Described by clients as “very smart, meticulous, service-oriented,” David is a Chambers-ranked energy attorney and co-leader of the firm’s national Energy Industry team.
— Crain's Cleveland Business
David Proaño co-leads the firm’s national Energy Industry team, representing clients across the nation in the utility and energy industries. Ranked Band 1 by Chambers in Energy and Natural Resources in Ohio, David focuses his practice on utility matters, rate-making, regulatory compliance, commission investigations, retail and wholesale energy contracts, commercial disputes and business issues in the utility and energy sectors, and has years of experience with multiple facets of the energy industry. He routinely appears and practices before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) on utility, rate-making, regulatory and litigated matters, including representing natural gas companies in utility matters, representing energy trade associations in rate-making matters and serving as lead defense counsel in several major PUCO investigations of certified retail energy suppliers.
David also represents energy brokers and large commercial and industrial energy consumers on contractual, regulatory and business issues, and serves as lead regulatory counsel for a major energy trade association and outside general counsel for a major energy broker. He also advises and represents large data centers and similar energy-intensive industries on utility issues, rate matters and energy contracts. David combines candid advice, strong writing skills and powerful advocacy to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients.
David’s experience includes advocating for clients before federal and state trial and appellate courts, bankruptcy courts and arbitration panels, and he has a proven track record representing clients on major matters involving a wide range of commercial disputes.
In addition to an active regulatory and litigation practice, David devotes considerable time and effort within the Cleveland community and representing pro bono clients. He served as the president of the board of directors of Esperanza, a nonprofit organization that supports Hispanic educational achievement through scholarships and mentoring. David is also committed to the advancement of inclusion and diversity at BakerHostetler and in the legal profession, and to that end serves on the firm’s Diversity Council and Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Crain’s Cleveland Business recognized David as one of its “Forty Under 40” for his professional accomplishments and community service. David was born in Quito, Ecuador, served in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic and is conversant in Spanish.