Alumni Profile: JD and LLM Graduate David Makongo, A Leader in Africa-U.S. Natural Resources Business Relations

Dr. David Makongo PhD., a Denver Law '06 JD graduate as well as an '05 LLM graduate, has established Makongo & African Partners LLC (MAP LLC), a firm with expertise in African mining and oil and gas issues.

Addressing the "big business gap"as he describes it between Africa and foreign investors, he has global responsibility for due diligence investigations, negotiation of natural resources agreements, corporate social responsibility, FCPA compliance, permitting, government relations, local community and local partner(s) relations, business risk analysis and mitigation.

Dr. Makongo has extensive international experience, expertise, and success in Africa-North America business transactions. He founded MAP LLC for the purpose of "ensuring the success of North American businesses in Africa through negotiation of natural resources agreements, contract drafting, and acquisition of various mining and oil and gas properties and maintenance of good relationships between investor companies and host African nations."

Prior to founding MAP LLC, he was Director for African Affairs for Electrum USA Ltd. (Global Gold Group) based in Denver. While with Electrum he worked on projects in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, and Rwanda.

Before joining Electrum, Dr. Makongo was a consultant with Cougar Gold and a contracts officer for the International Royality Corporation. He has also worked with SCDP – Cameroon National Petroleum Depot.

In addition to his DU Law degrees Dr. Makongo holds the Honorary Degree of Doctorate of Philosophy in Humanities from the United Graduate College and Seminary and an LLB Degree from the University of Buea Cameroon.

Fluent in both English and French languages and knowledgeable in common law and civil law principles and practices, Dr. Makongo is a member of the American Bar Association, the International Bar Association (IBA), and the IBA's Mining Committee and the Anti-corruption Committee.

Don C. Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy Program, said, "David Makongo is in the process of establishing himself as an expert in identifying and negotiating important natural resources agreements across the whole of the African continent. David is an individual who has successfully combined legal knowledge with a keen eye for business opportunities.”

Denver Law Graduate Sheila Slocum Hollis Recognized with Prestigious Platts "Lifetime Achievement Award" for Contributions to the Energy Sector

Sheila Slocum Hollis, a Denver Law graduate, was recognized last week with the prestigious "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the 13th Annual Platts Global Energy Awards ceremony in New York.

According to Platts, one of the world's premier energy information providers, the Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes members of "our industry who [have] made an outstanding contribution to the development and future of the energy industry in the course of his or her career. The winner's achievements are the product of a long and varied career of service, creativity, and insight and this individual will have won widespread recognition and respect on the global stage."

Ms. Hollis, who is the chair of the Washington, D.C., office of Duane Morris, practices energy transactional and regulatory law both domestically and internationally. In 2010, she received the Paul Nordstorm Service Award for her contributions to the legal profession and the community from the Energy Bar Association and the Charitable Foundation of the Energy Bar Association. Recently she was named one of the 50 Key Women in Energy worldwide.

She began her energy law career as a trial lawyer at the Federal Power Commission from 1974 to 1975. She was the first director of the Office of Enforcement of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, establishing the office and its policies and procedures from 1977 to 1980. Those policies and procedures remain in place today. Over the course of her career, she has played a key role in the formation and implementation of energy law and policy.

When asked several years ago about her fondest DU memory, she said it was the first day of law school. "It was so exciting and thrilling to be at a school I admired," she said.

And speaking of being thrilled, we at Denver Law generally and the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program more specifically are thrilled for her and appreciative of her many contributions to us as well as the energy sector nationally and internationally. Leaders such as Sheila Slocum Hollis inspire all of us to be the best professionals we possibly can be.

Don C. Smith
Director
Environmental and Natural Resources Law

Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute to Hold 21st Annual Land Use Conference at Denver Law March 1-2, 2012

The Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute (RMLUI) will hold its 21st annual land use conference March 1 & 2, 2012, at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

Next year's conference will focus on "The Wilderness City: Nature Culture and Economy in the Next West."

In announcing the next conference, the RMLUI said, "Wilderness cities attempt to blend the wild and the urban seamlessly, to bring nature back into our communities. RMLUI's 2012 conference presents an opportunity to explore approaches to development that not only make Western communities vibrant economic centers, but also strengthen their connections to the land."

For more information about the conference, please click here. To register, please click here.

Japan's 2011 National Day Reception Hosted in Denver by Consulate General Ikuhiko Ono

The important relationship between Japan and the Rocky Mountain Region was recognized recently when the Consulate General of Japan in Denver hosted the 2011 National Day Reception, which commemorates the Emperor of Japan's birthday.

The National Day Reception was hosted by Consul General and Mrs. Ikuhiko Ono. Consul General Ono's office, which was established in 1999, is responsible for the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. There are approximately 10,000 Japanese citizens who live in the four state area as well as upwards of 100 Japanese companies.

Japan is the world's third largest economy and a major economic power in both Asia and globally.

Denver Law's Environmental and Natural Resources Law Graduate Program has welcomed a number of Japanese students. Our hope at Denver Law is to recruit more students from Japan, and thus it was a great honor to be invited to the National Day Reception and meet various individuals who are involved with maintaining the strong relationship between Japan and the United States.

Don C. Smith & Lucy Daberkow
Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program

Adjunct Professor William J. Brady to Present Paper at Intersol 2012 in Paris on US "Hydraulic Fracking" Regulations

The University of Denver Sturm College of Law is pleased to announce acceptance of a presentation by Adjunct Professor William J. Brady by the Scientific Committee of Intersol 2012.

Intersol, an annual conference on groundwater and soil contamination to be held this year in Paris, France, is one of the premiere European environmental conferences. Very well attended, with 485 scientists, government officials, environmental professionals, engineers, attorneys and academics in attendance last year in Lyon, Intersol expects more than 500 registrants and exhibitors this spring in Paris.

Offering instruction in hazardous waste, toxic torts, environmental insurance and a practitioner's focus on environmental protection at Denver Law, Adjunct Professor Brady has taught each year since 2000. He is also a partner at Grimshaw and Harring, PC, a 17th Street law firm serving the Denver Community for more than 55 years. Mr. Brady has practiced in Denver continuously since 1977.

Alumni profile: Amanda Hasty

Amanda Hasty, who earned a Masters of Resources Law Studies degree in '03 from Denver Law, is a co-founder and co-executive director of Impact Colorado. The organization was created in 2011 by Laura B. Embleton, JD '91, and Ms. Hasty, in response to an identified need to increase the awareness of Coloradoans on issues impacting Colorado residents.

Their vision is to create a non-profit organization to identify issues and develop solutions specific to Colorado’s economy, education, local governance, healthcare, and water. Impact Colorado provides a mobile classroom for participants to learn through exploration of the state. By connecting participants with local and state leaders, participants are provided with the knowledge, skills and techniques to partake in collaborative issue development.

Ms. Hasty is also the owner of BE Accord LLC, a business development company. She is a leadership coach and business consultant and assists companies in developing operational strategies to drive sustainable and community conscious businesses. In addition, she has facilitated growth strategies for not-for-profits in Colorado and New Mexico.

