October 1, 2024
The Welborn team of Sam Bacon, David Hrovat, and Joe Pierzchala recently won summary judgment rejecting claims of more than $40 million.
The plaintiff sued attempting to retroactively add assets to a transaction, alleging claims of quiet title, breach of contract, tortious interference with contract, civil conspiracy, unjust enrichment, and constructive fraud. The Welborn team defended the case from the regulatory stage though complex discovery to pre-trial motions in trial court. Just before trial, the Court entered summary judgment in favor of Defendants on the plain-language theory developed and argued by Welborn.
Asked about the result, Sam Bacon observed that “isolating the legal arguments from the factual disputes was critical to securing this victory that avoided the expense of trial. Having skilled specialists like Joe and David, who really understand the nuances of the subject matter, allowed us to craft an understandable theory of the case tailored to the circumstances here.”
David Hrovat, who took the lead through discovery, added “we recognized from the beginning the strengths and weaknesses of the case, which helped us develop a clear theme and consistent framing that facilitated everything from document requests to witness preparation. Though we were excited and ready to try the case if needed, we couldn’t be happier about this great result in motions practice.”
September 25, 2024
The weather was ideal for last week’s 2024 Annual Denver Petroleum Club Golf Tournament! Welborn was proud to sponsor the event, and our attorneys Scott Turner, Amy Seneshen, Allison MacKinnon and Joe Pierzchala enjoyed a fantastic day for a great cause.
August 30, 2024
In the Summer 2024 edition of the American Bar Association’s Natural Resources & Environment, Danielle DiMauro authored Renewable Energy on Federal Public Lands – BLM Initiatives and the Value of Regional Planning.
In the August 2024 edition of the Wyoming State Bar’s Wyoming Lawyer magazine, Kayla Albertson authored What I Wish I Learned in Law School: Struggles and Insights.
Congratulations to both authors!
August 16, 2024
We are thrilled to announce the newest additions to our Denver office: Andrew Comer, a seasoned corporate and transactional attorney, and Kaitlyn Dehmer, a talented corporate associate.
Joining them is Miranda Hunter, a highly experienced paralegal whose expertise is a tremendous asset to the team. Together, they will further strengthen our corporate team.
Welcome aboard, Andrew, Kaitlyn and Miranda!
August 15, 2024
24 Welborn attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2025 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, the legal profession’s most respected peer-review publication for more than four decades. Recognition by Best Lawyers is rooted in a rigorous, peer-to-peer, industry-driven evaluation and is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, conferred on a lawyer by their peers. This year’s rankings include 20 Welborn attorneys as The Best Lawyers in America® and 4 Welborn attorneys as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America™.
The Best Lawyers in America® honorees:
Casper, WY:
- Hampton O’Neill – Personal Injury Litigation (Defendants)
- Jennifer McDowell – Corporate Law, Oil & Gas Law, Real Estate Law
- John Masterson – Appellate Practice, Energy Law, Litigation (Real Estate), Natural Resources Law
- Ken Barbe – Corporate Law, Litigation (Mergers and Acquisitions), Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Denver, CO:
- Ed Blieszner – Construction Law, Litigation (Construction), Litigation (Municipal)
- Carolyn Burr – Water Law, Natural Resources Law
- Andrew Comer – Corporate Law
- Ken Jones – Oil and Gas Law
- Mike Fredregill – Real Estate Law
- Allison MacKinnon – Oil and Gas Law, Energy Law
- Jim Noble – Water Law
- Joseph Pierzchala – Energy Regulatory Law, Oil and Gas Law
- Kelly Reiman – Corporate Law, Tax Law
- Julie Rosen – Energy Law, Environmental Law
- Jim Sanderson – Energy Law, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, Utilities Law, Water Law
- Amy Seneshen – Energy Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law
- Eric Snyder – Real Estate Law
- Brian Tooley – Commercial Litigation, Natural Resources Law
- Keith Tooley – Commercial Litigation, Natural Resources Law
- Rebecca Watson – Energy Law, Natural Resources Law
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America™:
- Kaitlyn Dehmer – Corporate Law
- Mallory Hasbrook – Oil and Gas Law, Elder Law, Trusts & Estates
- Marissa Kazemi – Banking and Finance Law
- Kathleen Pritchard – Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Environmental, Natural Resources Law
July 12th, 2024
Congratulations to 3 of Welborn’s Wyoming attorneys for being selected by their peers for inclusion in the Mountain States Super Lawyers 2024 edition:
- Ken Barbe – Mergers & Acquisitions
- Jennifer McDowell – Mergers and Acquisitions
- John Masterson – Civil Litigation: Defense
June 20th, 2024
Welborn had two teams run in the Colfax Relay last month: Team “Move to Strike” and Team “Learned Foot.” Team Move to Strike, led by Anthony Roeber, took second place in the legal division. As a result, the organization made a $1,250 donation to charity on our firm’s behalf. We chose Water for People, a Colorado-based global nonprofit organization that works to provide communities with access to clean water in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
June 10th, 2024
The 2024 edition of Chambers and Partners USA ranked Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley as a top firm in Colorado in both the Energy & Natural Resources and Environment practice areas, while our Wyoming office was recognized as a top firm in Corporate/M&A and Real Estate. In addition, congratulations to Welborn’s attorneys who earned individual rankings:
Keith Tooley – Energy & Natural Resources (Colorado)
Amy Seneshen– Energy & Natural Resources (Colorado)
James Sanderson – Environment (Colorado)
Julie Rosen – Environment (Colorado)
Ken Barbe – Corporate/M&A and Real Estate (Wyoming)
Jennifer McDowell – Corporate/M&A (Wyoming)
John Masterson – Litigation: General Commercial (Wyoming)
May 28th, 2024
Welborn is pleased to announce that Matt Nadel, a litigation associate, has joined our Denver office. Prior to Welborn, Matt worked at an energy boutique law firm and was a Wyoming Assistant Attorney General. Welcome, Matt!
May 14th, 2024
Welborn is thrilled to announce that Kathleen Pritchard and Marissa Kazemi have joined our Denver office. Kathleen advises clients on environmental issues and renewable energy development, while Marissa practices real estate law. Welcome to Welborn!
April 23, 2024
Congratulations to Amelia Marsh for being selecting as the Outstanding Private Sector Extern at the University of Denver Law School for the 2023-24 year. This award is given to a student who has (1) demonstrated excellence in an externship and has engaged in critical reflection about the legal profession, their legal career, and their priorities and values as lawyers and individuals; (2) produced high-quality work in the field; and (3) demonstrated professionalism and a strong work ethic. Amelia has interned for Welborn over the last year and is joining us as an associate in the fall. Well-deserved, Amelia!
April 11, 2024
Welborn’s Litigation Team Prevails in Proving Breach of Contract in 2-Month Trial
The Welborn litigation team of Sam Bacon, Brian Tooley, David Hrovat, and Anthony Roeber prevailed in a marathon jury trial spanning two months this past fall. Welborn represented the plaintiffs, which were two non-operators of an oil lease outside Bakersfield, California. They alleged that Aera Energy, which was jointly owned by ExxonMobil and Shell, had breached its obligations as the Operator of the lease, prioritizing its selfish bottom-line over the shared goals and commitments in the parties’ agreements. As the presiding judge found after trial, “the overwhelming weight of evidence (far beyond Plaintiffs’ burden of preponderance) supports Plaintiffs’ contention that Defendant Operator prioritized its interests over those of Plaintiff non-operators in making numerous business decisions and that Defendant Operator concealed this standard.” Over the two months, the Welborn team—in the words of the Court—”presented abundant evidence of failures by Defendant to perform certain actions required by the [contract] and its duties as Operator pursuant to the [contract].” The Court ordered specific performance, a declaration granting the rare remedy of removing the Operator, and an injunction mandating the defendant turn over operations of the lease to the non-operators.
Defense counsel Vinson & Elkins passionately and aggressively defended the case, filing upwards of forty motions seeking to prevent the plaintiffs from obtaining any relief. The Welborn Team won every dispositive motion in the years leading up to trial, during trial, and after the case was submitted, getting all claims pled through to a jury verdict finding breach of contract. “We faced knowledgeable opposing counsel who expertly enacted a plan to try to confuse the Court and jury with technical excuses and red herrings,” recalls lead counsel Sam Bacon. “I’m incredibly proud of our team of Brian, David, and Anthony, both in their legal skill putting on a case the jury could understand and their personal commitment to essentially move to Bakersfield for the fall to try this case. It was also a pleasure and true asset working closely with in-house counsel for our clients to understand the wrong they had suffered and the story they wanted to tell the jury. It was a privilege to right that wrong for them.”
March 8, 2024
Congratulations to the 7 Welborn attorneys who have been named to the 2024 Colorado Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list. Our Super Lawyers include Amy Seneshen (Energy & Natural Resources), Keith Tooley (Business Litigation) and Rebecca Watson (Energy & Natural Resources). Our Rising Stars are Jordan Cohen (Business/Corporate), Allison MacKinnon (Energy & Natural Resources), Mallory Hasbrook (Energy & Natural Resources) and Jens Jensen (Energy & Natural Resources).
