Gordon Erspamer is broadly experienced in resolving complex litigation matters for energy companies including independent power producers, ESPs, and Western utilities. He has extensive experience in handling cases involving PURPA, the FPA, PUHCA, the California Public Utilities Code, and matters involving power and natural gas contracts, transmission, interconnection, renewables (including wind, solar, biomass, cogeneration, and geothermal), deregulation, and the interface between energy and antitrust/unfair business practice law.
In addition to his trial work, Mr. Erspamer has provided strategic advice to a number of clients on energy issues, including electric industry restructuring.
Mr. Erspamer has been lead trial counsel in many jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations. His litigation experience includes the Superior Courts located throughout California, the United States District Courts, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Erspamer is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mr. Erspamer is a former member of the Board of Directors of Swords to Plowshares Veteran's Rights Organization and the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, where he served on the Pro Bono Committee and as Chair of the Judicial Evaluations Committee.
Mr. Erspamer received the 2011 American Lawyer Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award. He was named "Trial Lawyer of the Year" by the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Foundation and has been awarded numerous honors for his pro bono work including the ABA Pro Bono Publico Award, the California Lawyer’s Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award, the National Association of Radiation Survivor's "Justice Award" and the Vietnam Veteran's of America "Dean K. Phillips Memorial Award for Advocacy."
At the University of Michigan Law School, Mr. Erspamer was associate editor of the Michigan Law Review, note editor and member of the Order of the Coif.