Additionally, she is an adjunct professor at the University of Denver where she teaches at the Women's College. Ms. Hasty volunteers as a mentor for the Greater Good Academy. She serves as an advisory member on the Diversity and Inclusiveness Committee at the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education and is a board member for Healthkind Foundation. HealthKind aspires to implement sustainable, community-based health and wellness programs and services in the developing world.

Ms. Hasty earned an Executive Masters of Business Administration from Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver.

It is great to see how alumni from Denver Law's graduate programs enjoy successful and fulfilling careers.

Denver Law LLM Graduate Student Sing Fai Hong Passes Chinese Bar Examination

Late last week I learned the wonderful news that one of Denver Law's Chinese students, Sing Fai Hong, has passed the Chinese Bar Examination. This is no small feat when one realizes that as recently as three years ago only 12 percent of those taking the bar exam actually passed.

This was a major accomplishment for Hong and clearly reflected his determination to join the legal profession in his home country. Making this all the more impressive is that he studied for and took the bar examination while he was an LLM student in the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Graduate Program at Denver Law.

As it turns out, I know Hong (or Nic as we came to know him) very well. He was in the Comparative Environmental Law course that I taught in the spring semester of 2011. He was attentive, curious, hard-working, respectful, in brief an all around joy to have as a student.

In wishing him well before he left Denver for the final time to return to Beijing, I only half kidded him that I expected to see his name in the Financial Times by next week!

On a more serious note, Nic has a great future ahead. He is destined to be a leader in China and in Asia when it comes to addressing the challenging environmental and natural resources issues that China faces. On the other hand, he is good at identifying opportunities that arise out of challenges. He also exemplifies a philosophy of building bridges, and I am confident that over time he will be an influential attorney in helping develop the increasingly important China-U.S. relationship.

All of us in Denver wish Nic well as he begins his legal career in China. We will miss him to be sure. However, I have a feeling we will be seeing him again.

Don C. Smith
Director
Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend from Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Happy Thanksgiving from Colorado, the home of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law as well as the Rocky Mountain National Park, which is located about 110 kilometers (about 75 miles) northwest of Denver.

Despite the cooler temperatures in Colorado in November, there are many excellent days to go for a hike. And that's exactly what I did Thanksgiving morning.

The park had few visitors, and it felt as if I had the entire place to myself. On the other hand, that's not taking account of the deer, elk, and various other animals who make the park their permanent home year around.

At the lower elevations (e.g., 7,000 feet or 2,300 meters), many of the hiking trails were snowless and dry. The higher up one goes, the more likely there will be snow and wetter conditions. But for the most part, the lower areas in the park are hikable nearly all year.

If you have never been to Colorado, come and see the park and drop by the Sturm College of Law. We are always available to "brag" about the great state of Colorado!

Don Smith
Director
Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program

Manual of European Environmental Policy Wins Major European Information Award; Denver Law Professor Member of the Manual's Advisory Board

The Manual of European Environmental Policy, the preeminent publication about European Union environmental policy, has received the European Information Association's 2011 Award for European Information Services.

Previously published as a loose-leaf printed reference, the Manual was re-launched as an on-line service in 2010. It has been extensively restructured to reflect the changing nature and development of European environmental policy, which in many cases represents the leading edge of environmental policy development in the world.

The Manual is written by an interdisciplinary team of experts from the London and Brussels-based Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), the leading center for the analysis and development of environmental and related policies in Europe.

Andrew Farmer, Director of Research and Head of the Industry, Waste, and Water Programme at IEEP and the Manual's editor, commented, "It is gratifying that the innovative features of the Manual were highlighted in the award."

Don Smith, director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Program at Denver Law, is a member of the Manual's Editorial Advisory Board. He said, "The Manual is the most systematic, reliable and comprehensive source of information on EU environmental policy. This is particularly important because in the eyes of many, the European Union is the most innovative and forward-looking governmental entity in terms of environmental policy."

Denver Law is one of the few law schools in North America that regularly offers a course in European Union Environmental Law & Policy.

More information about the Manual can be accessed by clicking here.

"The Renewable Energy Reader," Authored by Denver Law Professor K.K. DuVivier, Hits the Bookshelves; Is "First of Its" Kind Publication

Denver Law Professor K.K. DuVivier has authored the first renewable energy law textbook to be published in the United States.

The Renewable Energy Reader, which was published on November 7, is a concise, reader-friendly sourcebook for U.S. renewable energy law. Each chapter provides historical background as well as illustrations and technology charts to give readers context for better understanding renewable energy sources and related legal issues.

Each chapter also includes closely-edited excerpts from some of the most prominent primary and secondary legal sources—articles, cases, statutes, and regulations—highlighting current and potential legal challenges to the advancement of renewable resources. This book provides an accessible reference for lawyers, law students, policy-makers, and the general public, providing an overview of the significant legal implications of renewable energy development.

Before entering law school, Professor DuVivier, who teaches Renewable Energy Law as well as Energy Law, worked as a field geologist for a French uranium exploration company. According to Professor DuVivier:

"My technical background equipped me well for understanding and distilling the basic information that lawyers need to have to understand the different renewable energy power sources. Also, the Environmental and Natural Resources Law program at the Sturm College of Law has outstanding connections with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and local law firms that specialize in
renewable energy law. Through these contacts, some of whom teach at Denver Law, I was able to further enrich the book with charts, illustrations, and specific litigation and transactional information in the renewable energy context."

Don Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program at Denver Law, said, "Professor DuVivier has researched, carefully analyzed the underlying issues, and written a sourcebook that is destined to become one of the fundamental works in this area of law. Her approach is careful and her observations insightful. This is a must read for those interested in this dynamic area of the law."

A website, which can be accessed by clicking here, has been set up to support the book.

Denver Law Environmental and Natural Resources Program International Student Profile: Eduardo Paseta of Lima Peru

As part of our international student interview series, we would like to highlight the next talented student: Eduardo Paseta.

1. Where are you originally from? And where did you grow up? Tell us about your home city or region.
I was born and raised in Lima, Peru. Lima is the capital of Peru, located in the coast of the Pacific Ocean, and home of around 30% of the total population of Peru.

2. What is your educational background? When and where did you attend school and university?
I studied Law and obtained my degree in the University of Lima, in Lima, Peru. Then, I obtained three Graduate Diplomas. The first was the Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management in New Mining in Gerens School of Managment and Economics (www.gerens.org), the others were the Graduate Diploma in Mining and Environmental Law and the Graduate Diploma in Energy Law, both in the Graduate School of Peruvian University of Applied Sciences - UPC (www.postgrado.upc.edu.pe).

