KA

Katherine A. McDowell, Energy Attorney in Portland, Oregon

focused on Energy and Litigation

Trusted energy attorney serving Portland.

3
Bar admissions

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Quick answer

Katherine A. McDowell is an attorney based in Portland, OREGON. The practice focuses on Energy and Litigation. Currently practicing at McDowell Rackner Gibson PC.

Based in
Portland, OREGON
Experience
attorney
Known for
Energy · Litigation
  • Handles Energy and Litigation matters from Portland, OREGON.
  • Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Energy Law, Portland (OR) (2025).

About Katherine A. McDowell: Katherine A. McDowell is an attorney based in Portland, OREGON. The practice focuses on Energy and Litigation. Currently practicing at McDowell Rackner Gibson PC.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Katherine takes on

Katherine concentrates on energy and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Katherine handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Energy cases in Portland, Oregon

Katherine takes energy matters in Portland, Oregon. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

Litigation cases in Portland, Oregon

Katherine takes litigation matters in Portland, Oregon. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Katherine agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Katherine A. McDowell — energy lawyer in Portland

Katherine A. McDowell is an attorney based in Portland, OREGON. The practice focuses on Energy and Litigation. Currently practicing at McDowell Rackner Gibson PC.

Katherine McDowell is an attorney at McDowell Rackner Gibson PC in Portland, Oregon, where her practice centers on Energy Law and Energy Regulatory Law, with a significant focus on litigation involving regulatory enforcement matters. She advises utilities and energy companies on a broad range of regulatory and administrative law issues, including ratemaking, resource development and acquisition, compliance with environmental mandates, industry restructuring, and utility mergers and acquisitions.

Katherine regularly represents clients before state and federal regulatory bodies throughout the western United States, including commissions in Oregon, Washington, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, and Arizona. Her experience also includes matters before the Bonneville Power Administration and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In addition, she handles litigation and appeals arising from final orders issued by administrative agencies, including Regulatory Enforcement matters involving the SEC, telecommunications, and energy-related issues.

Working with Katherine on a energy matter

Katherine McDowell is an attorney at McDowell Rackner Gibson PC in Portland, Oregon, where her practice centers on Energy Law and Energy Regulatory Law, with a significant focus on litigation involving regulatory enforcement matters. She advises utilities and energy companies on a broad range of regulatory and administrative law issues, including ratemaking, resource development and acquisition,…

Clients Katherine works with

Katherine reviews new inquiries case-by-case for energy and litigation matters in Portland and the surrounding Oregon area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

  • The University of Iowa

    B.A. · 1981

  • Stetson University

    J.D. · 1989

Jurisdictions

Katherine's state bar admissions

  • Florida, The Florida

    ACTIVE

  • Washington, Washingt

    ACTIVE

  • Oregon, Oregon State

    ACTIVE

Katherine studied at B.A. in The University of Iowa and J.D. in Stetson University.

Law school and academic background

Katherine completed B.A. in The University of Iowa and J.D. in Stetson University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Katherine runs in Oregon is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

Katherine has received 16 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Lawyer of the Year — Energy Law, Portland (OR)

    2025

  • Lawyer of the Year — Energy Regulatory Law, Portland (OR)

    2024

  • Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy), Portland (OR)

    2023

  • Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy), Portland (OR)

    2020

  • Lawyer of the Year — Energy Regulatory Law, Portland (OR)

    2019

  • Lawyer of the Year — Energy Law, Portland (OR)

    2018

  • Lawyer of the Year — Energy Regulatory Law, Portland (OR)

    2017

  • Lawyer of the Year — Energy Law, Portland (OR)

    2016

  • Lawyer of the Year — Energy Law, Portland (OR)

    2013

  • Best Lawyers in America — Energy Law

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Energy Regulatory Law

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Public Utility

    2026

Legal awards and honors

Lawyer of the Year — Energy Law, Portland (OR) (2025). Lawyer of the Year — Energy Regulatory Law, Portland (OR) (2024). Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy), Portland (OR) (2023). Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy), Portland (OR) (2020). Lawyer of the Year — Energy Regulatory Law, Portland (OR) (2019). Lawyer of the Year — Energy Law, Portland (OR) (2018).

Locations

Katherine A. McDowell's office in Portland

Katherine's primary office is at 419 Southwest 11th Avenue, Suite 400, Portland, Oregon, 97205. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

McDowell Rackner Gibson PC

419 Southwest 11th Avenue, Suite 400

Portland, Oregon 97205

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Katherine A. McDowell

Katherine has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Katherine A. McDowell — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new energy attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Katherine usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Katherine charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Katherine's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Katherine will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a energy attorney in Portland, Oregon

A short list to run through before you commit: How many energy matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Katherine

Katherine discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in energy practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every energy matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Katherine confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Katherine's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many energy practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Katherine A. McDowell

  • How much does it cost to hire Katherine for a energy case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Katherine walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Katherine offer a free consultation?

    Katherine charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Katherine's office. Some energy attorneys offer free consults — check Katherine's current terms during booking.

  • How long do energy cases in Oregon typically take?

    Simple energy matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Katherine gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Katherine take my case if I'm outside Portland?

    Katherine is licensed in Oregon. Matters governed by Oregon law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Katherine will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Katherine?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Katherine will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Katherine accepting new energy clients right now?

    Katherine's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Energy attorneys serving Portland, Salem and Eugene in Oregon

Katherine handles energy matters throughout Oregon. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified energy attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Katherine's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these energy attorneys in Portland handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.