James Guy

About James Guy

After practicing law for over 20 years in two global law firms, James founded Deacon Law Group so he could more efficiently serve his energy clients who were hit particularly hard by Winter Storm Uri. DLG sought to help its clients and the communities within which they operated to thrive by helping them overcome legal challenges as they pursued excellence in their businesses and personal lives. His mechanical engineering degree and experience as a production supervisor, quality control manager, and former Partner-in-Charge of the Austin office of a global top-10 law firm allowed him to develop creative, cost-effective solutions while building relationships with and cultivating cooperation among key stakeholders and decisionmakers. In his private practice, James counseled energy clients on a broad range of matters including litigation, regulatory compliance and enforcement, policymaking, and due diligence and counseling for project development and business transactions. James served utilities, power marketers, energy managers, retail electric providers, power generation companies, and energy storage providers, as well as project developers and end-use customers.• Former Partner-in-Charge of the Austin office of Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP in the Energy Group• Former associate with Fulbright & Jaworski LLP (now Norton Rose Fulbright) in the Environmental Section• Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” by The Best Lawyers in America in the area of energy regulatory law (2020)• Recognized by Chambers USA: Guide to Leading Business Lawyers in the area of energy: state r regulatory and litigation (20••••21) • Recognized by The Legal 500 United States in the area of energy: regulatory (2015, 20••••21)• Named to The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of energy law (20••••22) and energy regulatory law (20••••22)As General Counsel and Chief Legal & Compliance Officer of Golden Spread, James currently assists the organization in serving its members consistent with the Seven Cooperative Principles and Golden Spread’s core mission and values.James grew up in south Alabama and west Texas and graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in mechanical engineering. He later graduated from the University of Texas School of Law and, in addition to his work as a lawyer, enjoys discipling youth in extra-curricular activities. James and his wife, Catherine, have six children and, before relocating to Amarillo, lived near Rockne, Texas.

Experience

1. Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, General Counsel

   Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, Inc.

   Jan 2022 — Present · Amarillo, TX, US

   Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, Inc. is a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative organized in 1984 to provide low-cost reliable electric power and energy to its 16 Member cooperatives. Golden Spread’s Members provide electric service to approximately electric meters serving member consumers located in the Panhandle, South Plains and Edwards Plateau regions of Texas, an area covering 24 percent of the Texas land mass, and in the Oklahoma Panhandle, Southwest Kansas and Southern Colorado. With approximately 1,745 MW of owned generation, Golden Spread prides itself on reliably and efficiently meeting Members’ power supply needs with a flexible and diverse generation fleet that can maximize the benefits of participation in both the Southwest Power Pool and Electric Reliability Council of Texas.Our mission: To deliver cost effective, competitive and reliable power to provide a secure energy future for generations to come by creating opportunities, cultivating cooperation and navigating industry risk.Our values: Integrity, Cooperation/Service, RespectCooperative Principles: Voluntary and Open Membership; Democratic Member Control; Members’ Economic Participation; Autonomy and Independence; Education, Training and Information; Cooperation Among Cooperatives; Concern for Community.

Education

• Texas A&M University

  B.S., Mechanical Engineering

  1989 — 1994

• The University of Texas School of Law

  JD, Law

  1997 — 2000

Skills

• Natural Gas Regulation
• Enforcement
• Legal Research
• Utility Regulation
• Due Diligence
• Compliance
• Licensing
• Energy
• Environmental Awareness
• Legal Writing
• Litigation
• Regulations
• Contract Negotiation
• Energy Law
• Environmental Law
• Electric Power Regulation
• Natural Gas
• Administrative Law
• Commercial Litigation
• Renewable Energy