3. What experiences have you had, thus far in your career, in terms of addressing environmental or natural resources issues?
I have gained all my professional experience addressing environmental and natural resources issues at the Osterling Law Firm (www.osterlingfirm.com) and ANTAMINA Mining Company (www.antamina.com). The former is one of the most prestigious and longstanding law firms in Peru where I started mi especialization in environmental and natural resources. I participated in the elaboration and approval process of the Environmental Impact Studies of important mining projects as well as environmental and quality Certifications. In addition, I have designed and planned the permits and license strategy for the development of various mining projects, and performed legal audits in environmental aspects. I currently work at ANTAMINA, which is a company incorporated under Peruvian law, the product of a joint venture between four leading companies in the world mining industry (BHP Billiton, Xstrata, Teck and Mitsubishi Corporation). Antamina is a polymetallic mining complex that produces copper, zinc and molybdenum concentrates, and silver and lead concentrates as by products. The mine is located in the district of San Marcos, Ancash Region, 200 km. from the city of Huaraz at an average altitude of 4,300 meters above sea level. The company has its own port, called Punta Lobitos, which is located in the coastal province of Huarmey. Investment in Antamina (an initial investment of approximately U.S. $ 2.3 billion, plus U.S. $ 1.2 billion of investment in the expansion of its operations) is considered the highest in the history of Peruvian Mining Industry. Today it is among the largest Peruvian producers of copper and zinc concentrates and one of the ten largest mines in the world in terms of operating volume. My work as an in-house lawyer of Antamina has been to lead the area of regulatory affairs of the Legal Department and my main tasks are to design, implement and manage authorizations, permits and licenses for the implementation of the expansion program in Antamina (US$1.2 billions). I also provide legal assistance during the process to renew certain Certificates, such as ISPS Code for the port, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 for the mine and port, administer the company’s permits, authorizations, licenses and legal obligations management system, and perform internal periodic audits for evaluating the company’s legal compliance.

4. What are the key environmental and natural resources issues in your home country?
Illegal mining, direct waste drainage to water bodies (water quality), air pollution in urban areas, abandoned mines (mining liabilities), illegal timber, among others.

5. You have chosen to study at Denver Law. Why did you make this choice and what are you hoping to learn and experience while you are here?
One year and half ago, I decided to look for an specialized LL.M. program that can build over my expertise in mining, environmental and natural resources, rather than a general LLM. Searching for that special program, I sought carefully the LL.M. options in various universities in the U.S. and other countries, which included academic aspects, but also the location of those universities and the living experience they offer. From such research I have done, the excellent references I have received from other colleagues, and my campus visit last year (2010), I am convinced that Sturm College of Law is where I want to study.

Today, I have confirmed that University of Denver was the best option to take, not only for having a highly ranked program, but also the broad curriculum, its high quality professors, its administrative staff, its infrastructure available, and of course, its wonderful location in Denver, which is a quiet and beautiful city.

I'm hoping to learn more about mining and environmental law but with a different perspective, and to enhance my career and professional specialization. At the same time, I'm hoping to have an invaluable experience, enjoy the outdoors, make friends from different countries, and enjoy that experience with my wife (Veronica Morelli) who is also an LLM student.

6. What is your personal philosophy or point of view in terms of the relationship of the environment and natural resources?
In my opinion, every human action shall consider and evaluate its impacts in the environment and in the public health. In this respect, these human actions shall implement some measures to be in harmony with the environment, specially when those actions involve the use of natural resources. This is necessary because human beings have been consuming natural resources through the years without any care and recently in the last 30 years we have realized that our actions have consequences which could have irreversible damage to the environment and future generations.

Of course, this vision should go hand in hand with the economic development of countries and satisfaction of the humans needs of the moment.

7.Tell us something you would like us to know about your country.
Peru is a rich country in terms of natural resources and biodiversity. It has over 80% of the world's climate types and a diverse geography in a relatively small area. It is a huge scenario of altitudinal ecological zones (eco-strata's) and live species that make it one of the most important focuses of biodiversity in the world. According to a report from the World Bank in 2007, Peru is among the 12 countries that have 70% of the biological diversity in the Earth.

Peru is also one of the world centers of genetic resources of flora and fauna. For example, Peru is the only country with more than 3,000 varieties of potato, 36 species of corn and a notable variety of grains and Andean roots. In addition, Peru has 650 species of fruits and 787 varieties of edible, medical and ornamental plants. Moreover, Peru has 128 species of domesticated native plants. Finally, Peru has 28 of the 32 existing climates in the world, and in any of its 11 altitudinal ecological zones, new varieties of live species can still be found.

8. What is something about you that most people don't know about (for example, do you have an unusual hobby or have perhaps have had an unusual experience in your life)?
My hobby is playing soccer and traveling.

9. Who are your professional role models?
My current boss, the Legal Manager of Antamina.

10. What are your plans after completion of your degree?
In the professional aspect, and as an immediate plan, I will return to Peru and continue working at ANTAMINA Mining Company. In the personal aspect, my wife and I are planning to start a family and have our first daughter/son.

Lucy Daberkow, Associate Administrative Director, said: "Eduardo is an example of our program's diversity and high caliber of students."

2012 Natural Resources Distinguished Practitioner in Residence Thomas L. Sansonetti Welcomed to Sturm College of Law

The newest Denver Law Natural Resources Distinguished Practitioner in Residence, Thomas L. Sansonetti, who will serve in the position in the spring 2012 semester, was honored recently at a dinner hosted by Professor Jan Laitos and Carrie Noonan.

The annual dinner, which includes former Distinguished Practitioners in Residence as well as members of Denver Law's Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program (ENRL) faculty, welcomes the newest Distinguished Practitioner.

Mr. Sansonetti leads Holland & Hart's Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Practice Group, which is ranked as the best natural resources practice in the country by Best Lawyers in America. He was the Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice from 2001-2005. He served as Associate Solicitor for Energy and Resources in the Reagan Administration.

The Distinguished Natural Resources Practitioner in Residence Seminar is a "capstone seminar" taught each year in the spring semester by a prominent natural resources or environmental law lawyer who has extensive experience in energy, resources, or environmental law work. The focus of the seminar is on skills training including writing, dealing with technical or scientific matters in a legal context, and appearing before administrative agencies.

The former Distinguished Practitioners in Residence who attended the dinner were:

Robert D. Comer (2009 Practitioner in Residence), Special Counsel at Faegre & Benson. Mr. Comer has served in the senior executive service at the U.S. Department of Interior and as associate general counsel for a Fortune 500 mining, minerals processing, and speciality metals company.

Alan Gilbert (2008), Senior Advisor for the Rocky Mountains and the Southwest for U.S. Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar. Formerly Mr. Gilbert served as Mr. Salazar's deputy chief of staff in the U.S. Senate and as Solicitor General of the State of Colorado. He has also practiced law as a partner at Holme, Roberts & Owen as well as Sherman & Howard.

Howard Kenison (2010), Partner and Chair of the Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change practice at Lindquist & Vennum. Mr. Kenison is the former Colorado Deputy Attorney General in charge of Colorado's Superfund Litigation Section.

Rebecca Watson (2011), Partner at Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley. Ms. Watson has served in the U.S. Department of Interior as Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management in the George W. Bush Administration. She also served as Assistant General Counsel for Energy Policy at the U.S. Department of Energy in the George H.W. Bush Administration.

