Kara Herrnstein helps drive energy innovation with a focus on new generation and infrastructure development. She advises developers throughout the entire project lifecycle—from securing land access and navigating permitting to structuring financing and supporting ongoing operations. Her work includes pioneering behind-the-meter solutions and other first-of-their-kind projects. Kara also represents a range of energy companies in litigation matters.

Her practice is grounded in a commitment to helping clients build a smarter, more efficient, and inclusive energy market in the Appalachian region.

Before joining the firm, Kara clerked for the Hon. Alan E. Norris on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and for the Hon. Michael H. Watson on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. She also served as a staff attorney for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta.

Education

The Ohio State University, J.D., magna cum laude (2011)
Order of the Coif; Managing Editor, Ohio State Law Journal; Michael E. Moritz Leadership Award and Leadership Scholarship

University of Akron, B.A., summa cum laude (2008)

Distinctions

Listed, LawDragon – Top 500 Energy Attorneys in America (2023–2024)

Listed, The Best Lawyers in America® – Commercial Litigation (2021–2025)

Leadership Class, The Institute for Energy Law (IEL) (2020)

Rising Star, Super Lawyers®, part of Thomson Reuters® – Ohio, Business Litigation (2018, 2020–2021)

Professional Activities

President-Elect, Global Board of Women's Energy Network

Board of Trustees Member, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation

Officer, Institute for Energy Law's Alternative and Renewable Energy Practice Committee

Bricker Graydon Pro-Bono Coordinator

Defended a national consumer lending institution in response to consumer class action lawsuits

Defended a power and electric company in response to CERCLA contribution lawsuits

News

Resource Centers

Blog Posts

Speaking Engagements

Publications

Additional Items

Speaker, "CCUS Litigation Risks," Institute for Energy Law's Energy Litigation Conference. Houston, Texas (2023)

Speaker, "From Community-Building to Buy-In: Before and During Project Development," Women in Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) Annual Leadership Forum. Minneapolis (2023)

Chair, "CCUS Workshop," Energy and Mineral Law Foundation (2023)

Speaker, "Sharing the Surface: Legal and Practical Challenges of Co-locating Energy Assets," 14th Annual Appalachian Energy Conference. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2023)

Speaker, "Introduction to Carbon Capture Storage in Ohio," 38th Annual Ohio Environment, Energy and Resources Law Institute. Columbus, Ohio (2023)

Speaker, "Power from Above and Below: The Accommodation Doctrine and Solar Development," The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law's 68th Annual Natural Resources and Energy Law Institute. Vail, Colorado (2023)

Speaker, "Siting Solar in Coal Country," Energy and Mineral Law Foundation's Fall Symposium. Lexington, Kentucky (2022) 

Speaker, "Siting Solar Projects in Appalachia," Energy and Mineral Law Foundation's Solar Institute. Lexington, Kentucky (2022) 

Co-Chair, "The Renewable Energy Workshop," Institute for Energy Law (2021) 

Speaker, "Utility Scale Solar Development," Ohio State Bar Association. Columbus, Ohio (2021) 

Speaker, "Pitfalls in the Green Transition," Institute for Energy Law Young Energy Professional Conference. Austin, Texas (2021) 

Speaker, "What Oil & Gas Taught Us About Renewables," Energy and Mineral Law Foundation Fall Symposium. Lexington, Kentucky (2021)

Speaker, "A Greener Shale Patch," Law of Shale Plays Conference, Institute for Energy Law (2021)

Speaker, "Let the Sun Shine in Ohio," Women's Energy Network (WEN). Ohio (2021)

Speaker, "Title Issues in the Plays," Law of Shale Plays Conference, Institute for Energy Law (2020)