People

Overview

For more than 25 years, Ann Coffin's practice has focused on the representation of natural gas pipeline, natural gas distribution, electric, water, and telecommunications utilities in matters before the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Her practice encompasses a wide range of administrative areas, including utility rate change applications, gas cost recovery, and proceedings for which transactional approval or CNN authority is sought. She also advises her clients in connection with legislation and regulatory proceedings in Texas and other states.

In addition to holding positions at both the RCT and the Public Utility Commission of Texas, Ann has also successfully represented utility interests before the Texas Supreme Court and other appellate courts.

Ann is consistently recognized by peers as a leader in the state regulatory and litigation fields and by other organizations, including Chambers USA (2011-2026), U.S. News & World Report (2016-2024), and Best Lawyers in America (2011-2027), which recognized her as 2024 Lawyer of the Year for Administrative/Regulatory (Austin).

Admissions & Affiliations

  • State Bar of Texas
  • American Bar Association
  • Austin Bar Association
  • Austin Young Lawyers Association
  • (2000-2003, 2011-2014), Member, State Bar of Texas - Public Utility Law Section
  • President (2013), Executive Committee Member (2013-2017), Texas Utility Lawyers
  • Public Utility Commission of Texas, Director of Enforcement, 1997-1998 Assistant General Counsel, 1995-1997
  • Railroad Commission of Texas, Hearings Examiner, Oil and Gas Division and Transportation Division, 1993-1995

Education

  • J.D., George Washington University Law School 1993
    Moot Court Board
  • B.S., Southern Methodist University 1989

Experience

  • Lead counsel in applications for transactional/public interest approval before the Public Utility Commission of Texas and Railroad Commission of Texas
  • Lead counsel for electric transmission and distribution utility, Texas natural gas local distribution utilities, and Texas intrastate, natural gas transmission pipeline utility in numerous administrative appeals in the Travis County District Courts
  • Lead counsel for Texas electric transmission and distribution utility, transmission-only utility, and electric cooperative in connection with rate and licensing filings before the Public Utility Commission of Texas
  • Lead counsel for Class A water utility in connection with its 2025 system-wide rate filing before the Public Utility Commission of Texas
  • Lead counsel for one of the country's largest natural gas only distributors in rate proceedings and other matters before the Railroad Commission of Texas
  • Lead counsel for Texas intrastate, natural gas transmission pipeline company in connection with matters before the Railroad Commission of Texas
  • Lead counsel in gas cost recovery and subsequent securitization resulting in the client’s recovery of more than $2 billion dollars in extraordinary natural gas costs incurred in connection with the 2021 Winter Storm Uri.
  • Successful 2011 Texas Supreme Court case involving Atmos Energy Corporation, CenterPoint Energy and Texas Gas Service Company
  • Successful 2011 Third Court of Appeals case involving administrative agency adoption of alternative rate adjustment mechanism
  • Lead counsel in successful defense of natural gas local distribution company in connection with Railroad Commission of Texas' prudence review of approximately $40 million in natural gas purchases
  • Routinely represents and advises clients in rulemaking and compliance-related proceedings, as well as legislative initiatives

Awards and Community

Included by Chambers USA as a Leader in their Field, Energy: State Regulatory & Litigation (16-year ranking, Oil & Gas-Texas); (10-year ranking, Electricity-Texas) and Chambers USA "Leading Lawyers for Business," 2011-2026

Best Lawyers, "Lawyer of the Year – Administrative/Regulatory (Austin)," 2024

Selected for inclusion by Thomson Reuters in Texas Super Lawyers, 2010-2025

Listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the fields of Administrative/Regulatory Law and Energy and Energy Regulatory Law, 2016-2027

Lawyer Monthly Women in Law Award Winner 2014-2022

Listed in Expert Guides "Best of the Best USA" for Energy and Natural Resources Lawyers, 2011-2017, 2020-2022

Chambers USA Women in Law Awards 2013, Energy & Projects Lawyer of the Year Nominee