Overview

Meghan heads the firm’s Energy, Water, and Utility Law practice and is a renowned industry leader in the electric, renewable energy, natural gas, water, telecommunications, and other innovative technologies sectors. Her clients value the unique blend of her legal acumen with the substantive utility business knowledge that she developed serving for years as both Associate General Counsel of Regulatory and then as head of the revenue requirement and rate design departments for Arizona’s largest investor-owned electric utility.

Meghan plays an influential part in the southwest energy and water scene and has been recognized as an industry leader by both her peers and professional organizations. She has been personally featured in Attorney at Law Magazine and was named among the “Most Influential Women” by AZ Business Magazine in 2021. In 2022 she was named Energy Law Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers®

At Osborn Maledon, Meghan represents energy, water, wastewater, and natural gas companies in their transactional and regulatory matters, including expansion of service areas, rate cases, financing applications, negotiation of various extension and service agreements, plant and service territories acquisitions and divestitures, renewable energy and transmission projects (including approvals and development), and appeals from adverse administrative and public utility commission decisions. She represents telecommunications and technology clients, including cable and telecommunication providers, in contract negotiations and legislative activities with state and local governments. She has also represented large industrial and commercial users of electric services in commercial proceedings and negotiations.

Meghan regularly represents parties in power plant and line siting proceedings, as well as policy dockets and rulemakings at the Arizona Corporation Commission. She also represents entities in condemnation matters, and several clients depend on Meghan as outside general counsel. In this regard, she provides legal and strategic advice on a range of corporate issues. 

As an involved member of the Arizona community, Meghan has a long history of engaging in various organizations and foundations, including performing and singing in many community theater productions and benefit concerts, in addition to her position on several boards and executive committees. She also teaches a course on Utility Law and Regulation at her alma mater, Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, where she was first in her class, graduating summa cum laude and Order of the Coif.

Before entering private practice, Meghan was a judicial clerk for Judge Barry Silverman on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and for Justice Andrew Hurwitz of the Arizona Supreme Court.

Awards

  • Lawdragon, 500 Leading U.S. Energy Lawyer, 2024
  • Lawdragon, 500 Leading U.S. Energy Lawyer, 2023
  • Southwest Super Lawyers, Utility Law, 2022-2023
  • Best Lawyers®, Energy Law, 2018-2024
  • Best Lawyers®, Energy Law Lawyer of the Year, 2022, 2024
  • AZ Business Magazine, Most Influential Women in Arizona Business, 2021
  • Edison Electric Institute’s “Tony Anthony Member Unity Award,” 2014
  • Anam Cara Award from Arizona Irish Community, 2013
  • Phoenix Business Journal, “Forty Under 40,” 2011
  • Best Performing Actress in a Non-Equity Production,” AriZoni Award, 2001

Activities

Professional Activities

  • Adjunct Professor of Utility Law and Regulation, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law
  • State Bar of Arizona Administrative Law Committee, Chair 2021-Present
  • Western Chapter of the Energy Bar Association, Board of Directors, 2019-Present
  • Harvard Electric Policy Group, 2012-Present
  • Arizona Women Lawyers Association, Member
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Fellow, 2017
  • Edison Electric Institute, Energy Advisory Committees, 2012-2015
  • Judge Learned Hand Award Selection Committee, 2015
  • Energy Bar Association, Member, 2007-Present
  • Horace Rumpole Inn of Court, Secretary, 2002-2006

Community Activities

  • Irish Cultural Learning Foundation, Board of Trustees, 2021 
  • Fresh Start Women’s Foundation Executive Board: Gala Chair and Executive Committee 2014-Present; Member 2013-2019
  • Pinnacle West Political Action Committee Board Chair 2013-2015; Member, 2011-2015
  • APS Foundation Board, Member, 2015
  • United Blood Services Community Leadership Counsel, Member 2012-2015
  • Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Board Member 2009-2013, Fundraising Chair 2013
  • Ballet Arizona, Board Member, 2009-2010
  • Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation, Board Member, 2003-2007
  • Sang National Anthem at Phoenix Suns Game, February 2011

Insights

Publications

Presentations

  • Speaker, “Access to and Management of Arizona’s Number One Resource: Water,” presented by the State Bar of Arizona’s Administrative Law Section (April 29, 2021)
  • Moderator, 2020 ACC Candidate Debate: Sponsored by WUAA, Arizona Energy Policy Group & Osborn Maledon, (October 1, 2020)
  • Presenter, “Ethical Considerations for Energy Industry Participants,” 2020 Western Chapter of the Energy Bar Association (February 28, 2020)
  • Moderator, 2018 ACC Candidate Debate: Sponsored by WUAA, Arizona Energy Policy Group & Osborn Maledon
  • Panel Participant, “Residential Demand Charges: An Economic Necessity or Political Fatality,” Harvard Electric Policy Group (June 2015)
  • Panel Participant, “The End of the Grid? The Future of the Regulated Utility Model”, SNL Energy 28th Annual Power and Gas M&A Symposium (February 2015)
  • Panel Participant, “Residential Demand Charges,” Western Conference of Public Utility Commissioner (May 2015)
  • Speaker, “Regulatory Complications and Collaborations,” 2nd Annual Western Power Summit (November 2015)
  • Speaker, “Net Metering in Arizona,” Nuclear Bar Association Meeting (June 2014)
  • Speaker, “Net Metering in Arizona,” Edison Electric Institute (June 2014)