February 28, 2024
Welborn’s Scott Turner, Colorado reporter for The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, shares his thoughts on recent developments in Colorado and BLM natural resources law, including the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision not to adopt a universal definition of “production” for oil and gas leases. Thank you, Scott, for your insight.
https://www.fnrel.org/publications/bookstore/secure/meln1-2024xxx/coloog
January 19, 2024
Congratulations to Ashley Glassman on being selected as a mentee into the Denver Petroleum Club 2024 Mentor Program. The Denver Petroleum Club is a membership organization that supports industry professionals with leadership development, networking opportunities and educational insights.
January 4, 2024
Welborn is proud to announce that three of our attorneys have been selected by 5280 Magazine as Denver’s Top Lawyers 2024. Congratulations to Amy Seneshen (Natural Resources Law), Carolyn Burr (Water Law), and Steve Bain (International Law). Welborn’s attorneys are honored to have been selected by their peers.
https://www.5280.com/denvers-top-lawyers-2024/
December 8, 2023
In support of our commitment to strengthening the communities in which we live and work, Welborn is pleased to announce contributions to the Colfax Community Network and Wyoming Food for Thought Project during this holiday season. The Colfax Community Network works to improve and strengthen the lives of those living in transient housing, primarily in motels along Colfax Avenue in Denver. The Wyoming Food for Thought Project, located in Casper, Wyoming, aims to alleviate poverty and ensure that every individual has direct and equitable access to food.
November 2, 2023
Welborn is proud to announce that it is again ranked nationally in the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms® earning a National Tier 2 ranking in Natural Resources and Oil & Gas Law. In addition to our national rankings, Welborn is ranked among the top in its region in 15 practice areas. In Colorado, Welborn is ranked as Tier 1 in Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil & Gas Law, Tax Law and Water Law, and ranked as Tier 2 in Corporate Law, Litigation – Municipal, and Real Estate. Welborn received a Tier 3 ranking in Administrative/Regulatory Law, Construction Law, and Litigation – Construction. Our Wyoming office is also ranked as Tier 2 in Energy Law, Natural Resources Law and Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants.
Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process including client feedback and peer review.
October 25, 2023
Welborn is pleased to announce that Danielle DiMauro has joined the Denver office as Special Counsel. Prior to joining Welborn, Danielle worked for over 13 years as an attorney in the Office of the Solicitor for the U.S. Department of the Interior advising BLM on a variety of public lands and natural resource related issues.
October 23, 2023
In celebration of Bravo! Vail and Music Education Month, Welborn would like to share that our very own Edward Blieszner was recently a Special Guest Conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra with renowned Conductor and Educator, Marin Alsop during the Bravo! Vail’s Orchestral Series 2023. The New York Philharmonic returned to Bravo! Vail for its annual summer residency reprising 19-year-old Yunchan Lim’s legendary, Gold medal-winning performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 at the 2022 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, with Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite.
Well done Ed!
September 12, 2023
Congratulations to John Masterson, the recipient of the Wyoming State Bar’s John M. Burman Extraordinary Service Award. Recipients of the award must demonstrate extraordinary service to Wyoming lawyers, the Wyoming State Bar, the University of Wyoming College of Law, the Wyoming judiciary, the citizens of Wyoming and the international community. A past president of the Wyoming State Bar, John has served on the Board of Law Examiners, the Board of Professional Responsibility, the Board of Officers & Commissioners, the Civil Pattern Jury Instructions Committee, the Legislative Developments Committee, the Editorial Committee for the Wyoming Lawyer and the Wyoming Lawyer Assistance Program (WyLAP) Advisory Committee.
August 17, 2023
24 Welborn attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, the legal profession’s most respected peer-review publication for more than four decades. Recognition by Best Lawyers is rooted in a rigorous, peer-to-peer, industry-driven evaluation and is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor, conferred on a lawyer by their peers. This year’s rankings includes nineteen Welborn attorneys as The Best Lawyers in America® and five Welborn attorneys as Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America™ .
The Best Lawyers in America® honorees:
Ken Barbe – Corporate Law, Litigation (Mergers and Acquisitions), Mergers and Acquisitions LawEd Blieszner – Construction Law, Litigation (Construction), Litigation (Municipal)Carolyn Burr – Water Law, Natural Resources LawKen Jones – Oil and Gas LawJohn Masterson – Appellate Practice, Energy Law, Litigation (Real Estate), Natural Resources LawHampton O’Neill – Personal Injury Litigation (Defendants)Amy Seneshen – Energy Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas LawBrian Tooley – Commercial Litigation, Natural Resources LawKeith Tooley – Commercial Litigation, Natural Resources LawRebecca Watson – Energy Law, Natural Resources LawKelly Reiman – Corporate Law, Tax LawEric Snyder – Real Estate LawJoseph Pierzchala –Energy Regulatory Law, Oil and Gas LawJim Sanderson – Energy Law, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, Water LawJulie Rosen – Energy Law, Environmental LawJim Noble – Water LawJennifer McDowell – Corporate Law, Oil & Gas Law, Real Estate Law
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America™:
Allison MacKinnon, Ones to Watch, Oil and Gas Law, Natural Resources Law, Energy LawSam Bacon – Ones to Watch , Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Environmental Law, Oil and Gas Law
Mallory Hasbrook – Ones to Watch, Oil and Gas Law, Elder Law, Trusts & Estates
Jordan Cohen – Ones to Watch, Business Organizations (including LLC’s & Partnerships), Corporate Law, Tax Law
Jens Jensen – Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation
July 25, 2023
Managing Partner, Amy Seneshen, has been elected to the Board of Directors of FNREL.
July 18, 2023
Congratulations to Keith Tooley and Amy Seneshen on being selected by Business Today as a Top 10 Influential Energy & Natural Resources Lawyer Colorado 2023.
July 17, 2023
Congratulations to Jennifer McDowell and Ken Barbe on being selected by Business Today as a Top 10 Influential Corporate/M&A Lawyers Making Waves in WY.
June 13, 2023
Welborn is excited to announce that Ashley Glassman has recently joined the Denver office as Shareholder in the Mineral Title Examination Practice Group.
June 1, 2023
The 2023 edition of Chambers and Partners USA ranked the Welborn Denver office as a top firm in the Natural Resources & Energy and Environment practice areas. Our Casper, Wyoming office is ranked in the Corporate/M&A and Real Estate practice areas. In Denver, congratulations to Keith Tooley and Amy Seneshen, individually ranked in the practice area of Natural Resources & Energy, and to James Sanderson and Julie Rosen, who were ranked individually in the Environment practice area. In our Casper office, congratulations to Ken Barbe, ranked in Corporate/M&A and Real Estate, Jennifer McDowell, Corporate/M&A, and John Masterson, recognized in the practice area of Litigation: General Commercial.
March 7, 2023
Congratulations to Welborn’s 2023 Colorado Super Lawyers & Rising Stars.
Amy Seneshen, Energy & Resources
Rebecca W. Watson, Energy & Resources
Keith Tooley, Business Litigation
Brian Tooley, Business Litigation
Jens Jensen, Rising Star, Energy & Resources
Jordan Cohen, Rising Star, Business/Corp
February 7, 2023
Welborn is pleased to announce four of our attorneys have been selected by 5280 for Denver’s Top Lawyers 2023. Congratulations to Amy Seneshen (Natural Resources Law), Carolyn Burr (Water Law) and Rebecca W. Watson (Natural Resources Law).
November 3, 2022
Welborn is proud to announce that it is ranked nationally among the 2023 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms,” earning a Tier 2 ranking in Natural Resources Law and Tier 3 ranking in Oil & Gas Law. In addition to the national rankings, Welborn is ranked amongst the top in its region in 17 practice areas. In Colorado, Welborn is ranked as Tier 1 in Commercial Litigation, Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil & Gas Law, Tax Law and Water Law, Tier 2 rankings in Corporate Law and Litigation – Municipal and Tier 3 rankings in Administrative/Regulatory Law, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction and Real Estate Law. Welborn’s Wyoming office is also Tier 2 in Energy Law, Natural Resources Law and Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants.
U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process including client feedback and peer review.
October 14, 2022
Rebecca Watson presented The Gina Guy Annual Keynote on Government Service at the 2022 Landscape Discussion on Energy Law & Policy in the Rockies, an annual conference hosted by the University of Wyoming and attended by top government officials. In this inaugural public service lecture, Rebecca discusses the federal law careers of Gina Guy, DOI Regional Solicitor, and herself as DOI Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management and as DOE Assistant General Counsel.”>Gina Guy Annual Keynote on Government Service at the 2022 Landscape Discussion on Energy Law & Policy in the Rockies, an annual conference hosted by the University of Wyoming and attended by top government officials. In this inaugural public service lecture, Rebecca discusses the federal law careers of Gina Guy, DOI Regional Solicitor, and herself as DOI Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management and as DOE Assistant General Counsel.
