Introduction
Jessica is an accomplished energy regulatory lawyer, helping clients navigate evolving electricity markets, transmission development, and the regulatory challenges of critical infrastructure.
With more than 20 years of experience in private practice as a senior in-house attorney at the nation’s largest grid operator and at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Jessica Lynch advises clients on federal energy regulation, transmission planning and development, wholesale electricity markets, and cost allocation. Her experience includes competitive transmission development, regional and interregional planning, and addressing the transmission needs of data centers and other large electric loads.
Before joining Ashurst Perkins Coie, Jessica served as a senior in-house attorney at PJM Interconnection (PJM), where she advised on some of the most consequential transmission planning and development issues in the country. She led PJM’s legal strategy for its competitive transmission process under FERC Order No. 1000, including the solicitation, evaluation, and selection of approximately $22 billion in projects since 2021. She also led legal work on PJM’s implementation of long-term transmission planning under FERC Order No. 1920 and on state-sponsored transmission initiatives, including the development and subsequent wind-down of a major offshore wind transmission portfolio.
Jessica brings firsthand knowledge of how grid operators, utilities, developers, regulators, and customers address the legal and commercial questions that arise when new generation and large electric loads require substantial transmission investment.
Jessica has represented clients in contested regulatory and appellate proceedings, FERC enforcement investigations, federal rulemakings, and transmission cost allocation disputes. Her transactional and project development work has included negotiating commercial and regulatory agreements, advising on acquisitions and financings involving generation and transmission assets, and obtaining approvals under the Federal Power Act.
Before PJM, Jessica spent more than a decade in private practice representing transmission owners, electric utilities, generation and transmission developers, public power entities, financial institutions, and other energy market participants. She also served as an attorney in FERC’s Office of Administrative Law Judges, gaining an agency perspective that complements her experience in private practice and as in-house counsel.
Areas of focus
Education & credentials
- University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., 2005
- University of Pittsburgh, B.A., Anthropology, Sociology, 2002
- District of Columbia
- Pennsylvania
- PJM Interconnection, L.L.C., Audubon, PA, Senior Counsel – Transmission Planning, 2021; Assistant General Counsel – Transmission Planning, 2021-2023; Associate General Counsel – Transmission Planning, 2023-2026
- Troutman Sanders LLP k/n/a Troutman Pepper Locke LLP, Washington, D.C., Of Counsel – Energy, Capital Projects and Infrastructure Group, 2017-2020
- Dentons US LLP, Washington, D.C., Senior Managing Associate – Energy Group, 2010-2014; Counsel – Energy Group, 2014-2017
- White & Case LLP, Washington, D.C., Associate – Energy Regulatory Group, 2007-2010
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C., Law Clerk, Attorney Advisor to Two Administrative Law Judges, 2005-2007