John R. Lee is a Partner in the Billings Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Department. His practice is concentrated on all aspects of oil and gas law, including title examination of federal, fee, state and Indian lands, division orders, formation of federal exploratory and enhanced recovery units, contract matters, and representing clients before state and federal regulatory agencies.
John received his Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota School of Law, where he was Order of the Coif. John is a member and Trustee of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, a Regional Director of the American Association of Professional Landmen, and a Past President of the Montana Association of Professional Landmen. He is admitted to practice law in both Montana and North Dakota. John also serves on the faculty of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation’s Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Short Course, teaching the subject areas of unitization, communitization and operations.
Practice Areas
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- Energy & Minerals Projects & Transactions
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- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Renewable Energy
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- Oil and Gas
- Lobbying, Regulatory and Administrative Affairs
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Oil and Gas Conservation Commission
- Title Examination
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- Regulatory and Administrative Affairs
Bar Admission
Montana, 1989
North Dakota, 1990
Education
1989 – J.D. with Distinction, University of North Dakota School of Law, Order of the Coif
1981 – B.S. in Business Administration, University of North Dakota, Magna Cum Laude
Honors & Awards
Best Lawyers’ 2016 Energy Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Billings
Best Lawyers in America for Energy Law and Natural Resources Law (2003-present)
Chambers USA – Leading Lawyers in Natural Resources & Environment
Community Involvement
Board Member, Billings Amateur Hockey League
Board Member, Boys and Girls Club of Yellowstone County
Professional Affiliations
Montana Association of Professional Landmen Past President
Director, Region VII, American Association of Professional Landmen
Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Trustee
State Bar of Montana
Presentations & Publications
Author: “Oil and Gas Operations and Environmental Regulations,” Montana Environmental Law Handbook (1992-1996); “Oil and Gas Title Due Diligence,” 2011 Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Special Institute on Due Diligence in Oil and Gas Transactions
Co-Author: “Unitization and Communitization Issues”