August 18, 2022
Congratulations to the 24 Welborn attorneys that were selected for inclusion in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America. Four Welborn attorneys were named as the “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers® for 2023: Edward Blieszner (Litigation – Municipal), Carolyn Burr (Water Law); Hampton O’Neill (Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants) and Amy Seneshen (Energy Law). Other Welborn attorneys recognized as Best Lawyers® for 2023 in this peer-review survey that recognizes only 5% of U.S. practicing attorneys:
Ken Barbe, Corporate Law, Litigation (Mergers and Acquisitions), Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Kendor Jones, Oil and Gas Law
John Masterson, Appellate Practice, Energy Law, Litigation (Real Estate), Natural Resources Law
Jim Noble, Water Law
Joe Pierzchala, Administrative/Regulatory Law, Energy Regulatory Law, Oil and Gas Law
Kelly Reiman, Corporate Law, Tax Law
Julie Rosen, Environmental Law
James Sanderson, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law
Eric Snyder, Real Estate Law
Brian Tooley, Commercial Litigation, Natural Resources Law
Keith Tooley, Commercial Litigation, Natural Resources Law
Rebecca W. Watson, Energy Law, Natural Resources Law
Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch in America for 2023:
Sam Bacon, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Environmental Law, Oil and Gas Law
Jordan Cohen, Business Organizations (including LLC’s and Partnerships), Corporate Law, Tax Law
Mallory Hasbrook, Ones to Watch, Oil and Gas Law, Elder Law
Jens Jensen, Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation
Allison MacKinnon, Ones to Watch, Oil and Gas Law
June 3, 2022
The 2022 edition of Chambers USA ranked Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley’s Denver office as a top firm in the Natural Resources & Energy and Environment practice areas. Our Casper, Wyoming office is ranked in the Corporate/M&A and Real Estate practice areas. In Denver, congratulations to Keith Tooley and Amy Seneshen, individually ranked in the practice area of Natural Resources & Energy, and to James Sanderson and Julie Rosen, who were ranked individually in the Environment practice area. In our Casper office, congratulations to Ken Barbe, ranked in Corporate/M&A and Real Estate, Jennifer McDowell, who was recognized in Corporate/M&A, and John Masterson, who was named in the practice area of General Commercial Litigation.
March 8, 2022
Welborn is pleased to announce that six of our Colorado shareholders have been recognized as 2022 Colorado Super Lawyers® or Rising Stars. Super Lawyers® selects lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement based on a rigorous multiphase patented selection process that combines independent research and peer nominations and evaluations. Only 5% of lawyers in the state of Colorado are named as Super Lawyers and 2.5% are named as Rising Stars.
Colorado Super Lawyers:
• Amy Seneshen, Energy & Natural Resources
• Rebecca Watson, Energy & Natural Resources
• Keith Tooley, Business Litigation
• Brian Tooley, Business Litigation
Colorado Rising Stars:
• Jens Jensen, Energy & Natural Resources
• Jordan Cohen, Business/Corporate
January 19, 2022
Congratulations to four Welborn attorneys being named as 5280 Magazine’s Top Lawyers of 2022. This annual list of the best attorneys in the region are voted on by peers from over 50 legal specialties from the Denver metro area.
Our Top Lawyers and their respective areas of practice are:
Amy Seneshen – Natural Resources
Carolyn Burr – Water
Rebecca Watson – Natural Resources
Laura Lindley – Natural Resources
November 5, 2021
Welborn was named among the 2022 “Best Law Firms” recently published in U.S. News & World Report, earning a Tier 1 ranking in Colorado in Natural Resources Law, Energy Law, Oil & Gas Law, Water Law and Commercial Litigation, and a national ranking in both Natural Resources Law and Oil & Gas Law. Welborn earned a Tier 2 ranking in Colorado for Environmental Law, Construction Law, Litigation – Construction and Litigation – Municipal. Our Wyoming office also earned a Tier 2 ranking in Energy Law, Natural Resources Law and Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants. Rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process from clients and peers.
August 19, 2021
Congratulations to the 20 Welborn attorneys recognized by The Best Lawyers in America 2022 edition, an honor bestowed upon 5% of U.S. practicing attorneys:
• Amy Seneshen, Oil and Gas Law, Energy Law, Natural Resources Law
• Rebecca Watson – Energy Law, Natural Resources Law
• Ken Jones – Oil and Gas Law
• John Masterson – Appellate Practice, Energy Law, Litigation (Real Estate), Natural Resources Law
• Ken Barbe – Corporate Law, Litigation (Mergers and Acquisitions), Mergers and Acquisitions Law
• Ed Blieszner – Construction Law, Litigation (Construction), Litigation (Municipal)
• Hampton O’Neill – Personal Injury Litigation (Defendants)
• Brian Tooley – Commercial Litigation, Natural Resources Law
• Keith Tooley – Commercial Litigation, Natural Resources Law
• Carolyn Burr – Water Law
• Joseph Pierzchala – Administrative/Regulatory Law, Energy Regulatory Law
• Kelly Reiman – Corporate Law, Tax Law
• Eric Snyder – Real Estate Law
• Jens Jensen – Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation
• Allison MacKinnon, Ones to Watch, Oil and Gas Law
• Sam Bacon, Ones to Watch, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Environmental Law, Oil and Gas Law
• Mallory Hasbrook, Ones to Watch, Oil and Gas Law
August 1, 2021
Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley P.C. is pleased to announce the addition of shareholders Kelly Reiman, Eric Snyder and Jordan Cohen to its Denver, Colorado office. Read the Press Release here.
June 30, 2021
Chambers USA Ranks 7 Welborn Attorneys in 2021 Guide
The 2021 edition of Chambers USA ranked Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley’s Denver office as 1 of 8 Colorado law firms in the Natural Resources & Energy practice area and 1 of 11 Colorado law firms in the Environment practice area. Our Casper, Wyoming office was 1 of 5 law firms ranked in Wyoming in the Corporate/M&A practice area. In our Denver office, congratulations to Keith Tooley and Amy Seneshen, ranked in the practice area of Natural Resources & Energy, and to James Sanderson, who was ranked in the Environment practice area. In our Casper office, congratulations to Ken Barbe, who was ranked in Corporate/M&A and Real Estate, Jennifer McDowell, who was recognized in Corporate/M&A, and John Masterson, who was named in the practice area of General Commercial Litigation.
March 19, 2021
Congrats to Welborn attorneys Amy Seneshen and Rebecca W. Watson for being recognized as 3 of the 8 Colorado Super Lawyers in the field of Energy & Natural Resources Law. Allison MacKinnon and Jens Jensen were recognized as Rising Stars in Energy & Natural Resources. Keith Tooley and Brian Tooley were recognized as Super Lawyers in Business Litigation.
March 3, 2021
Welborn is excited to have Jens Jensen featured in Colorado Super Lawyers Magazine!
January 8, 2021
Congratulations to five Welborn attorneys being named as 5280 Magazine’s Top Lawyers of 2021. This annual list of the best attorneys in the region are voted on by peers from over 50 legal specialties from the seven county Denver metro area.
Our Top Lawyers and their respective areas of practice are:
Amy Seneshen – Natural Resources
Carolyn Burr – Water
Rebecca Watson – Natural Resources
Welborn was named among the 2021 “Best Law Firms” recently published in U.S. News & World Report, earning a Tier 1 ranking in Colorado in Natural Resources Law, Energy Law, Oil & Gas Law, Commercial Litigation, Administrative/Regulatory Law and Water Law and a national ranking in both Natural Resources Law and Oil & Gas Law. For more information or a full list of Welborn’s rankings, please visit here. Rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process from clients and peers.
WELBORN ADVISES ORION MINE FINANCE AND SWEETWATER ROYALTIES IN ACQUISITION OF OXY LAND GRANT ASSETS FOR $1.33 BILLION
Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley advised Orion Mine Finance and Sweetwater Royalties in connection with the acquisition of Occidental Petroleum Corporation’s Wyoming, Colorado and Utah Land Grant assets for approximately $1.33 billion. The assets include approximately 4 million mineral acres and 1 million surface acres and is one of the largest land acquisitions in the United States in the past 75 years. Amy Seneshen and Allison MacKinnon led the Welborn team.
Congratulations to Welborn shareholder Ken Barbe, who was recently selected as the President-Elect of the Wyoming State Bar.
14 Welborn Lawyers Named Best Lawyers
Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley is pleased to announce that 14 Welborn lawyers were recently included in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, which is based on a peer-review survey of professional expertise. Congratulations to Hampton O’Neill, who was recognized as the Lawyer of the Year in Wyoming for Personal Injury Litigation (Defendants). The other Welborn attorneys named Best Lawyers in the 2021 edition are:
- Ken Barbe – Corporate Law, Litigation (Mergers and Acquisitions), Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Ed Blieszner – Construction Law, Litigation (Construction), Litigation (Municipal)
- Carolyn Burr – Water Law
- Ken Jones – Oil and Gas Law
- John Masterson – Appellate Practice, Energy Law, Litigation (Real Estate), Natural Resources Law
- Hampton O’Neill – Lawyer of the Year: Personal Injury Litigation (Defendants)
- Amy Seneshen – Energy Law, Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law
- Brian Tooley – Commercial Litigation, Natural Resources Law
- Keith Tooley – Commercial Litigation, Natural Resources Law
- Rebecca Watson – Energy Law, Natural Resources Law
- Jens Jensen – Ones to Watch (Commercial Litigation)
Welborn congratulates environmental law attorney James Sanderson for being ranked in the 2020 edition of Chambers USA.
