K.C. Hairston | Energy | Balch & Bingham LLP

Education

Cumberland School of Law

J.D., 2001
Auburn University

B.S., Industrial Engineering, 1998

Bar Admissions

Alabama, 2001

What types of clients do you represent?

K.C. routinely provides counsel to traditional utilities, independent power producers (merchant plants) and Energy Service Companies (ESCOs).
What type of matters do you work on most often?

Since 2001, K.C. has served as a general practitioner for the electric utility industry, representing companies across the United States in all stages of their power generation business. K.C.’s broad experience includes providing legal and regulatory support for purchasing or constructing new power plants, operating power plants, buying and selling power to the market, regulatory compliance, internal and external investigations, litigation, legislation, derivatives trading, developing hedging strategies, and general day-to-day legal/regulatory issues.
Which courts or agencies do you most often appear before on behalf of your clients?

K.C. works with CFTC, EIA, FERC, NERC, and NRC staff on a regular basis to better clarify and understand compliance issues for the industry.

Select Matters

Power Purchase/Sale Contracts - has negotiated and drafted numerous power purchase and sale contracts for utilities, including the WSPP and EEI master agreements.
FERC Compliance Issues - Has substantial experience in advising utilities across the United States on compliance with FERC rulemakings and initiatives. In this regard, works with FERC staff on a regular basis to better understand compliance issues and conducts onsite mock audits.
NERC Compliance Issues - Has participated in the development of NERC’s Reliability Standards, works with clients on NERC and Regional Entity compliance issues, and has coordinated internal onsite pre-audit reviews.
NRC Compliance Issues - Routinely provides counsel to utilities and individuals on NRC compliance issues, internal nuclear plant concerns, Safety Conscious Work Environment (SCWE) issues and has represented numerous individuals and companies through NRC OI investigations.
CFTC Compliance Issues - Routinely provides counsel to utilities on CFTC compliance issues, Dodd-Frank training and implementation, and swap transactions.
Nuclear Plant Safety and Security - Has drafted internal company policies and advised clients on issues relating to nuclear safety and security and has also drafted approved legislation relating to nuclear safety and security.
Energy-Related Litigation - Has advised and represented several clients through the litigation process, and in this regard, has also represented clients before the United States Court of Federal Claims.
Power Plant Siting - Has advised clients on numerous power plant siting issues, including local moratoriums, state environmental laws, fees and current state applicants.

News

Speaking Engagements

Credentials

Education

Cumberland School of Law, J.D., 2001
Auburn University, B.S., Industrial Engineering, 1998

Bar Admissions

Alabama, 2001

Awards & Accolades

The Best Lawyers in America^®, Energy Law, 2025