Mark C. Bender

Meet Mark

Mark Bender is a member of Godfrey & Kahn’s Energy, Tribal Governments, ESG and Political Law practices in the Madison office. Mark assists clients with a wide range of energy and regulatory issues, including project development, finance, and permitting. Mark’s regulatory practice includes advising clients on a wide array of matters and issues before local, state and federal government agencies.

Mark works with a wide variety of clients, including developers, businesses, governments, tribes and tribal entities on a number of energy related issues. Mark’s work includes the development and finance of clean energy and energy storage projects throughout the country, including combining tax credit financing with grant and other funding sources and incentives; assistance with tribal energy projects, including strategies to combine federal grants available to tribes with tax credit financing and other financial incentives to cost-effectively develop renewable and other energy projects for tribal governmental buildings, casinos, homes and other facilities; development of tribal energy codes; development and negotiation of power purchase agreements (PPAs), and purchases, sales, and leases of energy facilities; and participation in regulatory proceedings. Mark also regularly assists clients with energy project siting, permitting, and approvals for energy and infrastructure projects, including Certificates of Authority and Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW), transmission and distribution facility right-of-way matters, including tribal taxation and assessment of electric and energy product facilities.

Mark’s regulatory work includes development and implementation of public infrastructure projects, including drinking water and lead service line replacements, assisting clients prepare federal and other grants and funding requests and ensure ongoing compliance, assist with local, state and federal procurement, and provide advice on legislative planning, analysis, and drafting for business and industry groups.

Prior to joining Godfrey & Kahn, Mark worked for more than a decade in Wisconsin state politics and government, gaining first-hand knowledge of the legislative and administrative processes. Most recently, Mark served as the chief advisor to a Commissioner at the PSCW, where he was involved at the highest level of state energy and utility regulation and developed strong relationships in the regulatory, energy, and environmental sectors. Mark provided strategic policy, political, and legal advice in construction and acquisition dockets, rate cases, and settlements that came before the PSCW, as well as developing experience with complex and emerging questions in energy policy, administrative law, local permitting, and many other issues. Mark was also deeply involved with interregional electric transmission issues, regional energy markets, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), and the Organization of MISO States (OMS).

Mark’s experience in government also includes work in two administrations and senior advisor roles in the State Legislature. Mark has developed relationships with policymakers, influential organizations, and high-ranking state officials and worked on legislation, administrative rules, and state budget issues. Mark’s work within a trade association also provides first-hand experience with the unique needs and dynamics of member-driven organizations.

In addition to his law degree, Mark holds a certificate from the UW-Madison La Follette School of Public Affairs and has completed numerous energy-related trainings and coursework, including Rate School through the New Mexico State University Center for Public Utilities.