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Richard J. Aaron

Member

One of Rick Aaron’s law partners once called him a “utility rat,” a phrase intended and accepted as high praise.

Rick has devoted his entire legal career to the energy world, serving as outside general counsel and business advisor to utilities and producers as well as transportation, storage, and distribution companies, helping them navigate a unique legal environment and achieve their objectives.

Rick’s clients operate in an increasingly competitive, highly-structured field. Utilities own and employ property for the public good in exchange for the opportunity to earn a return on their investments.

Rick advises them on all fronts: he guides them through stringent regulatory oversight and political scrutiny, offers strategic guidance, litigates disputes in state and federal court and before administrative agencies, and negotiates a broad range of contracts and real estate transactions that enable clients to focus on their businesses and boost their bottom lines.

No matter the issue or opportunity, Rick comes to the table prepared to engage. He represents traditional utilities; transmission companies; nuclear, coal, and natural gas producers; bio-mass plants; independent power providers; clean and renewable energy suppliers; cogeneration facilities; pipeline companies; and oil and gas developers.

He is well-known and regarded for his vast industry experience and institutional knowledge of clients’ organizations, although clients also appreciate his sense of humor.

Over the years, Rick has provided practical counsel in hundreds of matters involving rate increase requests, cost recovery, transmission and pipeline siting, securities and financing, tax and accounting, power plant and storage facility development, supply and service agreements, data privacy, landfill gas, solar and fuel cell projects, and hydroelectric generation and dam operations. As the innovations emerge and technology expands, he keeps pace with those changes and their business implications.

Rick enjoys what he does and working alongside talented colleagues at Dykema. Outside the office, he gives back through participation in his church and local civic organizations. As proud as he is of his roles at the firm and in the community, Rick is proudest of his titles of husband and father.

“I’m not one to ‘overlawyer’ a situation, and clients don’t want that either. When they have problems, they want clear, concise, and well-reasoned advice. That’s what I give them.”
    • Thomas M. Cooley Law School, J.D., summa cum laude, 1983
    • Olivet College, B.A., magna cum laude, 1979

  • Bar Admissions

    • Michigan, 1983

  • Court Admissions

    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
    • U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
    • U.S. Supreme Court

    • Named "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America®

      • Natural Resources Law, 2026
      • Energy Regulatory Law, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2024, and 2025

    • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for

      • Administrative/Regulatory Law, 2012-2026
      • Energy Regulatory Law, 2024-2026
      • Natural Resources Law, 2024-2026
      • Utilities Law, 2024-2026
      • Energy Law, 2007-2025

    • Recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers® 2008-2009, 2011-2025

    • Named a Michigan Leading Lawyer in the areas of Public Utilities: Gas/Water/Electric by the Leading Lawyers Network, 2014 - 2017. Law Bulletin Publishing Company
    • Man of the Year, Boys and Girls Club of Lansing, 1990

    • Named a Michigan Leading Lawyer in Energy & Natural Resources (named a Notable practitioner) by Chambers USA, 2025

    • Recipient of an AV®Preeminent™ Rating by Martindale-Hubbell

    • State Bar of Michigan

    • American Bar Association

    • Ingham County Bar Association

    • Saint Joseph Church, Saint Johns, Michigan

    • Kiwanis Club of Lansing

    • Knights of Columbus

    • East Lansing Cable Communications Commission, Chairperson, 1992-1994

Contact

Lansing517-374-9198

Latest News and Insights

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209 Dykema Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 209 of its attorneys, in multiple practice…

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Press Releases8.19.25

53 Dykema Attorneys Named to 2025 Michigan Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 29 of its attorneys from the firm’s…

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Press Releases7.2.25

Dykema Obtains Preliminary Injunction Blocking Mackinac Island Ordinance Regulating Ferry Operators

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that a litigation team from the firm secured a…

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