In the picture are, from lower left and going clockwise around the table, Professor Laitos, Associate Dean and Professor Fred Cheever, Robert D. Comer, Mr. Sansonetti, Professor Rock Pring, Professor Justin Pidot, Ms. Noonan, Alan Gilbert, Director of the ENRL Program Don Smith, Professor K.K. DuVivier, Rebecca Watson, and Howard Kenison.

The Distinguished Natural Resources Practitioner in Residence, which is organized by Professor Laitos, is now in its 23rd year. Students in the course are selected by Professor Laitos.

First Denver Law Renewable Energy Law & Policy Summit Considers Major Policy Drivers and Challenges for Renewables Industry

The inaugural meeting of the Renewable Energy Law & Policy Summit took place this week at Denver Law before a large audience of lawyers, utility company officials, government officials, policy makers, renewable energy business representatives, and students.

By all accounts, the Summit was a major success and further established Denver Law as a national leader in considering the legal and policy implications associated with the quickly accelerating discussion about renewable energy and its role in the energy sector.

The Summit, which was co-sponsored by Denver-based Holland & Hart and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), assembled an impressive array of renewable energy experts from all across the U.S. Two keynote speakers highlighted the program: David Eves, President and CEO of Public Service Company of Colorado, Dan Arvizu, Director of NREL.

Mr. Eves began the Summit with an overview of Xcel Energy's (the parent company of Public Service Company of Colorado) renewable strategy. He noted that Public Service Company has about 1,700 megawatts of installed wind power capacity. In particular, he explained that the company has in the last several years become better at managing the intermittency of the wind. Public Service also has 25 megawatts of utility scale solar power with another 60 megawatts under contract.

The further development of solar is intriguing, he said, because of the ability to locate solar panels closer to load centers and thus reduce the need for building major transmission lines. According to the American Wind Energy Association, Xcel has about 4,000 megawatts of installed wind capacity, the largest amount of any utility in the U.S.

The second keynote speaker, Dr. Arvizu, noted that renewable energy needed to be seen in the context of reducing carbon emissions, providing for energy security, and reducing the volatility of the cost of energy-producing fuels (e.g., oil and gas). He also said the renewable business is an international one, with some estimates that the size of the market is more than $200 billion per year.

Two key issues related to the world's current energy structure need special attention, he said. First, the "asset utilization" of the energy sector is only about 50 percent. Second, "life cycles" in the energy generation sector are very long -- perhaps as much as 50 years -- and thus energy businesses need policy certainty when deciding how to invest for future generating needs.

Summing up his thoughts, Dr. Arvizu said, the future of renewables is "not about whether technology can perform, it's about the political will to implement supporting policies. We need to have a more sophisticated discussion about what we want to do."

The Summit also featured four panels that addressed:

• "Survey of U.S. Laws Affecting the Siting and Development of Renewable Energy Projects," moderated by Denver Law Professor K.K. DuVivier, author of The Renewable Energy Reader


• "Regional and National Transmission Concerns and Progress," moderated by Mark Safty, Partner and Practice Group Leader for Holland & Hart's Energy & Infrastructure Group


• "Renewable Energy Incentives," moderated by Don Smith, Director of Denver Law's Environmental and Natural Rsources Law Program


• "The Future of Renewable Energy Law & Policy," moderated by Mr. Safty

Editor's note: Individuals in the first picture are from left to right: Kate Marks, Managing Director of the National Association of State Energy Officials; Veronica Morelli, Denver Law LLM student from Peru; Payal Sathe, Denver Law LLM graduate from India; and Bob Noun, Manager of Communications and External Affairs for NREL and Denver Law renewable energy adjunct professor. Individuals in the second picture are from left to right Fred Cheever, Associate Dean and Professor of Law; Mark Safty, Partner at Holland & Hart; Don Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Progarm; Dr. Dan Arvizu, Director of NREL; Professor K.K. DuVivier; Bob Noun of NREL.

International Students in Environmental and Natural Resources Law Graduate Program Enjoy an (Early) American Thanksgiving

Nine different countries were represented at a pre-Thanksgiving dinner at my house last Sunday.

The wide diversity of Denver Law's Environmental and Natural Resources Law Graduate Program is one of the many attributes that makes our program unique, and last Sunday we had a chance to recognize and celebrate that diversity.

Students from Brazil, China, Ghana, Japan, Peru, Russia, and Saudi Arabia were able to join Lucy Daberkow, associate administrative director for the program, and me, as we introduced the students to what a typical American Thanksgiving is like, complete with turkey and Denver Broncos football!

As it turned out, we also enjoyed great food and drinks from many of these countries in a setting more conducive to chatting than a typical busy day at the law school.

International students add an enormous richness to our program and to Denver Law more generally. They are both curious and resourceful. For many of the students, this is their first time in the U.S.

It is wonderful to watch them grow, develop, and gain confidence in themselves as their expertise deepens in environmental and natural resources law. Similarly, it is also a pleasure to learn from them and to hear about their countries and traditions.

Needless to say, these experiences continue to remind me how much we have in common together despite the fact that each of us comes from a different corner of the world and has a different life experience. The reality is that those who share an interest in learning oftentimes share a related interest in knowing about those they are less familiar with.

These students represent the next generation of leaders, both regionally and globally. It was a delight to host them at my home on Sunday.

Don Smith
Director
Environmental and Natural Resources Law Graduate Program

Profile on MRLS Alumnus Britta Strother, Interim Executive Director of South Metro Water Supply Authority

Britta Strother, who holds a Masters of Resources Law Studies degree from the Denver Law Environmental and Natural Resources Law Graduate Program, has been named Interim Executive Director of the South Metro Water Supply Authority (SMWSA). In this role, Ms. Stroher is responsible for the management of all activity that is taken by the SMWSA. She oversees the budget as well as all of the engineering, accounting and public relations work that are done.

Formed in 2004, the SMWSA is a regional water authority that includes most of Douglas and some of Arapahoe counties in Colorado. SMWSA provides its members with the necessary planning, negotiation and implementation tools to secure renewable water resources for their constituents. Some of the municipalities and special water districts that are part of SMWSA include: the town of Castle Rock, Parker Water and Sanitation District, Centennial Water and Sanitation District (Highlands Ranch), and East Cherry Creek Water and Sanitation District. A full list of members can be found by clicking here.

Ms. Strother joined SMWSA in September 2007 as the Water Resource Specialist. In this position, Ms. Strother was immediately involved in negotiations between members, evaluation of potential water rights purchases and regional studies for water infrastructure integration.

Holding a Masters in Resource Law Studies with specializations in water law and policy as well as environmental law and policy from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law provided Ms. Stroher with "unique and powerful tools for these responsibilities," according to Lucy Daberkow, Associate Administrative Director of the Denver Law program.

In February 2011, Ms. Strother was promoted to Water Resources Project Manager. Her role with the SMWSA expanded with this new position to include the coordination and development of infrastructure including pipelines, reservoirs and interconnects and also a greater management of the daily SMWSA needs (including budget development and project oversight).

