William Helmer is an attorney in the Environmental and Energy Practices at Hodgson Russ. With more than 40 years of experience in environmental and energy regulation, litigation, contract drafting and negotiation, and power project development, he advises clients on regulatory and governmental policy and practice and helps guide strategic, large-scale project development and compliance efforts.
William’s career spans private practice, senior roles in New York State government, and executive leadership in the energy sector, providing him with a broad and practical perspective on complex regulatory and project-related challenges. He is particularly known for his substantial experience in successfully licensing projects within intricate regulatory landscapes and for his work on major, complex energy and infrastructure projects.
Prior to joining the firm, William practiced law privately for 14 years and served for 12 years as a governmental official. He also spent 14 years as Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Champlain Hudson Power Express, a Blackstone portfolio company, where he handled legal matters for large-scale energy and power transmission projects. Earlier in his career, he led the Environmental Protection Bureau in the New York State Attorney General’s Office, overseeing environmental litigation on behalf of multiple state agencies, and later served as Special Counsel in the New York Power Authority’s Law Department, where he was responsible for legal matters involving nuclear and hydroelectric facilities.
Civic
- Host, Voices of Catholic Radio Hour
Professional
- New York State Bar Association
- Environmental and Energy Practice Section
- Former Chair, General Practice Section
- Adjunct Faculty Member, Union College
- Quarterfinals Judge, National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition
- Co-host, Capital Green Scene