Congratulations to our WSMT Team. Chambers USA 2020 ranks J. Kenneth Barbe in the practice areas of Corporate/M&A and Real Estate; Jennifer McDowell is listed as “Up and Coming” in the practice area of Corporate/M&A; John Masterson in the practice area of Litigation: General Commercial; Keith Tooley and Amy Seneshen in the practice area of Natural Resources & Energy.
Chambers USA 2020 ranks Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley as one of six Colorado law firms in the Natural Resources & Energy practice area and one of twelve Colorado law firms in the Environment practice area.
Welborn congratulates our 2020 Colorado Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. Rebecca Watson and Amy Seneshen were named Super Lawyers in the Energy & Natural Resources category, Keith Tooley and Brian Tooley were honored in the Business Litigation category. Jens Jensen and Allison MacKinnon were recognized as Rising Stars in the practice area of Energy & Natural Resources. Only the top 5% of attorneys in each state are honored as Super Lawyers, and only 2.5% of eligible attorneys are recognized as Rising Stars.
Welborn is pleased to announce that environmental lawyers Jim Sanderson and Julie Rosen are joining the firm’s Denver office. Sanderson and Rosen are well known for their extensive experience in air and water quality permitting and compliance, regulation development for air and water, solid and hazardous waste management, public lands law, mine land reclamation, environmental reviews and due diligence, and environmental litigation. “Jim and Julie’s expertise dovetails perfectly with Welborn’s areas of service to our clients. They have many decades of success in environmental problem solving that enables them to successfully navigate complex environmental processes. It’s a natural fit and they are a fantastic addition to our team.” said Amy Seneshen, Managing Partner of Welborn.
February 2020
Welborn congratulates Allison MacKinnon, who has been promoted to shareholder. Allison represents publicly traded and privately held companies in a wide range of oil and gas transactions, with a focus on acquisitions and divestitures in the upstream and midstream energy sectors.
January 2020
Congratulations to our 5280 Top Lawyers Carolyn Burr, Amy Seneshen and Rebecca Watson.
January 2020
Welborn’s Stacie Hedrick was selected to the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) Chapter Resource Team. Members of the Chapter Resource Team assist in the development of creative strategies that promote and educate members on the policies, programs and initiatives of ALA, including providing support and resources to chapters and their leaders.
December 2019
Welborn attorneys Amy Seneshen and Rebecca Watson were selected for the Denver Business Journal’s Who’s Who in Energy list. At the reception, Amy Seneshen was interviewed by Denver Business Journal’s Greg Avery about the state of the energy industry.
November 2019
Joe Pierzchala spoke about state surface use regulations at the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation’s Advanced Landman’s Institute in Houston, co-sponsored by the AAPL and the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. Amy Seneshen co-chaired the conference.
November 2019
June 2019
June 2019
Welborn Wyoming attorneys J. Kenneth Barbe and John A. Masterson have been selected to the 2019 Mountain States Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor according to their website.
May 2019
Welborn Wyoming attorney Patrick R. Tolley has been selected to the 2019 Mountain States Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers®. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of lawyers in the state are selected by the research team to receive this honor as indicated on the Super Lawyers website.
May 2019
Chambers USA 2019 ranks J. Kenneth Barbe in the practice areas of Corporate/M&A and Real Estate; Jennifer L. McDowell in the practice area of Corporate/M&A; John A. Masterson in the practice area of Litigation: General Commercial; and Keith D. Tooley in the practice area of Natural Resources & Energy.
April 2019
Chambers USA 2019 ranks Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley as one of six Colorado law firms in their Natural Resources & Energy practice area and one of eleven Colorado law firms in their Environment practice area.
April 2019
Welborn attorneys Brian Tooley, Keith Tooley and Rebecca Watson have been selected to the 2019 Colorado Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.
March 2019
Welborn associate Jens Jensen has been selected to the 2019 Colorado Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers®. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of lawyers in the state are selected by the research team to receive this honor.
March 2019
Welborn welcomes Katharine W. Allen as an associate in our Casper, WY office.
January 2019
Welborn attorneys Carolyn Burr and Rebecca Watson were listed as 2019 Top Lawyers compiled by 5280 Magazine. Laura and Rebecca in the practice area of Natural Resources and Carolyn in the practice area of Water. View this link to see the entire list.
December 2018
Welborn shareholders Amy Seneshen and Keith Tooley were named to the Denver Business Journal’s 2018 list of “Who’s Who in Energy”. View the slideshow here.
November 2018
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers collaboratively announce the release of the 2019 Best Law Firms™ rankings. Welborn received Metropolitan Tier 1 rankings in Administrative/Regulatory Law, Energy Law, Natural Resources Law and Oil & Gas Law. We also received National Tier 2 rankings in Natural Resources Law and Oil & Gas Law. Read the Welborn All Tier Report.
November 2018
Welborn Associate, Mallory Hasbrook, has been appointed as the Outreach Coordinator by the Elder Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association. It is a two-year appointment.
October 2018
Ten Welborn Lawyers were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019. Congratulations to Brian Tooley, Carolyn Burr, Edward Blieszner, Hampton O’Neill, John Masterson, Keith Tooley, Ken Barbe, Ken Jones and Rebecca Watson.
August 2018
Welborn shareholder Rebecca W. Watson has been selected President-elect of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation. Read the press release here.
August 2018
Welborn extends congratulations to John Masterson and Ken Barbe selected as 2018 Mountain States Super Lawyers as well as Patrick R. Tolley selected as 2018 Mountain States “Rising Stars”.
June 2018
Chambers USA 2018 ranks J. Kenneth Barbe in the practice areas of Corporate/M&A & Real Estate; John A Masterson in the practice area of Litigation: General Commercial and Keith D. Tooley in the practice area of Natural Resources & Environment.
May 2018
Chambers USA 2018 ranks Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley as one of eleven Colorado law firms in their Natural Resources & Environment practice area.
May 2018
Welborn attorneys Kendor Jones, Brian Tooley, Keith Tooley and Rebecca Watson have been selected to the 2018 Colorado Super Lawyers list. Each year lawyers in the top 5% of the total lawyers in the state are selected to the Super Lawyers list.
March 2018
Welborn attorneys Joseph Pierzchala, Scott Turner and Jens Jensen have been selected to the 2018 Colorado Rising Stars list comprised by Super Lawyers®. Each year no more than 2.5% of the lawyers in the state are selected to receive this honor.
March 2018
Welborn is pleased to announce Christopher T. Radovich has joined the firm as an associate. His practice will focus on oil and gas title matters. Click here for the Press Release.
March 2018
Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley Elects New Shareholder – Sam Bacon – 2 Special Counsel – Patrick Tolley & Nancy Peterson and Adds 4 Associates – Mallory Hasbrook, John Hegarty, Josh Murphy and Grace Fox. Read the full Press Release here.
February 2018
Welborn is pleased to announce Grace L. Fox has joined the firm as an associate in our litigation department. Read the Press Release here.
January 2018
Welborn is pleased to announce the addition of Nancy L. Peterson as Special Counsel. Ms. Peterson specializes in estate planning, probate, trust administration, guardianships and conservatorships. Read the Press Release here.
January 2018
Welborn attorneys Rebecca Watson-Natural Resources and Carolyn Burr-Water were included in Denver’s Top Lawyers List for 2018 compiled by 5280 Magazine.
December 2017
Welborn Managing Partner and Shareholder, Amy Seneshen, is selected as a member of “Who’s Who In Energy” by the Denver Business Journal. Use this link to see all the honorees in the Law Sector.
November 2017
Welborn is pleased to announce Joshua P. Murphy has joined the firm as an associate where his practice will focus on oil and gas title matters. Click here for the Press Release.
November 2017
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers publicly announce the 2018 “Best Law Firms” rankings. Welborn received Metropolitan Tier 1 rankings in Administrative/Regulatory Law, Energy Law, Natural Resources Law and Oil & Gas Law. We also received National Tier 2 rankings in Natural Resources Law and Oil & Gas Law. Firms included in the 2018 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. Receiving a tier designation also reflects the high level of respect a firm has earned among other leading lawyers and clients in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, their professionalism and their integrity. Read the Welborn All Tier Report here.
November 2017
Welborn is pleased to announce the additon of C. John Hegarty as an associate in our Denver office. John’s practice will primarily focus on oil & gas transactional matters. Read the Press Release here.
October 2017
Congratulations to Welborn Shareholder, Hampton K. O’Neill, who was named the Best Lawyers® 2018 Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants “Lawyer of the Year” in Casper.
