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Jim is a Partner in the Sheridan office and an Oil and Gas Practice Group Leader. As a lifelong Wyoming resident, Jim is passionate about bettering his home state. His interest in oil, gas, and renewable energy stems from an appreciation of the industry’s economic contributions to the citizens of the state and a desire to drive innovation within the field. 

His practice focuses on regulatory matters, due diligence, acquisitions and divestitures, and title work for the oil, gas, and energy industries. Jim has extensive experience representing clients before the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and also appears before the Wyoming Public Service Commission, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and the North Dakota Industrial Commission. He is on the front lines of carbon capture utilization and sequestration (“CCUS”), and can assist with all phases of CCUS projects from lease and right of way acquisition to permitting and unitization. Jim also represents clients in energy related litigation matters in state and federal courts and enjoys guiding clients through real estate and commercial transactions. 

Before joining the firm, Jim was a Judicial Clerk for Hon. Norman Young at the Ninth Judicial District Court in Lander, Wyoming. Jim previously served as a Public Defender for the State of Wyoming and was in a small Wyoming general practice firm before narrowing his practice to oil, gas, and energy in 2010. 

Outside of the practice of law, Jim enjoys spending time with his wife and supporting their two daughters in their athletic and educational endeavors. When not on the road, Jim enjoys golfing, boating, skiing, hockey, and motorcycling. 

  • Wyoming State Bar Association
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Nebraska State Bar Association
  • North Dakota State Bar Association
  • Wyoming Association of Professional Landmen
  • Leadership Wyoming (2018 Graduate)
  • Petroleum Association of Wyoming
  • The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law
  • Landman’s Association of North Dakota
  • American Association of Professional Landmen
  • Denver Association of Professional Landmen

  • Jim currently serves on the board for the Sheridan Ice Rink, serves as board vice president for a regional credit union, and is past president of the Downtown Sheridan Association.

  • Representation of mining company in eight-figure divestiture of mining project including title due diligence and curative.
  • Representation of private equity firm in the nine-figure acquisition of non-operated oil and gas leasehold interests in the Bakken formation – principally involved in the area of due diligence title review and defect curative.
  • Representation of private equity firm in the eight-figure acquisition of non-operated oil and gas leasehold interests in the Bakken formation – principally involved in the area of due diligence title review and defect curative.
  • Representation of oil and gas developers in regulatory filings related to the purchase and sale of an interstate pipeline facility.
  • Representation of a major public mining company in a nine-figure transaction for the purchase of two large operating mines.
  • Representation of small business owners in a six-figure asset acquisition of a cleaning and restoration business.