Alan J. Gilbert, Senior Advisor to Interior Department Secretary Ken Salazar, Speaks about the Department and Explains "Honors Attorney Program"

Alan J. Gilbert, Senior Advisor to U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, spoke yesterday at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.

Mr. Gilbert, who spoke about the work of the Department of Interior, was the March speaker in the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program's Speaker Series.

In particular, Mr. Gilbert noted several key initiatives that have been undertaken by the Department under the direction of Secretary Salazar, who formerly served as a U.S. Senator from Colorado as well as Colorado Attorney General.

One top initiative involves energy development on public lands. "This is very, very important," Mr. Gilbert noted. "President Obama and Secretary Salazar want to promote energy development on public lands," he said. The Obama Administration is particularly keen to encourage the development of utility-size renewable energy generation on public lands.

As part of this effort, Secretary Salazar has instituted a "fast track" program that encourages utility-size renewables projects on public lands. Moreover, the Department is working to make sure that the way the Bureau of Land Management reviews applications for these projects is more effectively integrated into the way the government looks at renewables.

A second top initiative is called the Water SMART Program, which is aimed at "finding more water in the west by managing public water resources better and more efficiently," Mr. Gilbert said.

The matter of improving consultation between the Department and Native American tribes is another key initiative. The Department's goal is to develop new processes that will facilitate and improve the consultations now and into the future, he said.

America's Great Outdoors: A Promise to Future Americans is also among Secretary Salazar's prioritities. This is an effort to protect special lands and waters managed by the Department across the country in consensus with the states, local authorities, and other interested parties as well as to reconnect Americans with the outdoors. An executive summary of this program can be accessed by clicking here.

Finally the Youth in the Great Outdoors, which emphasizes employing, educating, and engaging young people in the preservation of America's natural and cultural heritage, is another key priority for Secretary Salazar.

Before closing, Mr. Gilbert called special attention to the Honors Attorney Program, which is part of the Department's Office of the Solicitor. Current solicitor Hilary Tompkins reinstated the program last year, and he encouraged students to consider applying for it if they were interested in natural resources law work. The program, which is designed to recruit highly qualified junior attorneys, is 14 months in length during which Honors Attorneys work on the full range of environmental laws relating to management of the nation's public lands, national parks and wildlife refuges, general administrative and government business law, and law related to the U.S.' relationship with Indian Tribes.

Don Smith, Director of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Program, said, "It was a pleasure for the College of Law to host Alan Gilbert, a key long-time advisor to Secretary Salazar. Students benefit enormously by learning from individuals such as Mr. Gilbert, whose life experience is rich and expansive when it comes to understanding the country's resource policies. We at DU hope that Mr. Gilbert returns soon and often to the College of Law."

Mr. Gilbert has taught at the College of Law on several occasions, including serving as the prestigious Practitioner in Residence.

Editor's note: From left to right, Alan J. Gilbert, Law Professor K.K. DuVivier, Don Smith, Professor Emeritus and former U.S. Undersecretary for the U.S. Department of Interior John A. Carver Jr.

Alan Gilbert, Senior Advisor to U.S. Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, to Speak March 1 at Sturm College of Law

Alan Gilbert, Senior Advisor to U.S. Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar will speak about "Working at the Department of Interior" on Tuesday, March 1. Mr. Gilbert will speak in room 259 of the Ricketson Law Building at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Mr. Gilbert focuses on the Southwest and Rocky Mountain Regions for Secretary Salazar.

Mr. Gilbert has a rich and varied career in both public and private environmental and energy practices. He was a partner at the law firm of Holme, Roberts & Owen before assuming his current position. He also was a partner at the law firm of Sherman & Howard, where he practiced environmental and natural resources law for more than two decades.

In 1999, Mr. Gilbert joined the Office of the Colorado Attorney General and was appointed Colorado Solicitor General by then-Attorney General Ken Salazar. He served as Solicitor General for five years, managing more than 1,000 criminal and civil appellate cases annually for the state. Mr. Gilbert worked on matters as diverse as making public the secret records from the 1999 Columbine High School shootings to the successful settlement of the litigation over the cleanup of the Summitville Mine. Mr. Gilbert also served as then-Senator Ken Salazar’s Deputy Chief of Staff.

Professor K.K. DuVivier, who teaches Mining Law and Energy Law at the College of Law, said this about her former colleague Alan Gilbert:

The Senior Advisors are the eyes and ears of the Secretary of Interior in each of the regions, so having Alan Gilbert here with us is giving us access to the top. I worked with both Ken Salazar and Alan Gilbert when we were all associates at Sherman & Howard in the early 1980’s, and you could see then how well the two worked together. Mr. Gilbert would be too humble to admit it, but Ken Salazar’s trust and respect are reflected in his reliance on Alan's advice in almost every phase of his career as Colorado Attorney General, U.S. Senator, and now the U.S. Secretary of Interior. Mr. Gilbert has generously shared his time over the years with the Sturm College of Law as a guest lecturer and adjunct professor, and it is an honor for us to host his visit on March 1.

Mr. Gilbert has taught at the College of Law, including in 2008 and 2009 when he served as the prestigious Natural Resources Practitioner in Residence.

Mr. Gilbert's presentation, which is being sponsored by the Environmental and Natural Resources Law program as part of its Speakers Series, is open to the public. Lunch will be provided.