Houston energy industry enforcement expert David Applebaum, a former head of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s division of investigations, has joined Baker Botts, the firm announced on Monday.
Applebaum, the fourth Texas-based lateral partner to join Baker Botts this year, was most recently at Jones Day. He advises clients on proposed wholesale and retail energy market transactions to mitigate enforcement risk from the FERC, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, North American Electric Reliability Corporation, state public utility commissions, antitrust enforcers, and Regional Transmission Organization market monitors.
“David’s proven track record and reputation in the energy sector, coupled with his outstanding relationships across the industry, will further deepen our market-leading energy enforcement and compliance capabilities,” Danny David, managing partner of Baker Botts, said in a statement. “The unique perspective that David has gained through his senior government regulatory experience and in private practice makes him particularly appealing to clients in the energy industry.”
During his tenure with FERC from 2010 to 2016, Applebaum served as deputy director of investigations for five years and director of investigations for 15 months. In this capacity, he managed a 52-person legal office on decisions on opening, conducting, and resolving investigations, settlements, enforcement actions, trials, and electric reliability inquiries. He also led coordination efforts with the CFTC on market manipulation investigations.
Applebaum was also a member of the Office of Enforcement senior management team and was a key advisor to Commissioners’ offices and senior staff on enforcement matters.
After his government service, Applebaum joined Akin Gump in Washington, D.C., where he practiced for nearly three years before moving to Houston to join Jones Day in 2019.