As the SMWSA continues in the negotiations that her predecessor, Rod Kuharich, began, Ms. Strother hopes to bring a number of important supply projects to fruition in the coming months. One exciting project that the SMWSA is negotiating is the Water Infrastructure Supply Efficiency (WISE) Partnership, a regional delivery project between Denver Water, Aurora and SMWSA. The WISE Partnership contemplates sharing existing water rights and infrastructure from all three parties to serve the SMWSA with on average 10,000 acre-feet per year either directly into member’s respective distribution systems or into surface and aquifer storage. The three parties are currently in negotiations for the WISE delivery agreement, anticipated to be signed in early 2012. This project is one component to the SMWSA master plan to remove some of the strain on the non-renewable Denver basin ground water by delivering renewable surface water. It represents the forward thinking that is currently taking place to meet the current and anticipated future water demands of the Denver metropolitan area.

Ms. Daberkow said, "It is wonderful to see the important contributions that Ms. Strother is making to the critical issues of water supply in the arid Rocky Mountain West. By studying at Denver Law, Ms. Strother put in place an understanding of the important issues that will serve her well throughout her entire career.

Lincoln Bramwell, Chief Historian for USDA Forest Service, to Speak at Denver Law on November 14

Dr. Lincoln Bramwell, Chief Historian for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, will make a presentation at Denver Law on "Exurban Land Use in Colorado" on Monday, November 14 at noon in room 170.

Dr. Bramwell's presentation was announced by Liz Hutchinson, president of the sponsoring organization the Natural Resources and Environmental Law Society (NRELS).

In the middle part of the last century, Rocky Mountain-based developers began to design areas Dr. Bramwell refers to as "wilderburbs," groups of rural homes located close to cities. He argued in his dissertation that "when humans tried to blend suburban order and structure with untrammeled natural aesthetics and features, they created unintended consequences for residents, the land, and wildlife." His dissertation has been published as a book, "Wilderburbs: Nature, culture, and the rise of rural development in the Rocky Mountain West, 1960-2000." More information about the book can be obtained by clicking here.

In addition, NRELS has arranged for interested students to join Professor Rock Pring's Public Lands and Resources Law Class (Monday, November 14 from 2:45 – 4:00 in room 280 as long as there is space available) for Dr. Bramwell’s presentation on “The 1911 Weeks Act: The Law that ‘Nationalized’ the National Forests.” The act has enabled the Forest Service to purchase eroded and cut-over private lands in the eastern United States.

In 2009 when he was named historian for the Forest Service, Dr. Bramwell said, "In my position as the agency's historian, it is my goal to make Forest Service history more accessible to the public and more meaningful to the agency." Earlier in his career he worked on Forest Service hotshot and trail crews. "I had the opportunity to view the agency from the ground up and find working for it no less compelling today," he said.

Will Sarni, Director and Practice Leader at Deloitte Consulting's Sustainability and Climate Change Practice, to Speak at Denver Law November 9

Will Sarni, an internationally recognized thought leader on sustainability and corporate water strategies, will speak at Denver Law on November 9 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. in room 259. Mr. Sarni will speak about his sustainability practice and how that practice has changed in recent years.

Mr. Sarni has been providing sustainability, environmental and hydrogeological consulting services to private- and public-sector enterprises for more than three decades, with a focus on developing and implementing corporate-wide sustainability strategies, as well as broad based climate and water programs.

Mr. Sarni’s diverse client list includes Fortune 500 companies, multinational corporations and non- governmental organizations (NGOs). He has managed complex projects throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, working with some of the world’s most recognizable companies.

He is the author of Greening Brownfields: Remediation Through Sustainable Development and contributed to Environmental Regulation of Colorado Real Property. He is the author of the recently published, Corporate Water Strategies and the forthcoming book, Water Tech – A Guide to Innovation and Business Opportunities.

Mr. Sarni was a member of the Environmental Compliance Committee of the Chicago Climate Exchange and is active in the International Association of Hydrogeologists and The Conference Board. He was a sustainability adviser to the 2018/2022 US World Cup Bid Committee, a judge for the 2010 CleanTech Open and the Hult Global Case Challenge – Clean Water Crisis.

Don Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program that is sponsoring the event, said, "One of the aims of a Denver Law education is to introduce students to individuals whose professional experience reflects the cutting-edge issues -- and careers -- of our times. Will Sarni is one of these unique individuals who has built a reputation and a career in the area of sustainability. There is no more profound an example of a career in sustainability than the one that Will Sarni has built over the last several decades."

Commission on Presidential Debates Selects University of Denver to Host First 2012 President Debate

The Commission on Presidential Debates has selected the University of Denver as the host site for the first 2012 Presidential debate.

Robert Coombe, Chancellor of the University, made the announcement in Denver today. The debate will be held Wednesday, October 3, in the Magness Arena at the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness.

Chancellor Coombe said, "This is a historic event for our campus, our city, and our state. The national and international spotlight will be on the University of Denver. Our commitment to addressing the great issues of the day and serving the public good make this event a perfect fit for us."

Don Smith, director of the Sturm College of Law Environmental and Natural Resources Law (ENRL) program, said, "The first 2012 Presidential debate will take place just 200 meters from the law building. While it is too early to predict what topics the debate will focus on, what is clear is that resources, environment, and energy-related issues will be part of the national discussion as November 2012 approaches. Being part of the ENRL program at Denver Law means that students will not only be learning about the underlying policy issues, but also seeing them being debated right next door."

All tickets are assigned by the Commission on Presidential Debates, and the majority of these tickets will go to the two campaigns for distribution to their supporters. The details are still being worked out.

DU faculty and staff will be involved in special programming for students in order to provide hands-on opportunities to experience this historic event. The ENRL program will post more information as it becomes available about these opportunities.

Editor's note: Photo of candidates Barack Obama and John McCain from 2008 debate.

Denver Law Environmental and Natural Resources Program International Student Profile: Dela Obeng-Sakyi (Ghana)

Our next international student interview features Dela Obeng-Sakyi, an extremely accomplished lawyer from Ghana.

1. Where are you originally from? And where did you grow up? Tell us about your home city or region.

I am from Ghana, a West African country. I spent my childhood in Togo, a French-speaking country also in West Africa. I however went to High School and University in Ghana. I live in Accra, the capital of Ghana. Accra is a city bursting with commercial activity. There are many corporate and financial institutions, universities, hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, “open-air” markets, shops and beaches. It is the most developed city in Ghana. The people are warm, friendly and place a lot of emphasis on politeness and hospitality.

2. What is your educational background? When and where did you attend school and university?

I attended preschool and primary school at Ecole Francaise in Togo from 1979 to 1986. From 1987 to 1994 I attended High School in a girl’s boarding school called Wesley Girls High School in Cape Coast, one of the regions in Ghana. From 1996 to 1999 I read law at the University of Ghana, Legon and attended the Ghana Law School from 1999 to 2001.

3. What experiences have you had, thus far in your career, in terms of addressing environmental or natural resources issues?