August 2017
Ten Welborn Lawyers in 15 Practice Areas were selected for inclusion by their peers in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018. Congratulations to Brian Tooley, Carolyn Burr, Ed Blieszner, Hampton O’Neill, John Masterson, Keith Tooley, Ken Barbe, Ken Jones and Rebecca Watson. Read our Press Release here for detailed information.
August 2017
Welborn is pleased to announce that Mallory Hasbrook has joined the firm as an associate in our Denver office. Mallory’s practice will focus on oil and gas title matters. Read our Press Release here.
July 2017
Welborn extends congratulations to John Masterson and Ken Barbe selected as 2017 Mountain States Super Lawyers.
June 2017
Chambers USA ranks J. Kenneth Barbe in the practice areas of Real Estate and Corporate/M&A in Wyoming; John A. Masterson in the practice area of Litigation in Wyoming and Keith D. Tooley in the practice area of Natural Resources in Colorado.
May 2017
Chambers USA ranks Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley as one of twelve Colorado law firms in their Natural Resources & Environment practice area.
May 2017
Welborn attorneys Keith Tooley, Kendor Jones, Rebecca Watson and Brian Tooley have been selected to the 2017 Colorado Super Lawyers list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.
March 2017
Welborn attorney Joseph Pierzchala has been selected to the 2017 Colorado Rising Stars list. Each year, no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor.
March 2017
Welborn Shareholder Rebecca Watson served as Program Co-Chair for the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation’s Special Institute on Advanced Public Land Law-The Continuing Challenge of Managing for Multiple Use. The Institute was held in Santa Fe, NM January 26-27. A link to the presentations can be read here.
January 2017
Seven Welborn attorneys are included in the 2017 edition of Denver’s Top Lawyers List compiled by 5280 Magazine. Keith Tooley and Brian Tooley-Civil Litigation; Ed Blieszner-Transportation; Carolyn Burr-Water; and Rebecca Watson.
December 2016
Welborn Associate, Allison MacKinnon, has been accepted into the Denver Petroleum Club’s 2017 Mentor/Mentee Program. The program brings together established oil and gas industry leaders with young industry professionals to provide insight, guidance and advice regarding their professional career development.
December 2016
U.S. News – Best Lawyers® releases 2017 “Best Law Firms“™ list. Welborn received Metropolitan Tier 1 ranking in Natural Resources Law. Firms included in the 2017 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. Read the full Welborn Tier Report here.
November 2016
Amy Seneshen has been selected for inclusion in the Denver Business Journal’s 2016 edition of Who’s Who in Energy.
October 2016
Welborn shareholder, Jim Noble, has been appointed to a four year term on the Colorado Ground Water Commission by Governor Hickenlooper. The appointment took place last week. The Colorado Ground Water Commission is a regulatory and adjudicatory body authorized by the General Assembly to manage and control ground water resources within eight Designated Ground Water Basins in eastern Colorado. Designated Basins are areas in the eastern plains with very little surface water where users rely primarily on ground water as their source of water supply.
October 24, 2016
Our firm provided a tee box sponsorship at the 3rd Annual Denver Petroleum Club (DPC) Charity Golf Tournament held October 10th. Welborn attorneys Joe Pierzchala, Heidi Ruckriegle and Jim Noble enjoyed a great day on the course.
October 2016
Welborn extends congratulations to John A. Masterson, an attorney in our Casper, WY office. He has been elected President of the Wyoming State Bar. The 2016/2017 election results were announced last week in Laramie, Wyoming at the Bar’s Annual Business Meeting.
September 19, 2016
Ten Lawyers in Fourteen Practice Areas from Welborn were listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2017. Congratulations to Carolyn Burr, Ed Blieszner, Rebecca Watson, Keith Tooley, Brian Tooley, Kendor Jones, J. Kenneth Barbe, Hampton O’Neill and John Masterson. Read the Press Release for detailed information.
August 2016
Congratulations to Welborn Shareholder, Ken Jones who was selected as a 2016 Distinguished Recipient of the Clyde O. Martz Teaching Award by the Trustees of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation at their Annual Institute. The Clyde O. Martz Teaching Award was established in 1993, named in honor of the eighth president of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, an esteemed teacher of natural resources law whose casebook pioneered the teaching of the law of natural resources development and who made many other contributions to the growth and stature of the Foundation, including the editing of the first edition of the American Law of Mining. This award recognizes excellence in teaching natural resources law as the primary criterion, with consideration given to the fostering of a broad understanding of the law, mentoring of students, and innovative style, together with other relevant teaching qualities.
July 2016
Welborn Shareholder, Amy Seneshen, has been elected Managing Partner of our firm. Read the Press Release for more details.
June 2016
Read The Denver Post article authored by Welborn Shareholder Rebecca Watson entitled How to Prevent Loving Colorado’s Outdoors to Death.
June 2016
Congratulations to Amy Seneshen, managing partner at Welborn, who has been named by the Denver Business Journal as one of the Top Women in Energy for 2016. These women come from a variety of industries within the sector, such as exploration, production, engineering, renewable, law, well services, finance, manufacturing, education, training, public policy and environment. Nominations were accepted online for three months, then were reviewed and scored by a panel of judges. The top 40 were selected based on their expertise, leadership and personal commitment to their communities. A special publication highlighting the 40 honorees will publish both in print and online with the July 8 issue of the Denver Business Journal.
June 2016
Welborn Extends Congratulations to John Masterson selected as a 2016 Mountain States Super Lawyers. To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. While up to 5 percent of the lawyers in a state are named to Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5 percent are named to Rising Stars. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nomination and peer evaluations.
June 2016
Read the Article Mountain Biking Into The Wilderness written by Welborn Associate Heidi Ruckriegle which appears in the June 2016 edition of The Wyoming Lawyer.
June 2016
Chambers USA ranks J. Kenneth Barbe in the practice areas of Real Estate and Corporate/M&A in Wyoming; John A. Masterson in the practice area of Litigation: General Commercial in Wyoming and Keith D. Tooley in the practice area of Natural Resources in Colorado.
May 2016
Chambers USA ranks Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley as one of twelve Colorado law firms in their Natural Resources & Environment practice area.
May 2016
Rebecca Watson was selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers® Women in the Law – Business Edition | Spring 2016. Rebecca in the practice areas of Energy Law & Natural Resources Law; Laura in the practice areas of Administrative/Regulatory Law, Energy Law, Natural Resources Law and Oil & Gas Law. This was the inaugural Women in the Law issue.
May 2016
Welborn provided sponsorship at the 6th Annual Western Energy Alliance (WEA) Golf tournament held on May 26th at Arrowhead Golf Club. Blake Leavitt from Bayswater Exploration & Production, LLC joined Welborn attorneys Chelsey Russell, Joe Pierzchala and Scott Turner for a great day on the course.
May 2016
Welborn Shareholder, Rebecca Watson, is quoted in an article entitled “Locals worry BLM plans may exclude their voices” published in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. Read the article here.
April 2016
Welborn Shareholder, Rebecca Watson, participated in a panel discussion during the 25th Annual Conference of the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute held at the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law on March 10th. The topic was “Federal Public Lands: The Heart of the Rocky Mountain West.” Professor Robert Keiter was the moderator and former BLM CO State Director, Ann Morgan, was the other panelist. You can review the power point presentation that formed the basis of the discussion here.
March 2016
Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley is Thrilled to Announce the Addition of Preeminent Denver Oil & Gas Attorney Allison MacKinnon to the firm. Read the entire Press Release here.
January 2016
Welborn shareholders, Keith Tooley and Rebecca Watson, were included in the 2016 Denver’s Top Lawyers List compiled by 5280 Magazine. Keith in the practice area of Civil Litigation and Rebecca in the practice area of Natural Resources. You can search the entire list here.
December 2015
Ken Jones, managing partner at Welborn, has been selected as a member of Who’s Who in Energy by the Denver Business Journal (“DBJ”) 2015-16. This special report is a joint project with American City Business Journals publications in four other cities – Houston, Pittsburgh, Dallas and San Antonio. The Denver leaders, as well as those selected in the four other markets, are featured in the special report published in the November 27th issue of the DBJ that includes more than 500 business leaders across multiple industries and states who are driving energy deals and making daily contributions to this industry. Read the entire list here.
December, 2015
U.S. News – Best Lawyers® releases 2016 “Best Law Firms” list. Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley received Metro Tier 1 Ranking in Natural Resources for Colorado and Metro Tier 1 Ranking in Corporate Law for Wyoming. Firms included in the 2016 Best Law Firms™ list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive rankings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. Receiving a tier designation reflects the high level of respect a firm has earned among other leading lawyers and clients in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, their professionalism and their integrity. Read our All Tier Report here.
