Orrie has over seven years of experience in the energy industry. Prior to joining Michael Best, Orrie served as the lead staff attorney at a Wisconsin renewable energy nonprofit where he supported clean energy infrastructure development. He advised management on regulatory and organizational risks, developed legal strategies, and represented the organization in regulatory proceedings before the Wisconsin Public Service Commission and state court proceedings. Orrie’s role also involved analyzing legal and regulatory implications of emerging energy technologies and regulations with business partners, legislative authors, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
Earlier, Orrie was an attorney advisor to four administrative law judges at FERC in Washington, D.C. At FERC, Orrie focused on FERC procedures, electric, gas, and oil regulatory issues, and rate design. His work included authoring orders, supporting initial decisions on regulatory issues, and managing hearings and settlements.
Before becoming an attorney, Orrie was a manufacturing and compliance professional at an international producer of sustainable fuels. Orrie helped develop and implement compliance programs for several sustainable fuel and supply chain regulatory credit schemes. He designed transactions to take advantage of various incentives, like the Renewable Fuel Standard RIN, California and Oregon Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and other international standards. He also helped navigate the first wave of America First tariffs, including classifying products in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, and designing compliance controls programs to ensure adequate import/export controls and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance.
Orrie maintains an active record of community engagement. During law school, he helped found the University of Wisconsin’s Eviction Defense Clinic, and successfully represented numerous clients in employment and housing matters in state appellate court, circuit court, and administrative proceedings. He also worked with the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission to expand supervised attorney practice in Wisconsin.