I work with a regulatory agency, which monitors the operations of mining companies. I have visited communities located near mining concessions and seen the benefits and adverse effects that mining has had on those communities. Fortunately, I had the opportunity of being part of a team that reviewed the draft mining regulations that encompass most issues related to mining in Ghana. I therefore had a more practical and realistic view of what the real issues are. Although the regulations may not provide for every situation, I believe it is a good start and amendments can be made in the future.

4. What are the key environmental and natural resources issues in your home country?

The main environmental and natural resources issues facing Ghana are:

i) the pollution of rivers, streams, lakes from mining activities from both legal and illegal mining operations,

ii) flooding of most cities during the rainy season,

iii) deforestation from illegal timber logging, and

iv) smog, dust and toxic chemicals emanating from industrial operations.

5. You have chosen to study at Denver Law. Why did you make this choice and what are you hoping to learn and experience while you are here?

DU comes highly recommended from professionals in the mining industry. Since I am currently working in that industry, I believe that studying at DU would broaden my mind on environmental and natural resources laws of various countries as well as issues that other countries face. I am hoping that in gaining that knowledge, it would help me better understand the environment issues facing Ghana and hopefully give me ideas as to how to help the regulatory agency I work with address those issues.

Since I have been here I have met other students from other countries and I am hoping to learn more about their customs, culture, traditions as well as the environmental and mining laws that the countries endowed with mineral resources have.

6. What is your personal philosophy or point of view in terms of the relationship of the environment and natural resources?

I believe that the exploitation of natural resources is important for the development of countries endowed with those resources as well as the world as whole. However exploitation can have adverse effects on the environment as well as affected communities if not well done and monitored. It is therefore important to set up laws, regulations and guidelines to ensure efficient exploitation of mineral resources with as little adverse effect on the environment as possible.

7.Tell us something you would like us to know about your country.

Ghana is changing the face of Africa. There is political stability, economic growth, absence of civil strife, a good educational system and most recently the discovery of oil. Although Ghana has a central government, there are chiefs/kings who exercise some amount of authority over and represent the interests of a diversity of ethnic groups.

8. What is something about you that most people don't know about (for example, do you have an unusual hobby or have perhaps have had an unusual experience in your life)?

I am a conservative, quiet but friendly person. I would love to learn belly-dancing and perform before an audience.

9. Who are your professional role models?

Kojo Bentsi-Enchill, a lawyer and partner of the biggest and one of the leading firms in Ghana. He is a visionary and an upright person. I had the privilege of working for him for six (6) years and I think he is the most intelligent, astute yet humble and simple person I have ever met.

10. What are your plans after completion of your degree?

I intend to go back to my country and use the knowledge I have acquired from this program to help the regulatory agency I work for, regulate and manage the mining industry in a more efficient and practical manner.

Newest Member of Denver Law's Environmental Community, Yu Takanashi and his Mother Masumi, Visit the Law School

Masumi Takanashi, a Masters in Resource Law Studies student from Japan, and her son, Yu, recently visited the Sturm College of Law.

Ms. Takanashi, her husband, and little Yu will be returning to Japan soon, where she will finish her degree by means of a directed research project.

Don C. Smith, director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program, has known Ms. Takanshi as a student for nearly two years. He was pleased to see the new addition to Ms. Takanashi's family and said, "Yu has been provisionally admitted to the Denver Law class of 2036, when he will be 25 and among the youngest students at the law school!"

Editor's note: Mr. Smith and Ms. Takanashi and Yu in the top picture; Mr. Smith and Yu in the second picture; Ms. Takanashi, Yu, and Joan Policastri, Foreign, International, and Comparative Law Librarian in bottom picture.

Denver Law Environmental and Natural Resources International Student Profile: Tamiko Watanabe (Japan)

Our next international student profile features Tamiko Watanabe who shares very interesting information about her country and her background.

1. Where are you originally from? And where did you grow up? Tell us about your home city or region.
I’m Japanese and grew up in Kyoto. Kyoto is a former capital of Japan. It’s famous for old buildings such as shrines and temples and also traditional foods.
Each temple and shrine was built for a certain purpose. When you visit them, you will feel the differences. Traditional Kyoto food is served in very small portions, but the delicate artistic way of placing each piece of food is amazing.

2. What is your educational background? When and where did you attend school and university?
I graduated from Soka University in Tokyo in 2004 and my major was international law.

3. What experiences have you had, thus far in your career, in terms of addressing environmental or natural resources issues?
I haven’t experienced any environmental issues so far in my career, but I have attended many environmental workshops which helped me pay attention to environmental issues.

4. What are the key environmental and natural resources issues in your home country?
We don’t have a lot of natural resources and depend on getting our energy supplies from many other countries. Currently, we have a huge environmental and energy problem because of the earthquake and tsunami on March 11th.

5. You have chosen to study at Denver Law. Why did you make this choice and what are you hoping to learn and experience while you are here?
- This law school’s curriculum matched my needs.
- I had a specific professor who I wanted to learn from.

6. What is your personal philosophy or point of view in terms of the relationship of the environment and natural resources?
I tend to think of the natural environment much the same as a human. Every living thing is in a big circle; there is demand and supply. When I see a regulation or a rule only for humans, it makes me feel incongruous. Since humans can’t get out of the circle, people should pay more attention to the environment. I, however, understand the economic thinking and opinion of developing countries.

7. Tell us something you would like us to know about your country.
When you visit Japan, you have to know that there is no free wi-fi in public even if it's in Tokyo (you can barely find the free wi-fi )!!! If you really need to use an internet, you have to go to an internet café!!

8. What is something about you that most people don't know about (for example, do you have an unusual hobby or have perhaps have had an unusual experience in your life)?
I practiced karate in Japan and had an experience doing wheel chair karate. I had a competition for the demonstration of the wheel chair karate and got third-place medal. I found it is really difficult to use a wheel chair.

9. Who are your professional role models?
-Dr. Daisaku Ikeda who is a founder of the Soka University.
-Professor Ved. P. Nanda

10. What are your plans after completion of your degree?
I would like to apply for the optional professional training so as to have an environmental experience in the U.S. This will enhance my environmental knowledge and help me work in the environmental field in Japan in the future.

Denver Law Continues Tradition of Offering Highly Valuable Externships in the Environmental and Natural Resources Fields

A critical step in learning about environmental and natural resources law often involves experiential learning in the form of externships.

Denver Law's Legal Externship Program is regularly rated among the best in the nation. The Program is particularly strong in the context of providing a wide range of environmental and natural resources experiences.

Students in these types of externships benefit from learning "on the ground" about subjects they are studying in the classroom. Moreover, the externships often help students learn more about potential job opportunities.

In 2011, nearly three-quarters of all Denver Law JD students participated in an externship. Nearly half of Denver Law's LLM in Environmental and Natural Resouces Law students took part in an externship while 31 percent of Masters in Resource Law Studies students had an externship experience.

Don C. Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law program, said, "I hear over and over from our students how pleased they were with their externship experiences. For many students, this is a highlight of their study at Denver Law. It represents an opportunity for them to consolidate what they have learned in the classroom. As far many of our students and I are concerned, Denver Law has the finest environmental and natural resources law externship program in the nation."

