Vidhya Prabhakaran

Practice Areas

At the heart of Vidhya Prabhakaran's practice is his understanding of the regulatory complexities posed by California's shifting energy framework as California attempts to transition to economically viable greener power sources. Vid regularly advocates on behalf of clients throughout the energy sector who envision an efficient and reliable energy marketplace and seek to successfully invest in the reduction of greenhouse gases. Vid has over a decade of experience directing client successes before California regulatory bodies, including the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Energy Commission, the California Air Resources Board, the California Independent System Operator, CalGEM, the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety, and the California DMV, as well as the California Legislature.

Together with the other members of the DWT energy practice group, Vid assists clients with formulating, presenting, and advocating policy positions on procurement, ratemaking, and safety. He counsels clients through regulatory approvals; utility rate and certificate proceedings; acquisitions and dispositions of regulated assets; energy-related contracts; project finance; energy-related dispute resolution; and energy litigation. He represents Powerex Corporation, OhmConnect Inc., Offshore Wind California, the California Solar & Storage Association, the City of Long Beach, Marin Clean Energy, SFPP L.P. (a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan), the San Manuel Band of Cahuilla Indians, and California real estate developers with energy-related issues. He also represents some of the largest technology companies in the world on energy matters and has counseled various private equity and investment banks on their energy investments.

Vid's experience before the CPUC, in particular, allows him to effectively represent clients in the regulated transportation, telecommunications, and water sectors as well. For example, Vid represents Uber Technologies Inc., various autonomous vehicle companies, and Comcast Corporation.

At the Firm, Vid is the incoming chair of the Sustainability Committee and a member of the Share Committee, and has previously served on the Diversity Executive Committee, the Attorney Evaluation Committee, and the Executive Committee.

Professional Memberships

President-elect, Bar Association of San Francisco

President-elect, Justice & Diversity Center, Bar Association of San Francisco

Vice 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 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