Meet Your Distinguished Faculty

Program Co-Chairs

H. Michael Keller chairs his firm`s Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law Practice Group. He practices environmental and natural resources law with an emphasis on environmental compliance, permitting, and enforcement matters for industrial and natural resource companies, real estate developers, landowners and other clients.

John H. Mabey Jr. specializes in Utah water law and water rights, representing cities and other public water suppliers, irrigation companies, mining and industrial companies, and various business and development interests. He previously served as a Utah Assistant Attorney General, as counsel to the Utah State Engineer and the Utah Division of Water Rights.

Keynote Presenter

Michael R. Styler is a member of the governor`s Cabinet and is administrative leader of a state agency with seven divisions, more than 1,200 employees, and a budget of approximately $83 million. Director Styler also manages the department`s administrative office including the Natural Resources Policy Group and is responsible for coordination and cooperation among the department`s divisions and offices.

Faculty

Walter L. Baker and his division have the responsibility to administer the Federal Clean Water Act and the Utah Water Quality Act. In tandem, these acts serve to protect the quality of Utah`s lakes, streams and groundwater from both point and nonpoint sources of pollution.

Rosemary J. Beless has practiced environmental and natural resources law since 1980, focusing on water rights, water quality, oil and gas, mining, public land, condemnation, and environmental law.  She received the Distinguished Service Award from the Energy, Natural Resources, and Environmental Section of the Utah State Bar and top rankings in Chambers USA Guide to America`s Leading Lawyers and Super Lawyers.

Martin Bushman is an Assistant Attorney General with the Utah Attorney General`s Office in Salt Lake City. He has spent the past 12 years representing the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and advising the Wildlife Board and Fish Health Policy Board.

Steven E. Clyde has specialized in natural resources law, including oil and gas, public land law, and mining law, with a primary emphasis in water law throughout his 34 years of practice. He has represented many clients in the buying and selling of water rights and in the conversion of water rights from agricultural irrigation use to domestic, municipal, and industrial use for development of real property, particularly in the resort areas of Summit County, Utah.

Denise A. Dragoo`s practice focuses on natural resources, coal law, water law, environmental law, mining law, and public land law. She was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America (2006-2010) and in Super Lawyers - Corporate Counsel Edition (2010).

Jason Gipson heads up the Utah/Nevada Regulatory Branch of the US Army Corps of Engineers, administering the Corps` Regulatory Program under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Regulatory Program mission entails protecting with integrity of the nation`s aquatic resources, while at the same time allowing for reasonable development through fair, flexible and balanced permit decisions.

Jodi Hoffman is an attorney in Park City.

Matthew E. Jensen joined his firm in 2006 after serving as a clerk to the Honorable Justice Matthew B. Durrant of the Utah Supreme Court. His practice is focused on natural resources and energy law. He has assisted clients on a wide range of complex natural resource transactions, administrative proceedings, litigation and appeals.

W. Wynn John specializes in volatile organic compound chemistry in groundwater.  He has provided Expert Witness consultation and testimony in civil litigation, and is responsible for environmental site investigations and reporting; remediation system design and cost estimation, air monitoring, construction oversight, SPCC and SWPPP plan preparation.  He has also managed air quality, water resource and soil resource analyses for NEPA projects completed for various governmental and private-sector clients. He has worked on projects throughout the Intermountain West and well as numerous States across the country.

Kent L. Jones was appointed by Governor Huntsman in 2009 to serve as the State Engineer and the Director of the Division of Water Rights. With Senate confirmation and the Oath of Office administered, he assumed the responsibilities of the State Engineer for the general administrative supervision of the waters of the state and the measurement, appropriation, apportionment, and distribution of those waters.

Lisa A. Kirschner`s practice centers on environmental matters, with a focus on compliance with local, state and federal water quality laws and regulations. She has teamed with clients to obtain, comply with and defend permits involving all aspects of water quality regulation, including surface and groundwater discharge, underground injection, municipal water supply and treatment, and wetlands. Ms Kirschner has negotiated favorable settlement agreements on behalf of clients faced with water quality enforcement actions at both the state and federal level. Ms. Kirschner also monitors the constantly evolving maze of state and federal water quality regulations, and helps clients shape those regulations by drafting and submitting comments on their behalf.

Jim Riley is experienced in the resolution of water right conflicts. He wrote decisions for the State Engineer on complex water right issues and managed the largest regional office for the Division of Water Rights. Since 2005, he has owned and managed his engineering company, which focuses on researching water rights, processing water rights, appropriation of water rights by the State Engineer, distribution of water rights and adjudication of water rights.

John A. Snow is a member of his firm`s Litigation Section and Chair of the Construction Law Practice Group. His practice focuses on general civil litigation, including professional malpractice matters. He speaks regularly on legal ethics.

Kent R. Wheeler is a Senior Environmental Scientist and Chief Operations Officer for IHI Environmental.  Mr. Wheeler has expertise lies in the evaluation of environmental issues associated with property transactions.  Issues ranging from "all appropriate inquiry" to the investigation and remediation of environmentally impacted properties under Utah`s Voluntary Cleanup Fund, CERCLA and RCRA. 

CLE INTERNATIONAL Program Attorney Laura Terlisner Mehew, laura@cle.com.