Judge Michael J. Cianci Jr. served as a United States Administrative Law Judge for 21 years with three different agencies. He served with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for 9 years. In this capacity, he handled numerous complex energy-related cases as a hearing officer and settlement judge. Serving as a neutral mediator and settlement judge, Mike settled approximately 60 cases relating to complex electricity, natural gas, and oil tariff cases. He was the most requested settlement judge during his tenure at FERC. All of his cases at FERC involved complex energy issues and multiple parties and claims. His hearing cases were largely affirmed by the Commission and Courts of Appeal.

Mike is a graduate of the University of Arizona Law School and received his LL.M. degree from the University of Washington Law School, with substantial coursework in environmental law and water law. As an attorney, he participated in numerous ADR and mediation proceedings, both in private practice and as an environmental attorney for the United States Air Force Environmental Law Division. Mike was principally involved as lead counsel settling water rights claims on behalf of Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, in the Las Vegas Water Rights Basin Adjudication. He completed both the ADR and mediation classes at the National Judicial College. Mike additionally served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Arizona in the Insurance Defense Section, Licensing and Regulation Division, and the Natural Resources Division. He represented administrative agencies including several high-profile cases for the Arizona Board of Medical Examiners. Mike was an associate attorney and partner at the prestigious Snell & Wilmer Law Firm and Mariscal, Weeks, McIntyre, and Friedlander Law Firm prior to his appointment to the federal administrative judiciary. He has over 40 years of litigation experience.

In addition to energy, water, and environmental law cases, he has handled employment law, commercial and business law, medical malpractice, disability and health law, and construction law cases. He is licensed to practice law in Arizona and Texas and is admitted to the District Court of Arizona, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Mike is a retired Colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve and Judge Advocate, proudly serving for 30 years. His facilitative philosophy in mediation is to provide parties with the opportunity to control their destiny by crafting their own equitable settlement. During his time at FERC only one case in which he served as settlement judge failed to settle. In addition to mediation services, Mike is available for consultation in Energy, Environmental Law, and Health Law matters. Mike is also available for Administrative Law consultation and on a limited basis administrative defense before State and Federal agencies. Mike is a member of the Association of Attorney Mediators. Mike will hear select arbitration cases.

Mike is an avid sports enthusiast and long-distance runner.