James A. Orr

James A. Orr

Partner
Atlanta, United States
+1 404 853 8578

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James provides strategic responses for his clients in energy litigation matters across the country. 

He has a long history of representing electric cooperatives, independent power producers, electric utilities, oil and gas producers, liquefied natural gas (LNG) companies, and other energy-related companies.

With more than 35 years of experience in energy litigation, James defends and prosecutes cases in a variety of judicial and regulatory proceedings at both the state and federal level.

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September 07, 2023

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  • Defended electric utilities in a successful antitrust challenge to the electric industry structure in Georgia.
  • Represented electric utilities in several cases against municipalities involving the assessment of franchise fees and occupation taxes.
  • Represented an electric transmission utility in a successful challenge to a governmental ban on certain types of transmission lines.
  • Defended an electric utility in a personal injury lawsuit alleging that electromagnetic fields from power lines cause cancer.
  • Represented energy clients in government contract disputes involving competitive bidding laws.
  • Defended an independent power producer in a noise pollution nuisance case.
  • Represented an independent power producer in a contract dispute involving a co-generation facility.
  • Defended an LNG importer in claims by local distribution companies that the LNG caused safety concerns to the local distribution company system.
  • Defended a utility in a case challenging incentive-based practices used by electric utilities.
  • Defended an electric utility in a stranded cost case before the Federal Electric Regulatory Commission.
  • Represented electric cooperatives in more than 20 trials involving territorial integrity disputes.
  • Obtained an arbitration award of more than $4 million arising from the misappropriation of scrap metal.
  • Represented an electric generation cooperative in a suit by property owners that was voluntarily dismissed, alleging personal injuries and property damage arising from emissions from nearby power plant
  • Represented electric cooperatives in lawsuit to enforce rental and operational terms under a joint-use agreement.
  • Won dismissal of lawsuits by distribution cooperatives against two electric generation and transmission cooperatives seeking early termination of wholesale power contracts and withdrawal from membership.
  • Defended electric utility in multi-billion dollar class action lawsuit arising from abandonment of nuclear power plant project.
  • Represented G&T in litigation regarding renewal/appraisal terms in sale-leaseback arrangement.
  • Represented electric cooperative in successful antitrust challenge to municipality's tying arrangement.
  • Won dismissal of class action lawsuit against PA cooperative demanding distribution of patronage capital.
  • Defended an independent power producer in a nuisance case by neighboring landowners alleging noise and vibration from power plant.
  • Defended electric utility in lawsuit by neighboring landowners alleging that emissions from power plant contaminated air and groundwater.
  • Recognized by The Legal 500 United States in the area of general commercial disputes (2025)
  • Recognized by Chambers USA: Guide to Leading Business Lawyers in the area of energy (2017-2024) and energy and natural resources (2025)
  • Named to Best Lawyers in the area of energy law (2012-2026)
  • Recognized as a Top Author as part of JD Supra’s Readers’ Choice Awards for thought leadership in the utilities sector (2016)
  • Selected for inclusion in Georgia Super Lawyers® (2004-2010)
  • Georgia
  • North Carolina
  • Appellate Courts Georgia
  • Trial Courts Georgia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • B.A., summa cum laude, University of Georgia
  • J.D., cum laude, University of Georgia School of Law,

    Comments Editor, University of Georgia Law Review

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James Orr

Partner

+1 404 853 8578
James Orr

Partner

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