November, 2015
Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley is excited to announce the roll-out of our “Law of the Land” Blog. The focus of the blog is to bring you news and information that will help you stay “one step ahead” in our rapidly changing world. Blog topics span the range of our practice areas, covering everything from developing issues in employment law, to new BLM or EPA policies or rules, business deals, to recent court decisions affecting our clients. Blog posts are authored by Welborn attorneys, who understand the topic, can provide analysis and highlight what matters to you and why. See something of interest but want to know more? We are happy to come to your office and present a free “lunch and learn” on these and other topics impacting your business. View the Constant Contact announcement at http://conta.cc/1FCBU0R
September, 2015
Welborn is pleased to welcome new attorney to our Casper, WY office. John A. Masterson joined the firm on September 1, 2015. Read the Press Release here
September 2015
Rebecca W. Watson was selected as a member of the Advisory Board to the Draper Natural History Museum, Buffalo Bill Center of the West. The Draper Natural History Museum opened in Cody, Wyoming in 2002. The museum is designed to integrate natural sciences with the humanities to present a broader perspective on the American West.
September 2015
Welborn Shareholders J. Kenneth Barbe, Hampton K. O’Neill, Kendor P. Jones, Keith D. Tooley, Edward J. Blieszner, Brian S. Tooley and Rebecca W. Watson were listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2016. Read the Press Release here.
August 2015
During the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation’s (“RMMLF”) Annual Institute held in Anchorage July 15-18 Amy Seneshen was elected chairperson of the Site Selection Committee for the Annual Institute and Rebecca Watson was selected to the Board of Directors of RMMLF. Both are shareholders at Welborn.
July 2015
Welborn Extends Congratulations to J. Kenneth Barbe selected as a 2015 Mountain States Super Lawyer® as well as Nora Pincus selected as a 2015 Mountain States “Rising Star”. To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. While up to 5 percent of the lawyers in a state are named to Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5 percent are named to Rising Stars. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nomination and peer evaluations.
June 2015
Welborn Attorneys, Amy Seneshen and Chelsey Russell, presented “How to Attract and Retain Top Female Talent” at the GGI North American Conference held in Las Vegas on May 14-16, 2015.
May 2015
Chambers USA Ranks Welborn as one of eleven Colorado firms in their Natural Resources & Environment Practice Area. Our shareholder, J. Kenneth “Ken” Barbe, was also recognized as “Leaders in Their Field” in the Corporate/M&A and Real Estate Practice Areas in Wyoming.
May 2015
Welborn extends Congratulations to our very own Stacie Hedrick in achieving the Association of Legal Administator’s (“ALA”) Presidents’ Award of Excellence. Stacie, along with other members of last year’s Board, put in the hard work and dedication it took to achieve this Award. Her leadership and efforts will be recognized at an Awards Dinner which will be held in Nashville later this year.
April 2015
Welborn Associate Jennifer Cadena has been selected to the Advisor Program of the Colorado General Counsel Group (CGCG)
April 2015
Welborn Proudly Congratulates Kendor P. Jones on being selected for Ten Years as a Colorado Super Lawyer®
March 2015
Welborn Extends Congratulations to Keith D. Tooley, Brian S. Tooley and Rebecca W. Watson selected as 2015 Colorado Super Lawyers® as well as Jennifer Cadena and Joseph Pierzchala selected as Colorado Rising Stars.
March 2015
Welborn Shareholder James Noble has been selected to become a member of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Journal Editorial Board.
February 2015
Kelly Williams, one of our Salt Lake City attorneys, has been named as a 2015 Legal Elite | Top Lawyers in Utah by Utah Busines Magazine.
February 2015
Nora Pincus, who practices in our Salt Lake City office, has been appointed to serve as a member of the Bar Examiner Committee for the Utah State Bar.
January 2015
Welborn Associate, Jennifer Cadena Fortier, has been appointed to the Law Committee of the Board of Law Examiners by the Supreme Court of Colorado. Her term will run from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2021. The Law Committee consists of eleven volunteer attorneys.
January 2015
Three Welborn Shareholders are named in the 2015 Top Lawyers list compiled by 5280 – The Denver Magazine. Congratulations to Ken Jones (Natural Resources), Keith Tooley (Civil Litigation) and Rebecca Watson (Natural Resources). Click here for detailed information about the process as well as the complete lawyer list.
December 2014
Welborn Extends Congratulations to our very own Kendor P. Jones who was Presented The Lifetime Achievement Award by The Denver Association of Petroleum Landmen (“DAPL”) at their Annual Holiday Luncheon held December 17th. This award is presented to a current/past DAPL member who has exemplified the land profession and demonstrated leadership by contributing to the industry, the DAPL, the community and the land profession. Read the Article from The Rocky Mountain Landman here: Welborn-DAPL Hall of Fame-KPJones
December 2014
U.S. News – Best Lawyers® releases 2015 “Best Law Firms” list. Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley received Metro Tier 1 Ranking in Natural Resources Law for Colorado and Metro Tier 1 Ranking in Corporate Law for Wyoming. Firms included in the 2015 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practive and breadth of legal expertise. Ranked firms, presented in tiers, are listed on a national and/or metropolitan scale. Receiving a tier designation reflects the high level of respect a firm has earned among other leading lawyers and clients in the same communities and the same practice areas for their abilities, their professionalism and their integrity. Read the All Tier Report for our firm here.
November 2014
October 2014
Welborn Shareholder, Rebecca Wunder Watson, is named in the Denver Business Journal’s 2014 Who’s Who in Energy list.
October 2014
September 2014
Welborn Shareholder, Rebecca Watson, presented to the Garfield County Energy Advisory Board earlier this month at the Rifle Branch Library. Read The Sopris Sun news article here.
August 2014
Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley partnered with Noble Energy to sponsor the monthly event for Women In Energy held at our 17th Street office on Thursday, August 21st. Approximately 100 women were in attendance. Our managing partner, Ken Jones, served beverages for the evening, check out the photo. Women In Energy, with 1,000 members, is a Denver based networking group which was founded to provide a platform to support conversation among women that work in the energy industry in any capacity.
August 2014
Welborn Shareholders Kendor Jones, Keith Tooley, J. Kenneth Barbe, Brian Tooley, Edward Blieszner and Rebecca Watson were listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2015. Read the Press Release.
August 2014
Welborn Shareholder, J. Kenneth Barbe, has been named the Best Lawyers® 2015 Corporate Law “Lawyer of the Year” | Casper.
August 2014
Welborn Shareholder, Edward J. Blieszner, has been named the Best Lawyers® 2015 Litigation-Municipal “Lawyer of the Year” | Denver.
August 2014
Welborn Associate, Joshua Cannon, is quoted in August 3rd Wall Street Journal article entitled Dispute Flares Over Burned-Off Natural Gas. Read complete article here.
August 2014
Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley is a proud sponsor of the 60th Annual Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Annual Institute being held in Vail, CO July 17-19, 2014. Our very own Rebecca Watson has the honor of serving as the Program Chair. Kelly Williams and Joshua Cannon, attorneys in our SLC office, will present “Frontier Flaring: Science & Economics, Politics & Regulation-the Future of Flaring” during the Thursday afternoon session. Welborn Shareholder Amy Seneshen serves as a Trustee-At-Large for the Foundation and will attend the Trustee Council Meeting on July 16th. Other Welborn attorneys attending the 3 day event will be Kendor Jones, Lisa Perry, Edward Blieszner, James Noble, Sheryl Howe, John Meck, Brian Tooley, Keith Tooley, Danielle Wiletsky, Carolyn Burr, Scott Turner, Joseph Pierzchala, Jeffrey Flege, Chelsey Russell, Jennifer Cadena and Nora Pincus. Program information can be read by clicking the link above.
July 2014
Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley is pleased to announce that Jennifer L. McDowell Has Accepted the Position of Special Counsel with the firm. Read the Press Release.
June 2014
Chelsey Russell and Scott Turner present Understanding Interests in Oil & Gas Lands & Production at the HalfMoon Education Oil, Gas & Mineral Land Titles Conference.
June 2014
Lisa V. Perry presents Death of a Record Title Owner: Solving Estate Related Title Problems in Colorado (co-authored with Julie A. Clark) at the HalfMoon Education Oil, Gas & Mineral Land Titles Conference.
June 2014
June 2014
Welborn managing partner and shareholder, Kendor P. Jones, attended the Denver Petroleum Club Charity Ball where $30,000 was raised for three nonprofit organizations. Mr. Jones serves on the Board of the DPC. Edward Blieszner, Chelsey Russell and Jennifer Cadena also attended the event. Read The Denver Post article here.
May 2014
Welborn Associates Chelsey Russell and Scott Turner recently presented FEDERAL LEASES AND EXPLORATORY UNITS: Issuance, Assignment and Administration of Federal Leases and Units at the Denver Association of Lease and Title Analysts (“DALTA”) 2014 Spring Seminar held in Denver, Colorado. Their power point presentation can be viewed here.
May 2014
Joshua Cannon, an associate in our Salt Lake City, Utah office was elected as the incoming Treasurer for the Utah Association of Professional Landmen (“UAPL”). Josh will serve in this position for the next year.
May 2014
On March 12, 2014, shareholder Rebecca W. Watson spoke to the Boone and Crockett Club dinner at the 79th Annual North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Denver, CO. The Boone and Crockett Club is the oldest conservation organization in the U.S. and the invitation only event included wildlife professionals from state and federal government, as well as Club members. Ms. Watson’s remarks focused on domestic energy production and regional wildlife mitigation. Click here to read the entire speech.
