Jon N. Bonsall is a partner in Keegan Werlin's governmental and legislative relations practice. Mr. Bonsall's practice concentration is in the areas of governmental relations, legislative advocacy, and regulatory and public utility law. A registered lobbyist in the Commonwealth for over twenty years, Mr. Bonsall has represented clients before the Massachusetts Legislature and the Executive Branch on a broad range of issues including taxes, environmental regulation, utility restructuring, energy policy, procurement and finance. In addition, he has performed regulatory and permitting due diligence reviews for asset acquisitions of nuclear, oil and coal-fired electric generating facilities.

Mr. Bonsall has also represented a significant number of energy project developers at all levels of government local, state and federal. These projects have included natural gas- and coal-fired electric generating facilities, electric transmission lines, and interstate and intrastate natural gas pipelines. During the course of these projects, Mr. Bonsall has structured and implemented a government relations strategy that is designed to support a project's overall permitting efforts. The implementation of that strategy has encompassed representation before such entities as the Massachusetts Legislature, state regulatory bodies, the Congressional delegation, municipal elected bodies and local Conservation Commissions.

Mr. Bonsall was elected Chair of the State Capital Global Law Firm Group (the State Capital Group) for the 2005-2006 term. An association of approximately 130 independent law firms, State Capital Group members are located in all 50 U.S. state capitals and in business markets and financial centers around the world Europe, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Africa and the Middle East. The legal services provided by member firms range from standard business issues to complex transactions. Member firm attorneys work with leading and growing companies in every industry from software and pharmaceuticals to energy and transportation. The State Capital Group provides an effective resource for identifying local counsel worldwide. Keegan Werlin is the exclusive Massachusetts member of the State Capital Group.

Before joining the firm in 1989, Mr. Bonsall served as State Director-Government Relations for AT&T. Previously, he served as Chairman of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities. Mr. Bonsall also worked for the House Leadership in the Massachusetts Legislature for over nine years prior to his term at the Department. Prior to receiving his Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School, Mr. Bonsall completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from Holy Cross College.

Mr. Bonsall is admitted to practice before the bars of Massachusetts and the United States District Court.

AREAS OF PRACTICE
Government Relations & Lobbying

Public Utilities Regulation

BAR ADMISSIONS
Massachusetts, 1973
U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, 1974

EDUCATION
Boston College Law School, Boston, Massachusetts, 1973, J.D.

Holy Cross College, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1970
B.A., History

PUBLISHED WORKS
50 State Handbook: Lobbying, PAC's and Campaign Finance, 1994-1999, West Publishing Company

CLASSES/SEMINARS TAUGHT
Speaker, energy, electric industry restructuring and gas unbundling, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, 1994 - Present

HONORS AWARDS
Who's Who in American Law, 4th and 6th editions
Best Lawyers in America


PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
Associated Industries of MA, 1991 - Present
Chairman, Energy Committee

Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, 1987 - 1993
Member, Board of Directors

New England Sports Museum, 1979 - Present Member, Board of Directors

PAST EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS

AT&T, State Director-Government Relations, 1983 - 1989
Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, Chairman, 1981 - 1983
Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities, Commissioner, 1979 - 1981
Massachusetts House of Representatives, Legal Counsel, 1973 - 1979

Keegan Werlin LLP is the Massachusetts representative to the State Capital Group. State Capital Group is a seamless global network of more than 140 of the profession’s preeminent independent law firms. By uniting their skills, expertise and influence, the member firms help leading and growing companies in every industry navigate a complex and ever-changing legal landscape. With local and regional experts across the globe, the independent member firms capitalize on the strength and effectiveness of the State Capital Group network to help their clients solve today’s toughest business challenges.