John Masterson
Shareholder
159 N. Wolcott Street, Suite 220
Casper, WY 82601
307-234-6907 Main
Licensed in Wyoming
Overview
John Masterson’s 38-year career spans the breadth of Wyoming’s legal and community service. His expertise and judgment are and have been relied upon by the state, its governors, local and national businesses, nonprofit organizations, as well as his private clients. His diverse practice includes litigation, government relations, transactional work, and strategic counsel for government, public and private corporations, nonprofits, and individuals.
John began his legal career after graduating from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1986. He spent 16 years in criminal law, serving as a public defender, Assistant District Attorney, and Assistant U.S. Attorney. Over that time, he investigated and prosecuted matters ranging from traffic violations to drug conspiracies, bank robberies to wildlife crimes, domestic violence, and sexual assault to homicides. He is particularly proud to have helped establish the U.S. Attorney’s office’s efforts to combat computer crime and online child exploitation.
In 2003, John was tapped to be legal counsel to Governor Dave Freudenthal, advising on policy development, legislative initiatives, and managing key state programs. He also served as the Governor’s representative for state, regional, and national organizations, including the Western Governors Association, the National Governors Association, and the University of Wyoming Board of Trustees. In the final months of his state service, he was Deputy Director of the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments, playing a pivotal role in overseeing millions of acres of state lands and minerals, and culminating with the analysis, negotiation, drafting, and closing of a landmark state land transaction.
John reentered private practice by returning to his hometown of Casper and joining with former Wyoming Governor and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Mike Sullivan. With Governor Sullivan’s retirement in 2016, John joined Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley, P.C., where he has successfully represented large and small clients in commercial and complex litigation, state and local regulatory and permitting matters, and business and estate planning. His extensive trial experience includes both state and federal courts, with appellate work before the Wyoming Supreme Court and Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Beyond his legal practice, John remains deeply involved in his community. He serves on several nonprofit boards and was appointed by Governor Gordon to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission in 2023. A past President of the Wyoming State Bar, his service there continues as a member of the Board of Law Examiners and the Review and Oversight Committee.
Experience & Results
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Mellon v. International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery, 612 Fed.Appx. 936, Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, May 27, 2015
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Powder River Basin Resource Council, et al. v. Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., 2014 WY 37, Wyoming Supreme Court, March 12, 2014
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Ultra Resources v. Hartman, 2015 WY 40, Wyoming Supreme Court, March 19, 2015
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Hedquist v. Beamer, 763 Fed.Appx. 705, Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, February 13, 2019
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Black Card, LLC v. Visa U.S.A., Inc., 766 Fed.Appx. 583, Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, March 7, 2019
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Lennen v. City of Casper, Wyoming, 2022 WL 612799, Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, March 2, 2022
Practice Areas
- Commercial and Complex Litigation
- Energy and Natural Resources Litigation
- Tort and Civil Rights Defense
- Energy Regulation and Permitting
- Governmental Communications
- Nonprofit and Corporate Law
- Administrative, State, and Federal Appeals
- Client Counseling and Dispute Resolution
Honors & Insights
Honors
- Listed by Lawdragon as one of the “500 Leading U.S. Energy Lawyers” in 2024
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the fields of Energy Law, 2017–2019, 2021–2024, Natural Resources Law, 2018–2019, 2021–2024, Appellate Practice, 2018–2019, 2021–2024, and Litigation-Real Estate, 2016–2018, 2021–2024
- Selected as a Mountain States Super Lawyer, 2016–2024
- Recognized in the 2013–2024 editions of Chambers USA Annual Client’s Guide to Business Lawyers in the area of Litigation: General Commercial
Insights
- Author, From the President bi-monthly column, Wyoming Lawyer Magazine, 2016–2017
- Author, Beware the Budget Footnote, Wyoming Business Report, February 7, 2016
- Governor Mead Updating Energy Strategy, Wyoming Business Report, October 6, 2015
Education & Admissions
Education
- J.D., University of Wyoming College of Law, 1986
- B.A., College of Literature, Science and the Arts, University of Michigan, 1983
Bar Admissions/Qualifications
- Wyoming, 1986
- U. S. District Court, Wyoming, 1986
- U. S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, 1987
Professional & Community Involvement
Professional Honors and Service
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the fields of Energy Law, 2017–2019, Natural Resources Law, 2018–2019, Appellate Practice, 2018–2019 and
- Litigation-Real Estate, 2016–2018
- Selected as a Mountain States Super Lawyer, 2016–2019
- Recognized in the 2013–2019 editions of Chambers USA Annual Client’s Guide to
- Business Lawyers in the area of Litigation: General Commercial
- Lecturer and Judge: Wyoming Summer Trial Institute, 2013–2022; Wyoming High School Mock Trial Competition; WTLA Voir Dire Competition
- Wyoming State Bar Pro Bono Award for Service to Indigent Clients: 2013
- Wyoming State Bar – John M. Burman Extraordinary Service Award: 2023
- Vice President, Wyoming State Bar: 2014–2015
- President-Elect, Wyoming State Bar: 2015–2016
- President, Wyoming State Bar: 2016–2017
- Wyoming State Bar Board of Law Examiners: 2012–2018, 2021–present
- Wyoming State Bar Board of Professional Responsibility: 2018–present
Community and Outside Service
- Wyoming Medical Center Board of Directors, Member and Past Chair: 2010–2020
Troopers Foundation: 2008–present - Tate Foundation, Board Member and Officer: 2018–present
- Masterson Family Foundation, Board Member and Chair: 2002–present
- Natrona Collective Health Trust: 2020–present
- University of Wyoming College of Law Advisory Board: 2016–present
Manager, Laramide LLC: 2009–present - Manager, South Spring Creek Ranch, LLC: 1996–present