Katherine A. McDowell, Energy Attorney in Portland, Oregon
focused on Energy and Litigation
Portland, OR
Trusted energy attorney serving Portland.
- 3
- Bar admissions
Practices in
Are you Katherine A. McDowell?
This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.
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.
McDowell Rackner Gibson PC
419 Southwest 11th Avenue, Suite 400
Portland, Oregon 97205
Open in Google MapsClient 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.
No reviews yet
Only verified clients who have consulted with Katherine A. McDowell can leave a review.
Schedule your consultationHiring 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
Other top-rated energy attorneys in Oregon
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.