Ann Vessels, Director of the Legal Externship program, said, "Denver Law is fortunate to be located in one of the premier legal centers in the world for the study and practice of environmental and natural resources law. Our students have the opportunity to work with leading federal, state and local government agencies, as well as international, national and local public interest organizations, and private law firms. One of our recent students described her experience this way:"

"This was the best experience I had in law school. The substantive work was both challenging and of significance to the office, so the bar was raised high. Working with a real client provided an invaluable bridge to the practice world one can’t get in a classroom. I worked on issues as varied as wind power development on federally managed lands and managing the size of the elk population on a federal refuge. The interaction with the attorneys in the office and the clients of the DOI was invaluable. My Mentor included me in every meeting or experience possible, and also offered great career advice." Kate Williams-Shuck, Externing with Dana Jacobsen, Department of the Interior, Solicitor’s Office, US Department of the Interior

Denver Law Launches New Series on Politics and Environmental and Natural Resources Policy: "A View From Washington" Takes Place October 14

Denver Law's Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program in conjunction with the nationally recognized law firm of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck will launch a series of four innovative panel discussions over the next two years that will explore the nexus between environmental and natural resources regulation and politics.

The first panel discussion, "A View From Washington: The Current State of Natural Resources Law," will take place October 14 from 4 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time at the Sturm College of Law. The discussion will also be available through webinar software.

Don Smith, Director of Denver Law's Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program, will moderate a conversation among three people who have served in important government posts and have also practiced environmental and natural resources law. They are:

• Alan Gilbert, Special Advisor to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar for the Rocky Mountains and the Southwest. Mr. Gilbert is a former partner at Holme, Roberts & Owen and Sherman & Howard.
• Dave Bernhardt, who practices in the Washington, D.C. offices of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, where he advises clients on environmental and natural resources issues originating from the U.S. Congress, the White House, federal agencies, and the courts. Mr. Bernhardt served as Solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior under President George W. Bush.
• Mark Mathews, a shareholder in Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck’s Denver office, where he is co-chair of the Natural Resources Group. Prior to joining the firm, he was a senior trial attorney in the Environmental Section of the U.S. Deptartment of Justice.

For those attending the panel discussion at the Sturm College of Law there will be a reception following the event.

Attendance is free. However, individuals must register to attend. Please click here for on-site or webinar registration details. You must register to attend.

Mr. Smith said, "This series of panel discussions represents an exceptional opportunity for those interested in the natural resources and environmental fields to hear from our nation's leading experts. The first session will feature three of the most highly regarded names in the county who will address the often vexing, but always interesting and challenging issues of the relationship between natural resources policy and politics. Denver Law is delighted to be partnering with Brownstein Hyatt Farber and Schreck to bring these discussions to all interested parties over the next two years."

2011 Carver Colloquium, to be Held at Denver Law October 20, is Energy Transmmission and Governance

The focus of the 2011 Carver Colloquium, to be held at Denver Law on October 20, is energy transmission and governance.

A major challenge with renewable energy is the development of a transmission infrastructure to connect rural sources to the urban users, often crossing local, state and regional jurisdictions along the way. The Carver Colloquium will feature former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. and Robin Kundis Craig, Associate Dean of the Florida State University College of Law, who will present two models of governance that could overcome this challenge.

The Carver Colloquium is an annual event hosted by the Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute and Professor Jan Laitos, the John. A Carver, Jr. Chair at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. The Colloquium presents divergent or alternative viewpoints on cutting-edge issues in these fields in a point-counterpoint format.

Former Colorado Governor Ritter is the Director of the Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) at Colorado State University. Ritter was elected as Colorado's 41st governor in 2006 and established Colorado as a national and international leader in renewable energy by building a New Energy Economy that is creating thousands of new jobs and establishing hundreds of new companies. Ritter served as Denver's District Attorney from 1993 to January 2005, where he earned a national reputation as one of the country's most effective and innovative prosecutors, and several of his programs continue to serve as state and national models.

Robin Kundis Craig is the Attorney's Title Professor of Law and Associate Dean for Environmental Programs at Florida State University College of Law. She specializes in all things water, including the Clean Water Act, water law and the public trust doctrine, water resources and climate change and the intersection of water issues and land issues. She is the author of several books and over 50 law review articles and book chapters. Professor Craig also serves as Chair of the American Bar Association Section on Environment, Energy, and Resources’ Marine Resources Committee. At Florida State, she teaches several courses and seminars, including: Environmental Law, Water Law, Civil Procedure, Property, International Biodiversity Law, and the Clean Water Act, as well as the Environmental and Land Use Law Certificate Seminar.

To register for the event, please click here.

2011 Denver Law Environmental Moot Court Results: Justine Shepherd, Jillian Kysor, and Jennifer Barnes to Represent DU in National Competition

The winners of Denver Law's 2011 Environmental Moot Court Competition have been announced.

The competition was organized by the Natural Resources and Environmental Law Society, a student-led organization focused on serving, educating, and providing information to law students about these key areas of the law.

Winning first place and recognized for the highest scoring briefs were Justine Shepherd and Jullian Kysor.

Finalists were Matthew Broderick and Carter Cassidy.

Best Oralist was Jennifer Barnes.

Ms. Shepherd, Ms. Kysor, and Ms. Barnes will represent Denver Law at Pace Law School's National Environmental Moot Court Competition in the spring of 2012.

The Denver Law competition attracted eight teams, double the number that participated in 2010.

Colonel Jan M. and Marjorie G. Laitos Scholarship for 2011 Awarded to MRLS Student Yewande Adeyemo

Yewande Adeyemo, a Denver Law Masters in Resource Law Studies graduate student, has been awarded the 2011 Colonel Jan M. and Marjorie G. Laitos Scholarship.

Established in 1997, this scholarship supports students of outstanding merit who demonstrate a sincere commitment to the study of natural resources and environmental law.

Ms. Adeyemo is particularly interested in the relationship between energy generation, economic development, and environmental protection. She has written,

"The field of energy is of growing interest for me as I pursue my education. I recognize how integral energy is to the economic viability of any country but also realize that society needs to acknowledge the negatives associated with the ways energy has traditionally been acquired and used. It is extremely important that the various industries, governmental agencies along with everyday consumers broaden their conceptualization of energy with concern to future needs and a growing demand."

Don C. Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law (ENRL) program, said, "Ms. Adeyemo joins a long list of former recipients of this scholarship. We are delighted she has been recognized with this award, which was generously established by Colonel and Mrs. Laitos in support of the ENRL program."

Editor's note: Ms. Adeyemo, on the left, with Lucy Daberkow, Assistant Administrative Director for the ENRL Graduate Program.

Joshua Epel, Chair of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, Speaks to Denver Law Students: Explains the Work of the PUC

Joshua Epel, Chair of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), spoke recently to a standing room only crowd of Denver Law students about the work of the PUC as well as the importance of integrity as a defining element of professionalism.

