Today, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced the nomination of Patrick Cicero, Esq., a lawyer with extensive experience in utility matters impacting Pennsylvanians, to serve as Pennsylvania’s Consumer Advocate.

“The Office of Consumer Advocate provides critical representation to Pennsylvanians in utility rate cases and helps ensure that our energy marketplace is fair for consumers,” said AG Shapiro. “Patrick Cicero is the right choice to lead this charge for Pennsylvanians, and will continue the Office’s important work of representing consumers, as well as educating and informing them about utility issues across our Commonwealth.”

The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate represents Pennsylvania’s consumers before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, federal regulatory agencies, and state and federal courts. Cicero will serve in an acting capacity beginning today pending confirmation by the Pennsylvania Senate.

Patrick Cicero has nearly two decades of experience in legal aid and representing low-income Pennsylvanians in utility matters. Most recently, he worked as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, overseeing the effort to deliver civil legal aid to low-income Pennsylvanians and victims of domestic violence. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, providing advocacy, training, and representation on utility matters affecting Pennsylvanians.

“I want to thank Attorney General Shapiro for nominating me to be Pennsylvania’s next Consumer Advocate,” said Acting Consumer Advocate Patrick Cicero. “In a time of rising energy prices and continuing economic uncertainty for so many, I am dedicated to the task of ensuring that consumers and their interests are well represented, and that Pennsylvanians can continue to have access to reliable and affordable energy and utility service in their homes.  I look forward to working with the highly skilled staff of the Office of Consumer Advocate, as well as other stakeholders and leaders, including the political branches of government, to ensure that utility rates, rate design, and utility policy work for all Pennsylvanians.”

Attorney General Shapiro and the Office of Consumer Advocate recently advised Pennsylvanians on how to protect themselves against rising costs of heating and electricity during the winter. Consumers can contact the Office of Consumer Advocate toll-free at 800-684-6560 or consumer@paoca.org, or visit their website at www.oca.pa.gov.

Patrick Cicero received his J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law in 2002, and lives with his wife, Helena, their two children, and extended family in Mechanicsburg.