Seasoned Nuclear Energy Practitioner Robert Temple Joins Haynes and Boone Energy Practice

May 17, 2010 // Franchising.com // WASHINGTON, D.C. – Energy industry veteran Robert K. Temple has joined the Haynes and Boone, LLP Energy and Power Practice Group as of counsel in the firm's Washington, D.C. office.

Mr. Temple has more than 25 years of experience in the electric utility industry with a particular emphasis on nuclear operations, transactions, development and regulatory matters. His combined experience in both private practice and as in-house counsel to the country's largest municipally-owned electric and gas utility provides a unique perspective spanning the legal and technical sides of the electric and gas utility and nuclear energy businesses.

"The nuclear energy sector is seeing a resurgence as new plants are being constructed again after a thirty year hiatus and many of the energy practitioners with Bob's level of knowledge and experience have since left the practice of law," said San Antonio Energy Partner Diana Liebmann. "Bob has worked on nuclear issues for many years, including current experience in nuclear plant development transactions from engineering, procurement and construction to financing, licensing and related regulatory work. He is perfectly positioned to help clients take advantage of the numerous opportunities arising out of the nuclear renaissance."

Buddy Clark, partner and chair of Haynes and Boone's Energy and Power Practice Group, said new and existing clients will benefit from the expansion of the firm's capabilities across all energy sectors. "We have a significant depth of practice with lawyers dedicated to all sectors of the energy industry, from traditional energy to renewable, clean tech and regulatory matters," Clark said. "Bob's emphasis on nuclear development and transactions, combined with his commercial and business acumen, is a real asset for our clients."

Mr. Temple's experience includes development and construction-related due diligence, purchases and litigation and general business counseling for utility clients. He has also sought domestic and internationally-sourced financing alternatives including through the Department of Energy loan guarantee program for construction of new nuclear power plants.

Mr. Temple also brings practical business experience to power plant development projects, having been involved as a development vice president for a nuclear construction project and formerly licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as a Senior Reactor Operator, a power plant and fuel-handling supervisor and a high voltage switching instructor. Mr. Temple is familiar with the current state of the U.S. nuclear supply chain, contracting for nuclear equipment and fuel sourced from the world-wide supply chain and establishment of U.S. modularization facilities for new nuclear construction.

Mr. Temple was previously the deputy general counsel, secretary to the board, and vice president of nuclear development for City Public Service Board of San Antonio (CPS Energy.) Prior to CPS Energy, Mr. Temple worked as an attorney and senior reactor operator for Commonwealth Edison (Exelon), as an operation instructor for General Electric and as an engineering supervisor in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Sculpin (SSN 590) and the USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705).

Mr. Temple earned his bachelor of science from Southern Illinois University and completed the environmental and energy law program at Chicago-Kent College of Law to earn his juris doctorate.

Haynes and Boone's energy practice takes advantage of its strong foothold in energy-centric Texas markets while maximizing the firm's international reach and cross-border capabilities. With more than 75 full-time lawyers and professionals dedicated to energy matters, the firm was involved in one third of all domestic oil and gas M&A transactions tracked by the Oil and Gas Financial Journal during the thirty-day period from December 15, 2009 through January 15, 2010, with an aggregate value of more than $1 billion.

Haynes and Boone, LLP is an international corporate law firm with offices in Texas, New York, California, Washington, D.C., Mexico City and Moscow, providing a full spectrum of legal services. With almost 550 attorneys, Haynes and Boone is ranked among the largest law firms in the nation by The National Law Journal. The firm has been recognized as one of the "Best Corporate Law Firms in America" (Corporate Board Member Magazine, 2001-2009), as one of "The Best 20 Law Firms to Work For" (Vault.com, 2009), and as a Top 100 law firm for both diversity (MultiCultural Law Magazine, 2009) and women (Women 3.0, 2008).

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