Chairman Epel noted the broad range of firms the PUC regulates, including intrastate telecommunications services, investor-owned electric, gas, and water utilities. The PUC also has partial regulatory control over municipal and electric associations. In addition, he talked about specific topics such as how the PUC conducts business, the roles of the various parties in a regulatory hearing, the relationship between state and federal regulators, and challenges in determining what is in "the public interest."

His remarks also touched on the need for legal professionals to carry out their responsibilities in a manner characterized by civility and integrity.

Don C. Smith, director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law (ENRL) Program, said, "It was a great honor for Denver Law to host Chairman Epel. In many respects, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission is involved in cutting-edge issues, and thus we were able to benefit from the Chairman's observations about the utilities sector as well as the work of PUC. It was an additional benefit to hear Chairman Epel's observations about the need for professionalism as part of a practitioner's overall identity. We are delighted he was able to join us."

Chairman Epel's remarks were part of the ENRL Speaker Series, a regular gathering at Denver Law featuring professionals working in the environmental and natural resources fields.

Editor's note: Left to right in the picture, Professor K.K. DuVivier, PUC Chair Joshua Epel, 2L student Jeff Breidenbach, ENRL Director Don Smith, 1L student Laurie Strong.

University of Denver Water Law Review Announces New Staff Members

The University of Denver Water Law Review has announced the newest additions to its editorial staff.

In making the announcement Matt Brodahl, Editor in Chief, said, "The Water Law Review accepted 21 new members this fall in what was one of the most competitive write-ons in recent memory. We are very excited to have such a great group of students joining the Water Law Review."

The new members are:

• Andrea Aguilera-Moreno
  
  
• Sarah Barth
  
  
• Jonathan Culwell
  
  
• Kelly DeLaney
  
  
• Tyler Geisert
  
  
• Elisabeth Hutchinson
  
  
• Alan Kitchen
  
  
• Amy Kho
  
  
• Max Lawrie
  
  
• Michael Lerch
  
  
• Zachariah Lockwood
  
  
• Patrick Peluso
  
  
• Anthony Perko
  
  
• Taylor Rork
  
  
• Darin Smith
  
  
• Robert Sykes
  
  
• Winslow Taylor
  
  
• Scott Thompson
  
  
• Matthew Watson
  
  
• Jessica Weiss
  
  
• Jessica Zaegel

First published in 1997, the Water Law Review is a practical resource for lawyers, policy makers, and students. Continued involvement in the water law community allows the Review to stay current on developing water issues. Every issue includes up to date articles on developing water law issues, as well as several other useful and interesting resources such as biographies of water practitioners, book notes, conference reports, and coverage of water cases from all U.S. federal and state courts.

The Water Law Review is a student run journal. Students are responsible for the production of the journal, from the solicitation of articles to the final content editing and publishing. Students gain valuable experience in legal research, writing, management, and water law from their involvement on the Water Law Review.

Denver Law Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program International Student Profile: Veronica Morelli (Peru)

Our Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Policy program is renowned for its student diversity. We'd like to highlight our international students and their very interesting backgrounds. The first one in this series is Veronica Morelli, an LLM student from Peru who has an extremely interesting background.

1. Where are you originally from? And where did you grow up? Tell us about your home city or region.

I was born and raised in Lima, Peru. Lima is the capital of Peru, located in the coast of the Pacific Ocean, and home of 9 of the 30 million total population of Peru.


2. What is your educational background? When and where did you attend school and university?

I studied Law in the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences (UPC), in Lima, Peru.


3. What experiences have you had, thus far in your career, in terms of addressing environmental or natural resources issues?

I've gained all my professional experience addressing environmental and natural resources issues at PERU LNG S.R.L, the company that built and currently operates the first LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) business in South America. The project required the elaboration and approval of several Social Environmental Impact Assessments, permitting for the use of natural resources (like water permits), land use planning and easements negotiation along PERU LNG's own 408 kilometer pipeline, port and marine permits and certifications, among others.

In addition, PERU LNG obtained a loan of $800 million from the International Development Bank, which constituted the largest loan for a private project ever made in Peru; the application for this financing required PERU LNG to meet several international environmental and social standards and guidelines, which were implemented by PERU LNG and its compliance is constantly supervised by lenders and Peruvian regulatory entities.

My work as an in house lawyer of PERU LNG has been to support the social and environmental teams in the previously described tasks.


4. What are the key environmental and natural resources issues in your home country?

Water quality, air pollution in urban areas, illegal mining and illegal timber.


5. You have chosen to study at Denver Law. Why did you make this choice and what are you hoping to learn and experience while you are here?

I decided to look for an LLM program that can expand my expertise in energy, environmental and natural resources, rather than a general LLM.

Searching for that special program, I studied very carefully the LLM options in various USA and European universities, including in my evaluation not only the academic aspects, but also the location of those universities and the living experience they offer. I concluded that Denver University was the best option to take, not only for having a highly ranked program, but also for its well defined course menu, its high quality professors, and its wonderful location in Denver, which is a quiet and beautiful city.

I'm hoping to learn more about energy and environmental law but with an international perspective. At the same time, I'm hoping to have a great living experience, enjoy the outdoors, make friends from different countries, and enjoy that experience with my husband (Eduardo Paseta) who is also an LLM student.


6. What is your personal philosophy or point of view in terms of the relationship of the environment and natural resources?

My answer is driven by my professional experience in the natural resources extractive sector. I believe that natural resources shall be developed responsibly and in harmony with the environment; the environmental and social aspects constitute the main consideration at the moment of making an investment decision, and continue being an important and core aspect during the development of the activity. Nowadays, it's inconceivable to think about the use of natural resources without having as a principal matter consideration of the environmental aspects involved in the execution of said activity.


7.Tell us something you would like us to know about your country.

Peru is a rich country in terms of natural resources and biodiversity. It is a huge scenario of altitudinal ecological zones (eco-stratas) and live species that make it one of the most important focuses of biodiversity in the world.

According to a report from the World Bank in 2007, Peru is among the 12 countries that have 70% of the biological diversity in the Earth. Peru is also one of the world centers of genetic resources of flora and fauna. For example, Peru is the only country with more than 3,000 varieties of potato, 36 species of corn and a notable variety of grains and Andean roots.

In addition, Peru has 650 species of fruits and 787 varieties of eating, medical and ornamental plants. Moreover, Peru has 128 species of domesticated native plants. From 4 of the most important crops for the alimentation of human kind (corn, wheat, rice and potato), Peru has a high genetic biodiversity in 2 of them: potato and corn. Finally, Peru has 28 of the 32 existing climates in the world, and in any of its 11 altitudinal ecological zones, new varieties of live species can still be found.


8. What is something about you that most people don't know about (for example, do you have an unusual hobby or have perhaps have had an unusual experience in your life)?

I don't have an unusual hobby nor have had an unusual experience in my life, but I guess most people don't know that I have a great ability for writing, and that one of my dreams is to write a novel someday.


9. Who are your professional role models?

My oldest sister, Marta.


10. What are your plans after completion of your degree?

In the professional aspect, and as an immediate plan, I will return to Peru and continue working at PERU LNG. In the personal aspect, my husband and I are planning to start a family and have our first daughter/son.