Jim Bertrand is the Chair of Leonard, Street and Deinard’s Energy, Environment and Transportation practice. Jim counsels clients on energy, infrastructure and transportation matters in connection with transactions, litigation and regulatory proceedings. Jim regularly advises developers of power plants and electric transmission lines before state and federal regulators. He also drafts and negotiates development, power purchase, service, supply and license contracts, and manages corporate and business issues for regulated companies and companies that supply services to or purchase services from regulated companies. Jim’s clients include established and start-up energy companies, ranging from regional and national electric and natural gas utilities to independent power producers, developing wind, solar, biomass, clean coal, geothermal and natural gas electric energy projects, independent transmission companies and power marketers. He also advises several companies that provide software products to the electric energy industry. Jim has extensive experience before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on matters involving market rules administered by independent system operators.

Professional and Civic Activities

• Member, Energy Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Minnesota State Bar Association
• Member, Louisiana State Bar Association
• Member, Hennepin County Bar Association
• Board chair, West St. Paul Challenger American Legion Baseball Team
• Member, Tulane University Parents Council
• Member, Tulane University Associates Board
• Former member, Board of Directors, Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities
• Former member, Board of Directors, Helping Paws of Minnesota, Inc.

Education

• J.D., with highest honors, George Washington University Law School, 1987
       Order of the Coif
       Editor, The George Washington Law Review, 1986–1987
• M.B.A., Tulane University, 1983
• B.A., cum laude, Tulane University, 1982

Admissions

• State of Minnesota
• State of Louisiana