Clarence A. West Attorney and Counselor at Law

CLARENCE A. WEST

Clarence has represented municipal interests for over twenty-five years. As a former City Attorney of the City of Houston (1988-1991) he is familiar with both the operational and practical issues of a governmental entity. Since leaving the City of Houston he has represented municipalities throughout the nation.

His practice has focused on municipal legal issues concerning compensation and use of the public rights-of-ways. That includes telecommunication, cable television, gas and electric franchises, and rights-of-way management ordinances. Clarence has an active practice before the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) and at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in this area of law. He has also participated in litigation in both state and federal trial and appellate courts involving rights-of-way compensation.

In 1999 a number of his client cities formed a coalition to participate at the PUCT in the implementation of House Bill 1777 (Chapter 283), regarding telecommunications franchise fees and management of rights-of way issues. That Coalition continues to participate in the various Rulemakings and PUCT projects involving Chapter 283. He also serves as general counsel to a group of cities that have purchased power under the deregulated power market in Texas. Again in 2005, on behalf of the Coalition, Clarence actively participated in the negotiations at the Texas legislature on SB 5, the state-issued cable and video services franchising bill, which added Chapter 66 to the Utilities Code. In 2011 he represented cities at the Texas legislature in the stakeholder negotiations on amendments to Chapter 66. He has appeared numerous times providing testimony as an expert witness on these issues before several Texas legislative committees.

University of Houston, Bates College of Law, 1976; Licensed to practice before state and federal courts, 1977. U.S. Army, 1966-1969. Vietnam 1968-1969.