March 2014
Jennifer Cadena, an associate at Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Colorado Hispanic Bar Association. Established in 1977, the CHBA is comprised of dedicated lawyers committed to improving the life of Hispanics in Colorado and has been involved in several issues in that regard. The CHBA is also actively working on expanding the number of Hispanic attorneys in Colorado. Ms. Cadena’s term began in January
January 2014
Sheryl Howe and Scott Turner Recently Presented At The Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation’s Special Institute on Advanced Mineral Title Examination-Oil & Gas and Mining. Click here to read their presentation entitled Advanced Mineral Conveyancing and Title Issues.
January 23, 2014
J. Kenneth Barbe, a shareholder at Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley, has been appointed as Commissioner of the 7th Judicial District for Natrona County, Wyoming.
November 2013
Rebecca W. Watson, a shareholder at Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley, has been named in the 2013-14 Who’s Who in Energy special supplement by the Denver Business Journal. This is the second consecutive year Ms. Watson has been included in the listing. Rebecca’s professional areas of expertise include public land access and energy development for oil and gas, solar, wind, geothermal, and transmission with an emphasis on federal environmental law. She is an experienced advisor and trial lawyer in the areas of Federal Land Policy Management Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act and Clean Water Act.
November 2013
November 2013
November 2013
October 2013
October 2013
Rebecca W. Watson, a shareholder at Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley and Don Smith, Director of University of Denver Sturm College of Law’s Environmental and Natural Resources Program have written an op-ed on fracking for Christian Science Monitor. Read the article at http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Opinion/2013/1023/Oil-and-gas-development-is-key-to-US-future.-Don-t-ban-it.-Regulate-it?cmpid=addthis_email#.Umg1Fwn8lxE.email
October 2013
Welborn is a proud sponsor of the Third Annual Renewable Energy Law & Policy Summit entitled The World of Renewable Energy being held on October 18th at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
October 2013
The Casper (Hampton O’Neill) and Denver (Rebecca Watson, Jennifer Cadena and Joe Pierzchala) offices of Welborn successfully represented UR Energy USA Inc. in a federal challenge brought by Biodiversity Conservation Alliance under NEPA and FLPMA to the Bureau of Land Management’s authorization of the Lost Creek In-Situ Uranium Recovery Project in Sweetwater County. A preliminary injunction action was defeated in early 2013 and the Court ruled on the merits on September 18, 2013 upholding BLM’s decision to issue the Lost Creek ISR, LLC permit to mine. Attached is a Casper Star Tribune news article describing the in-situ uranium lawsuit
September 2013
Welborn Shareholder J. Kenneth Barbe serve on a panel of speaker addressing the question: Can Wyoming Have It All? Multiple Mineral/Energy Development in Wyoming: How to Make it Work at The Wyoming State Bar Annual Meeting & Judicial Conference in Gillette, Wyoming
September 2013
Welborn Associate, Scott Turner, participates in a panel discussion regarding Mineral Title Issues for the General Practitioner at The Wyoming State Bar Annual Meeting & Judicial Conference in Gillette, Wyoming
September 2013
GGI Disclaimer: GGI Geneva Group International (GGI) is a global Alliance of independent professional firms. GGI Geneva Group International AG, a company incorporated in accordance with the laws of Switzerland, operates solely as an administrative resource of the Alliance and therefore provides no legal, audit or other professional services of any type to third parties. Such services are provided solely by GGI member firms in their respective geographic areas. GGI and its member firms are legally distinct and separate entities. These entities are not and shall not be construed to be in the relationship of a parent firm, subsidiary, partner, joint venture, agent or a network. No member firm of GGI has any authority (actual, apparent, implied or otherwise) to obligate or bind GGI or any other GGI member firm in any manner whatsoever, equally, nor does GGI have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. All GGI members are independent firms, as such they all render their services entirely on their own account (including benefit and risk), without any involvement of GGI and/or other GGI member firms.
Summer 2013
Read Chapter 9 of The Landman’s Legal Handbook authored by our very own Kendor Jones, John F. (Jeff) Welborn and Chelsey Russell entitled Split Estates & Surface Access Issues. Click here to download a one-page order form for the entire handbook from the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
August 2013
Read the article The Global Impact of U.S. Oil and Gas Development authored by Rebecca W. Watson, a shareholder at Welborn, and Don Smith who directs the University of Denver Sturm College of Law Environmental & Natural Resources Program featured in The Denver Post on Sunday, August 25, 2013.
August 2013
August 2013
James M. Noble, a shareholder at Welborn, will serve as a Vice Chair of the ABA Mining and Mineral Extraction Committee for 2013-2014. The Mining and Mineral Extraction Committee provides a forum for research, study and discussion of the multitude of natural resources, energy and environmental issues facing the hardrock and coal mining industry, including sustainable development and climate change. Through articles and programs, the Committee brings together those with interest in national and international laws and policies guiding and regulating the mining industry.
August 2013
Jennifer Cadena, an associate at Welborn, was nominated and will serve on the ABA Public Lands and Resources Committee as Vice Chair for Social Media for 2013-2014. The Public Land and Resources Committee focuses on a broad array of federal land issues, as well as local, state and public land and resource issues. In the federal context, the Committee will consider federal land matters pertaining to the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, National Park Service, Wildlife Refuge Management system, military installations and other federal land holdings.
August 2013
Our firm has become a member of the North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC). The NDPC’s purpose is to provide governmental relations support to the more than 350 companies it represents who are involved in all aspects of the oil and gas industry including oil and gas production, refining, pipeline, mineral leasing, consulting, legal work, and oil field service activities in North Dakota, South Dakota, and the Rocky Mountain region.
July 2013
Rebecca W. Watson has been named Program Chair for the 60th Annual Institute of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation to be held in Vail, CO the third week of July 2014. In that position, she will be responsible for working with Foundation volunteers to develop, manage, write and present 29 separate educational presentations on oil and gas, mining, environmental and natural resource topics for lawyers and landmen at the two and a half days conference.
July 2013
The 59th Annual Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute takes place in Spokane, WA this year. Two of our shareholders, Amy Seneshen and Rebecca Watson, serve as Trustees-at-Large for the organization and will attend the Trustees Council Meeting on July 17th. Several other Welborn attorneys will also attend the 3 day conference. Complete details can be read by clicking the link above.
July 2013
Welborn is pleased to be a Reception Sponsor at the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation’s 59th Annual Mineral Law Institute.
July 2013
Rebecca W. Watson, a shareholder at Welborn, was re-elected to the 2013-2014 Board of Directors of Western Energy Alliance and Re-Appointed as Secretary during the June annual meeting.
June 2013
Congratulations to J. Kenneth “Ken” Barbe, a shareholder in our Casper, WY office on his selection to the 2013 Mountain States Super Lawyers list.
June 2013
May 2013
Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley, along with other members of Colorado’s energy industry, contributes to fundraiser for Wounded Warrior Project. Read the article at http://blogs.denverpost.com/thebalancesheet/?p=8867&preview=true
April 2013
Take a look at the Welborn 2013 Denver’s Best Lawyers® profile on page 12 at http://www.bestlawyers.com/Docs/Viewer.aspx?pub_id=31&year=2013. We extend congratulations to our six attorneys selected for this honor: Kendor Jones, Keith Tooley, Brian Tooley, Edward Blieszner, Rebecca Watson and Kenneth Barbe
March 2013
March 2013
Rebecca Watson will speak to the Public Lands Committee of the Utah State Bar in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. The focus of her talk will be a look back at the first term of the Obama administration’s public lands energy policy and a look forward at what a second term under a new Secretary might bring. This lunch event is co-sponsored by the Wallace Stegner Center and is free. Visit http://today.law.utah.edu/?events=public-land-energy-in-the-obama-era-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly for additional information.
March 2013
Congratulations to our legal administrator, Stacie Hedrick, who has been chosen as President-Elect of the Mile High Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators for the 2013-2014 Board year.
January 2013
Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley’s client, Fresh Takes Kitchen, is partnering with organizations such as recreation centers, after-school programs, neighborhood clubs and other community groups to offer affordable meal delivery/pickup programs to participants. For more information on this Denver-based company visit www.freshtakeskitchen.com or read the January 10, 2013 5280 magazine blog feature at www.5280.com
January 2013
Welborn is proud to sponsor the Denver Center Theatre Company’s Directors Society. We believe the arts are a vital part of every community and are delighted to support The Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
December 2012
Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley will serve as the Breakfast Keynote Sponsor for the Second Annual Renewable Energy Law & Policy Summit: Driving the Development of Renewable Energy on Friday, October 19, 2012 at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.
October 2012
Rebecca Watson Argues Before The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of energy companies challenging federal leasing.
September 2012
September 2012
Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year” making this accolade particularly significant.
