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
    • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® for Administrative / Regulatory Law, Energy Regulatory Law, Natural Resources Law, Utilities Law, and Energy Law, 2007-2024

    • Named "Lawyer of the Year" by The Best Lawyers in America® for Energy Law, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2024

    • Recipient of an AV® Preeminent™ Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
    • Recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers®  2008-2009, 2011-Present
    • 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
    • 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

Latest News and Insights

Publications2.28.24

By the Numbers: Cybercrime in the Energy Sector

With its increasing reliance on digital systems, the energy sector often lacks robust enough…

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Legal Alerts11.13.23

Michigan Passes Sweeping Package of Clean and Renewable Energy Bills

Just before it adjourned for the year, the Michigan Legislature passed a sweeping package of energy…

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Press Releases8.17.23

194 Dykema Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch”

Dykema, a leading national law firm, announced today that 194 of its attorneys, in multiple practice…

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