Richard J. Aaron
Member
One of Rick Aaron’s law partners once called him a “utility rat,” a phrase intended and accepted as high praise.
Rick has devoted his entire legal career to the energy world, serving as outside general counsel and business advisor to utilities and producers as well as transportation, storage, and distribution companies, helping them navigate a unique legal environment and achieve their objectives.
Rick’s clients operate in an increasingly competitive, highly-structured field. Utilities own and employ property for the public good in exchange for the opportunity to earn a return on their investments.
Rick advises them on all fronts: he guides them through stringent regulatory oversight and political scrutiny, offers strategic guidance, litigates disputes in state and federal court and before administrative agencies, and negotiates a broad range of contracts and real estate transactions that enable clients to focus on their businesses and boost their bottom lines.
“I’m not one to ‘overlawyer’ a situation, and clients don’t want that either. When they have problems, they want clear, concise, and well-reasoned advice. That’s what I give them.”
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- Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., summa cum laude, 1983
- Olivet College, B.A., magna cum laude, 1979
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Bar Admissions
- Michigan, 1983
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Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
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Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Administrative / Regulatory Law, Energy Regulatory Law, Natural Resources Law, Utilities Law, and Energy Law, 2007-2024
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Named "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America® for Energy Law, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2024
- Recipient of an AV® Preeminent™ Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
- Recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers® 2008-2009, 2011-Present
- Named a Michigan Leading Lawyer in the areas of Public Utilities: Gas/Water/Electric by the Leading Lawyers Network, 2014 - 2017. Law Bulletin Publishing Company
- Man of the Year, Boys and Girls Club of Lansing, 1990
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- State Bar of Michigan
- American Bar Association
- Ingham County Bar Association
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- Saint Joseph Church, Saint Johns, Michigan
- Kiwanis Club of Lansing
- Knights of Columbus
- East Lansing Cable Communications Commission, Chairperson, 1992-1994
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