Atty. Katherine A. McDowell
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.
Profile Summary
About Katherine A. McDowell at a glance
Katherine A. McDowell is a litigation and energy attorney based in Portland, Oregon, practicing at McDowell Rackner Gibson PC. Admitted to practice in Florida, The Florida Bar, Washington, Washington State Bar Association, and Oregon, Oregon State Bar. Educated at Stetson University (J.D., 1989) and The University of Iowa (B.A., 1981). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Energy Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Energy Regulatory Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy) (2026). Serands clients in Portland, OR and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Want to Get Service From This Attorney?
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About
- 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
Practice Areas Explained
Katherine A. McDowell's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Katherine A. McDowell handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Katherine A. McDowell is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Oregon →
Energy attorneys for oil & gas, renewables, utility regulation, and energy sector transactions.
Katherine A. McDowell is one of 36,230 energy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse energy attorneys in Oregon →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Oregon
Practicing law in Oregon. Legal matters in Oregon are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Portland are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Oregon state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Oregon brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Oregon courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Oregon attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Portland or all attorneys in Oregon.
Frequently Asked
Common questions about Katherine A. McDowell
Where is Katherine A. McDowell's law office located?
What practice areas does Katherine A. McDowell handle?
Where did Katherine A. McDowell go to law school?
How can I contact Katherine A. McDowell for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Katherine A. McDowell received?
Practice Areas
Education
Awards
Bar Admissions
Reviews
No reviews yet.