Donald J. Sipe practices with the firm's Energy and Telecommunications Group in Augusta, applying his expertise to helping energy and utilities clients make the transition from regulation to competition. He also serves as Vice Chair of the New England Power Pool (NEPOOL).

Before joining Preti Flaherty in 1997, he worked for eight years as a staff attorney with the Maine Public Utilities Commission, a unique experience that afforded him an insider’s understanding of complex utilities issues from consumer, corporate and governmental points of view. While at the commission, he played a significant role in the development of the "Commissioner’s Draft Report on Restructuring the Electric Industry in Maine."

His primary responsibilities at the commission included natural gas issues, electric utility regulation, special rate-contract litigation, rate design and antitrust matters relevant to electric rate restructuring. He also served as an advocate and advisor in water utility regulation.

He is co-author of an article, published in 1995 in Public Utilities Fortnightly, titled "Guidelines for Granting Industrial 'Distress' Rate Discounts." Don is listed in Woodward/White's The Best Lawyers in America.

He is a 1989 graduate of the University of Maine School of Law, from which he graduated fifth in a class of fifty-three. As a law student, he received several American Jurisprudence Awards in criminal procedure and antitrust while working full time as a gymnastics coach.

He earned his undergraduate degree in philosophy and English in 1985 at Central Washington University, from which he graduated summa cum laude.

A Maine native, he lives with his wife and three sons in Auburn, Maine.

Admissions
Maine

Education
J.D., University of Maine, 1989
B.A., Central Washington State University, 1985