Christopher A. Lewis

Biography

CHIEF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION OFFICER EMERITUS

Christopher Lewis concentrates his practice on energy and public utility law, representing utilities, electric generation suppliers, developers, and others in regulatory proceedings, litigation, and transactional matters.

Chris is the current chairman of the Philadelphia Energy Authority, a member of the board of commissioners for the Delaware River Port Authority, and a trustee on the Council of Trustees of West Chester University of Pennsylvania. He also currently serves as a member of the Federal Judicial Nominating Commission for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which screens candidates for Senators Casey and Toomey in connection with potential appointments to the federal bench.

Chris is a 1975 graduate of Harvard College, B.A. in Government, magna cum laude, and a 1978 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, J.D., magna cum laude. He served in Governor Robert P. Casey’s administration from 1989 to 1991 as secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the agency head for Pennsylvania’s Department of State, and as executive deputy in the Office of General Counsel from 1987 to 1989.

In 2000, Governor Ridge appointed Chris to the Judicial Conduct Board of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the state agency that investigates and prosecutes judges for ethical misconduct. In 2004, Chris served as chair of the Judicial Conduct Board.

In 2008, Chris was selected as an elector for the 2008 Electoral College. He was a member of the National Finance Committee for President Barack Obama, as well as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, pledged to Senator Obama, and elected from the 7th Congressional District in Pennsylvania.

Chris serves as Blank Rome's Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Emeritus and as an emeritus member of our firm's Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

Outside the Firm

Chris is married to Kimberly C. Nesmith, a licensed cosmetologist, and has two children: Hope, a graduate of Wellesley College and a former Peace Corps Volunteer in Rwanda, and Vance, a graduate of Howard University, and a former Teach for America corps member.

Chris’s interests include golf, sailing, scuba, adventure travel, computer programming, Michigan football, and step aerobics. He is a member of the Philadelphia Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Alpha Boule.

Experience

An electric utility, in federal court and AAA arbitration in successful defense of $28.5 million breach of contract claim in connection with termination of outsourcing agreement for AMR electric meters.
A school district, in preliminary injunction proceeding and Commonwealth Court mediation alleging violation of the Sunshine Act.
A publicly traded telecom carrier, before the PA PUC and Commonwealth Court in successful, fully litigated effort to obtain a certificate of public convenience approving merger with another telecom carrier.
A pipeline public utility, before the PA PUC and Commonwealth Court in connection with certificate of public convenience, objections to public utility status, zoning exemptions, tariffs, and eminent domain.
A public utility, in defense of enforcement action brought by PA PUC’s Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, after a contractor struck and damaged a gas main on a construction project.
A pipeline public utility, in connection with safety complaint alleging violation of PHMSA regulations in connection with siting and depth of pipelines
A retailer of electricity, in connection with Office of Attorney General and Office of Consumer Advocate investigations and complaints.
A wholesaler and retailer of electricity, before the PA PUC in connection with utility default service procurement plans, energy efficiency plans, and miscellaneous proceedings.
An asset manager and public pension plan, before the PA PUC in connection with a complaint to halt a proxy solicitation concerning the parent of a regulated utility.