Robert Goldfin represents major energy industry participants in regulatory and transactional matters, including enforcement proceedings and investigations. He handles Federal Power Act matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). Robert advocates for clients before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and US Court of Federal Claims, and in settlements with the US Department of Energy (DOE) regarding spent nuclear fuel. He also represents clients on national security and international trade matters, including assisting US and foreign entities with notices to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
Robert represents clients in every sector of the energy market, comprising conventional electric, renewable energy, nuclear, oil, and natural gas. He advises clients on rate and tariff proceedings, FERC rulemaking, and compliance with NERC’s mandatory reliability standards. Robert advocates for clients before FERC in settlement and hearing proceedings, and through comments and protests. He also provides regulatory advice on financial transactions, such as acquisitions and lender loans, involving energy assets.
Robert litigates before the US Court of Federal Claims against the US Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding claims for damages in the hundreds of millions arising from the federal government’s breach of its obligation to accept and dispose of spent nuclear fuel. He also settles similar claims for damages with the DOE. In addition, Robert provides counsel on and monitors nuclear utilities’ ability to make withdrawals from their decommissioning trust funds.
A member of the firm’s CFIUS working group, Robert counsels both US and foreign entities on transactions before CFIUS, including transactions involving complex ownership issues. He has successfully assisted clients gain approval by CFIUS for transactions involving critical technologies and infrastructure. He also represents clients on national security and international trade matters related to issues concerning compliance with United States export controls and investigations relating to export controls matters.
Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Robert was an attorney at NERC in both the enforcement and legal departments. At NERC, Robert enforced compliance with the NERC reliability standards through all disposition methods, and provided corporate governance support to the Board of Directors, General Counsel, and Standing Committees. He also trained and oversaw the Regional Entities, and managed the corporation’s legal internship program. Robert graduated from the George Washington University Law School, and obtained his M.B.A. from the George Washington University School of Business with a focus in Global Business.
Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, Energy Law, Washington DC (2023–2025)
Member, Practice Group of the Year, Energy, Law360 (2019)
Member, Law Firm of the Year, Energy/Projects: Power (including Renewables), Chambers USA (2018)
Member, Energy Bar Association
Member, Journal of Energy & Environmental Law