WilmerHale Bolsters Denver Presence with Prominent Energy and Natural Resources Partner

DENVER, COLO., April 29, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WilmerHale is pleased to announce that energy and natural resources lawyer Andrew L. Spielman has joined the firm as a partner. Mr. Spielman serves alongside Natalie Hanlon Leh as partner-in-charge of the firm's growing Denver office and also serves as co-chair of the firm's Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources Practice.

Mr. Spielman's arrival continues the firm's steady expansion in the Rocky Mountain region, which began early in 2014 with the establishment of the firm's Denver office, and recently expanded with the arrival of Ms. Hanlon Leh and fellow Intellectual Property and IP Litigation Partners Mindy Sooter and Benjamin Fernandez. The office—founded by former US Secretary of the Interior, US Senator and Colorado Attorney General Ken Salazar and former Chief of Staff and Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks for the US Department of the Interior and US Attorney for the District of Colorado Thomas Strickland—has enlarged the firm's footprint in the western United States and deepened its service to clients in several areas of signature strength, including energy, environmental and natural resources; investigations and litigation; intellectual property; and strategic response. WilmerHale is a premier law firm with 14 offices across the globe and renowned intellectual property, litigation and controversy, international arbitration, securities, regulatory and government affairs, and transactional practices.
"Andy is a significant addition to our Denver office and his arrival broadens our firmwide capabilities in energy, environmental and natural resources matters, which are areas of strategic focus for the firm," said Robert Novick, co-managing partner of WilmerHale. "His arrival is also a meaningful step in our continued efforts to add top talent as we extend our reach in this dynamic region."

Mr. Spielman—a Chambers USA-recognized practitioner—is widely regarded as a leading preeminent public lands, environmental and natural resources lawyer in the Rocky Mountain region. He serves as co-chair of the firm's Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources Practice with Washington DC-based Partner Carol Clayton. His practice involves administrative and regulatory proceedings and government relations, and centers around assisting energy clients with policy and regulatory issues involved in developing new facilities. He also represents ski areas, timber, mining, and oil and gas companies in the public land use and environmental permitting process.

"WilmerHale is an exceptional firm that I'm proud to be a part of," said Mr. Spielman. "My knowledge and experience complements the firm's environmental and energy capabilities, and I look forward to working with the many respected and talented individuals at WilmerHale."

In addition to Mr. Spielman's years of experience working with energy and natural resources clients in private practice, he has extensive government experience. He currently serves as Chairman of Colorado's Regional Air Quality Council and Vice Chair of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which is charged with regulating the state's oil and natural gas production. He was previously designated Special Assistant Attorney General, assisting the Colorado State Land Board with land use and natural resource leasing issues.

"Andy joining WilmerHale marks the second major step that the firm has taken in recent weeks to increase its presence in the Rocky Mountain region and reinforce its commitment to Colorado," said Mr. Salazar. "Andy's experience is a perfect fit with our strengths and strategy in the region, and we are very pleased to welcome him."

WilmerHale's Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources Practice is built on the firm's core strengths in the areas of public policy, regulation, litigation, and project finance and development. The practice's experienced attorneys represent high-level clients facing a surge in energy and environmental regulations stemming from the changing US and international regulatory landscape.

Biographical Information About Mr. Spielman
Mr. Spielman is a well-known practitioner, having earned consistent recognitions. He has been named the Best Renewable Energy Lawyer by Law Week Colorado; listed in Who's Who in Energy; named to the Denver Business Journal's 40 Under 40 list and The Colorado Statesman's 50 for the Future list; and ranked as a leading natural resources lawyer by Chambers USA.

Mr. Spielman is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his MGA in government administration and his BA. Following the completion of his graduate work, Mr. Spielman earned a Presidential Management Fellowship and later served in senior positions at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including as Acting Associate Director of the Office of Sustainable Ecosystems and Communities and as Special Assistant to the EPA's Administrator. Mr. Spielman's experience also includes positions at the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, as well as staff positions with the US Senate and with local government in parks, open space, utilities, and housing and economic development. He has served on campaign committees and the natural resources transition teams for Colorado's two most recently elected governors.

About Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP
WilmerHale provides legal representation across a comprehensive range of practice areas that are critical to the success of its clients. The law firm's leading Intellectual Property, Litigation/Controversy, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Securities, and Transactional Departments participate in some of the highest-profile legal and policy matters. With a staunch commitment to public service, the firm is renowned as a leader in pro bono representation. WilmerHale is 1,000 lawyers strong with 14 offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.wilmerhale.com.