Congratulations to Rebecca W. Watson Being Named Barrister’s Best For Colorado’s Best Renewable Energy Lawyer
September 2012
This honor originated from Law Week Colorado, Vol. 10 | No. 36 “It’s hard to pick a standout in this category – given the amount of news and work in this area – but Rebecca Watson is a star in our eyes. There’s not much she doesn’t know, so we tip our hat to her“. To see a full list of winners, visit www.LawWeekOnline.com
September 2012
Mineral Resources Development Water Needs: Water Supply Considerations, RMMLF Special Institute on The Water-Energy Nexus
September 2012
Presented by Welborn Attorney James Noble.
Hydraulic Fracturing and Water Supply Protection – Federal Regulatory Developments, RMMLF Journal, Vol. 49 | No. 2 | 2012
September 2012
Initially presented by Rebecca W. Watson and Nora R. Pincus at the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Special Institute entitled “The Water-Energy Nexus: Acquisition, Use and Disposal of Water for Energy and Mineral Development” and appeared in the Institute manual as Paper 6 (Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn. 2012).
The University of Colorado Denver Business School along with the Global Energy Management (GEM) Program will present its third annual energy forum, Energy – Moving Forward 2012 in October. Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley is proud to participate as a Bronze Sponsor of the event.
September 2012
2012 Colorado Bar examination is a Memorable Anniversary for Chelsey Russell, an associate at Welborn
July 2012
Chelsey gave birth to her daughter Hayden the Saturday before last year’s bar exam.
Shareholder Lisa V. Perry has passed the Nebraska State Bar examination.
July 2012
Shareholder Edward J. Blieszner moderates Water/Wastewater Trends Roundtable Discussion. Members of eight companies from the water/wastewater industry gathered at our offices to discuss current trends in the industry, including how recent economic and other factors are impacting their work. Click on the link to read complete article published in the ENR Mountain States June 25, 2012 edition.
June 2012
Rebecca W. Watson, a shareholder at Welborn, was re-elected to the 2012-2013 Board of Directors of Western Energy Alliance and Re-Appointed as Secretary during the June annual meeting.
June 2012
Darcy Levy will serve as the At-Large Council Member on the 2012-2013 CBA Natural Resources & Energy Law Section Executive Council joined by Kendor Jones as the NREL Delegate to CBA Board of Governors.
June 2012
June 2012
Welborn Shareholder, Rebecca Watson, will present The Role of Natural Gas as a “Bridge” Fuel during the Natural Resources Law Center’s Annual Clyde O. Martz Summer Conference on June 7, 2012
June 2012
Welborn Attorneys, Carolyn Burr and Rebecca Watson, present at The University of Denver Water Law Reviews 5th Annual Symposium
April 2012
Carolyn Burr and Rebecca Watson presented Water, Give Us Energy! at The University of Denver Water Law Reviews 5th Annual Symposium entitled “2012: The Year of Water”. Please contact JoAnne Gann at jgann@wsmtlaw.com if you would like a copy of their power point presentation.
Amy Seneshen, a shareholder at Welborn, participates in Law Week Colorado’s 1st Quarter Managing Partner Roundtable
March 2012
The topic for the 1st Quarter Roundtable was Should Firms Consider An Overhaul? It took on some big ideas, including a discussion about whether the legal industry should approach the game differently.
Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley teams with VOC
March 2012
Welborn will host a breakfast with representatives from the oil and gas industry on March 27, 2012 to learn more about Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (“VOC”) and opportunities to strengthen our mutual interests in statewide stewardship. Rebecca Watson, a shareholder with the firm, became a board member at VOC in July of 2011.
March 2012
On March 9, 2012 six of our attorneys attended a unique gathering of geologists, landmen, geophysicists, managers, attorneys and vendors at Breckenridge Ski Resort benefitting the Denver Association of Petroleum Landmen (DAPL) and the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists (RMAG). Pictured from left to right are: Joe Pierzchala, Darcy Levy, Chelsey Russell, Jed Franklin, Lisa Perry and Sheryl Howe.
Rebecca Watson Presents Energy Policy on Public Lands “New” and Old Energy, February 9, 2012 | (PDF)
February, 2012
Announcing Expansion of Welborn’s Casper, Wyoming Office | (PDF)
January, 2012
Rebecca Watson and Jeffrey Flege assist in Federal permitting for one of the first solar projects on public lands. | (PDF)
January, 2012
Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” Has Ranked Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley, P.C. in the National Tier 2 Firm for Oil & Gas Law | (PDF)
November, 2011
Best Lawyers® is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Achieving a high ranking is a special distinction that signals a unique combination of excellence and breadth of expertise.
Attorneys Joseph C. Pierzchala and Chelsey J. Russell Join Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley | (PDF)
November, 2011
Associates Scott Turner and Jeff Flege have passed the Wyoming Bar examination.
October, 2011
This will allow Scott and Jeff to assist clients with their oil and gas title needs in Wyoming. Associate Nora Pincus passed the Montana Bar examination.
Rebecca Watson Presents at CLE Seminar | (PDF)
September 29, 2011
Attorney Rebecca Watson presents “Energy & Water: Federal Clean Water Act Case & Policy Update” at the CLE Seminar on Water Law in Helena, MT.
Rebecca Watson Presents to UR 2011 | (PDF)
September 19, 2011
Attorney Rebecca Watson presents “Uranium Mining: Challenges of Coordination Between Federal Agencies” at the National Uranium Conference in Casper, WY. See related paper (PDF)
Rebecca Watson to Serve as Co-Chair at RMMLF Annual Meeting
August 2011
Rebecca Watson was asked to serve as co-chair of the Public Lands Section for the 2012 Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF) Annual Meeting.
Amy Seneshen elected to serve as RMMLF Trustee
July 2011
Amy Seneshen was elected in July 2011 to serve as a Trustee of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation for a two-year term. Amy recently completed her term as the Chair of the Natural Resources and Energy Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association.
July 2011
In July 2011, Rebecca Watson joined the Board of Directors of Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. On September 20, 2011, Xcel Energy donated $23,500 to Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. Throughout the 2011 season, Xcel Energy donated $250 to Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado for every home run hit at Coors Field. Jonathan Adelman from Xcel Energy presented the check to Ann Baker Easley (VOC Executive Director),Bob Van Wetter (VOC Board Chair), Jay Kenney (VOC Board Vice Chair), and Rebecca Watson (VOC Board Member). Support from companies like Xcel Energy means that Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado can continue to provide hands-on volunteer opportunities for Coloradoans to help protect, enhance, restore, and preserve our State’s natural resources.
Firm Attorneys Win in Oil and Gas 60-day Lease Issuance Case Cheyenne, Wyoming »
June 2011 (The Associated Press)
A judge has ruled that the Interior Department must abide by a deadline in the Mineral Leasing Act…
Rebecca Watson Hosts Wind & Solar Webinar | (PDF)
June 21, 2011
Rebecca Watson hosts “Public Land Wind & Solar: 2010 Lessons Learned and New 2011 Guidance” webinar.
Attorneys Carolyn F. Burr and James M. Noble Join Welborn Sullivan | (PDF)
June 2011 (Denver, CO)
Attorneys Carolyn F. Burr and James “Jim” M. Noble join the Energy and Natural Resources firm of Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley P.C.
Nora Pincus Speaks at the Colorado Women’s Bar Association Conference
June 11, 2011
Ms. Pincus gave a presentation entitled “Natural Resources Issues for Non-Natural Resource Practitioners: An Introduction to Basic Principles and Commonly-Encountered Issues” to conference attendees in Vail, CO
Firm Attorneys Challenge BLM’s Oil & Gas Policies »
May 2, 2011 (Oil & Gas Journal)
Litigators Rebecca Watson, Brian Tooley and Nora Pincus file a nationally significant lawsuit in USDC for the District of Wyoming on behalf of the Western Energy Alliance (formerly IPAMS) and six (6) oil and gas companies challenging the BLM’s failure to timely issue federal oil & gas leases.
Rebecca Watson Presents to DU Law School | (PDF)
April 27, 2011
Rebecca Watson presents “New (and Old) Energy on Public Lands” to DU Law students studying Oil and Gas Law.
Rebecca Watson Presents at RMMLF Special Institute | (PDF)
March 3, 2011
Rebecca Watson presents “Managing Cultural Resource Issues on Indian Lands” at the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Special Institute.
Jeff Welborn Offering Mediation and Arbitration Services
Founding member John (“Jeff”) Welborn focuses his legal practice on mediation and arbitration. Jeff serves as a mediator and arbitrator in disputes involving oil and gas, mining, and other natural resources issues. He has extensive experience in domestic oil and gas law, in domestic and international mining law, in natural resources regulatory matters, and in negotiating and drafting natural resource development agreements, financing arrangements, and conveyance documents. Jeff’s experience includes a variety of relevant legal and industry positions as: senior management in an international mining company; Commissioner and also Chair of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission; Chair of the Mineral Law Section of the Colorado Bar Association; Adjunct Professor in oil and gas, natural resources, and water law at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law; and, instructor on natura resources matters for continuing education seminars. Jeff is a graduate of Dartmouth (1968) and the University of Colorado School of Law (1972).