The Ingram Group Hires Former Energy Counsel Bill Cooper
The Nashville firm adds federal energy expertise to assist clients with infrastructure policy and regulatory strategy.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in People
Nashville-based lobbying and consulting firm The Ingram Group has hired former U.S. Department of Energy general counsel Bill Cooper. Cooper joins the firm to bolster its state and federal practice by advising clients on energy, infrastructure, and regulatory strategy.
Why it matters
The addition of a former top energy legal official signals a strategic move for Nashville firms to deepen their bench in highly regulated federal sectors. This hire positions the firm to better navigate the complexities of government and public affairs for clients managing energy and infrastructure projects.
The hiring of one senior counsel adds to the firm's existing bench, though the specific financial terms of the engagement remain undisclosed. The move reflects a broader focus on expanding the firm's capacity within its core state and federal practice groups.
The players
The Ingram Group
A Nashville-based lobbying and consulting firm that assists businesses and entities with government affairs and regulatory strategy.
Bill Cooper
A former general counsel with the U.S. Department of Energy and a Tennessee native with expertise in federal energy and infrastructure policy.
The details
Cooper, a Tennessee native, will leverage his background as a former U.S. Department of Energy general counsel to provide high-level regulatory strategy. He will specifically assist clients with navigating federal policy and public affairs as they relate to national energy and infrastructure mandates. The move integrates his federal experience directly into the firm's operational structure, allowing it to offer more specialized counsel on regulatory hurdles.
Timeline
The Ingram Group announced the hiring during the week of October 16, 2026.
Market Landscape
The hiring of a former federal general counsel aligns with an industry-wide trend of lobbying firms scaling to meet the complex regulatory demands posed by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This expansion marks a strategic shift to capture business from operators seeking federal compliance and policy guidance.
Operators in the energy and infrastructure sectors should monitor whether this hiring signals a shift in the local firm's policy priorities or lobbying focus. Businesses involved in government-facing projects should evaluate if their current counsel has the technical federal depth necessary for upcoming regulatory filings.
The takeaway
Firms are increasingly prioritizing deep federal regulatory expertise to navigate the implementation of complex national infrastructure and energy policies. Operators should track how the firm’s expanded practice influences the regulatory outcomes of their regional projects over the coming fiscal year.
Further reading
For more on shifts in the local leadership landscape, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nashville Post.
