Perkins, Susan

Susan Perkins practices energy law with an emphasis on providing legal and energy policy assistance for the development of renewable and sustainable energy resources in Colorado. Ms. Perkins contributes to the formulation of local, state and national renewable energy policies, and represents a wide range of clients who share the common goal of advancing the use of renewable and sustainable energy resources. These clients include municipalities, real estate developers, producers of carbon offsets, and companies involved in distributed and utility-scale solar, wind, biomass and geothermal technologies.

Ms. Perkins has practiced law for over thirty years, working initially with top energy law firms and later with Total Petroleum, Inc., a Fortune 200 independent oil company, in legal and executive management positions of increasing responsibility.

Susan Perkins graduated in 1975 from the University of Houston, Bates College of Law, after which she practiced law with the international law firm of Vinson & Elkins, Houston, Texas. There she worked on large, complex, energy-related transactions. She developed expertise in the areas of oil and gas law, real property, energy and financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate law, and regulatory law practicing before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Texas Railroad Commission. In 1981, Ms. Perkins moved to Colorado to join the Denver office of the Philadelphia-based international law firm of Dechert Price and Rhodes, where she provided expertise in the areas oil and gas transactions and litigation.

In 1983, Ms. Perkins began a successful 17-year career with Total Petroleum and its successors, Ultramar Diamond Shamrock and Valero Energy. She initially served as chief counsel for Total’s exploration and production division, managing both the Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain divisions. After completing an MBA in International Business, Ms. Perkins was asked to lead a newly-formed business development team. In that position, she was awarded Total’s Chairman’s Profitability Award for strategic initiatives that produced millions of dollars for Total. These initiatives included bypass strategies at Total’s refineries, a first-of-its kind international strategic energy alliance, and natural gas take-or-pay lawsuits.

A corporate reorganization in the year 2000 which would have required Ms. Perkins to permanently relocate to Texas provided Susan with the opportunity to start her own law firm. She initially focused on providing a full suite of legal services to entrepreneurs and start-up companies, including corporate organization and structure, contract negotiations, the purchase, sale, leasing, and financing of real estate, the management of intellectual property portfolios, and the creation of exit strategies for businesses, including the sale and purchase of ongoing businesses, and the protection and transfer of assets through estate and trust planning.

After attending a scientific conference in 2006 which warned of the damage to Colorado’s fragile ecosystems if ambient temperatures continue to rise, Ms. Perkins refocused her practice on clients working to develop sustainable and renewable energy resources in Colorado and to reduce the impact of fossil fuels. She represents a diverse group of clients ranging from governmental entities, industry associations, and distributed and utility-scale renewable energy developers. As the area of renewable and sustainable energy law evolves, her expertise continues to grow. Professionally, Ms. Perkins is known for her collaborative style, her willingness to take on challenging projects, and her ability to achieve results.

Ms. Perkins is a leader in the development of innovative energy policies and advocates for distributed generation and local energy autonomy. She is a board member of Clean Energy Action, which has been recognized for its leadership in moving Colorado toward a clean energy economy, and a member of the City of Boulder’s Clean Tech Team, which is working to support Boulder’s new municipal electric utility to achieve its commitment to increased renewable energy, reduced carbon pollution and enhanced energy efficiency. Ms. Perkins is a frequent speaker and lecturer on the subject of renewable energy, including frequent appearances on the Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting Station program "Colorado State of Mind," where she participates in thoughtful, civil discourse on energy-related issues.

Susan Perkins is licensed to practice law in the states of Colorado and Texas. She is a past president of the Colorado Association of Corporate Counsel and of the Aurora Rotary Club, and currently serves as Interact Committee Chair for Rotary District 5450. Ms. Perkins is married to Roberto Ruschena, a native of Italy who is both a talented artist and a patent agent representing Italian clients filing patents at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Together, they have five adult children and two grandchildren. They live in Greenwood Village with their adopted dog "Cash."