zentz

About Chris Zentz

I am a regulatory and transactional attorney with broad experience in the energy industry.* I represent energy industry clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Bonneville Power Administration, and state and local regulators. I have a wide-ranging electric practice, including providing counsel on transactions, due diligence, corporate transaction authorizations under Section 203 of the Federal Power Act, rate and tariff filings under Section 205 of the Federal Power Act, market-based rate authorizations, and compliance with the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act. I also regularly work on transmission and ancillary service rate cases, Open Access Transmission Tariff compliance and the Standards of Conduct, and transmission planning. My experience includes renewable resource development along with the negotiation of transactions involving power, transmission, and storage resources. I have a strong interest in meeting my clients’ needs efficiently and through a collaborative approach that focuses first-and-foremost on each client\'s business objectives. This interest in achieving successful results for my clients is a result of my entrepreneurial nature, commitment to understanding a client\'s goals and business, and desire to offer practical legal advice tailored to each client\'s individual circumstances.*NOTE - I am admitted to practice in Washington and Oregon only and practicing under the supervision of an active member of the D.C. bar.

Experience

1. Partner

   Akerman LLP

   Jun 2025 — Present

Education

• Seattle University School of Law

  Doctor of Law (J.D.), Law

  2007 — 2010

• University of Washington

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Political Science and Law, Societies, and Justice

  2003 — 2007