Jason counsels clients through complex natural resource litigation, compliance, and regulatory issues arising under a wide array of federal natural resource and energy statutes and regulations.

With over 20 years of experience in the environmental and natural resources space, Jason provides clients with strategic solutions to business and operational challenges set in motion by intricate natural resource laws. Particularly, those statutes and regulations surrounding federal public lands, extraction of mineral resources, environmental justice, and sensitive resource preservation and protection.

With a background in administrative law, as it relates to energy and mineral resource issues, Jason provides guidance on compliance with the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act (FOGRMA), the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA), and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA).

Jason’s understanding of regulations and the agencies that enforce them stems from his government experience. He served in several high-ranking positions at the Department of the Interior (DOI), including as the immediate former Chief Administrative Judge of the Interior Board of Land Appeals, former Deputy Solicitor for Energy & Mineral Resources, and former senior counselor for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Jason also served as a trial attorney at the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the Natural Resources Section of the Environment & Natural Resources Division for a decade, where he was lead attorney in defense of numerous challenges brought through the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), with a particular emphasis on cases brought under various natural resource and land management regulations. Jason deploys this experience when helping clients navigate federal agency programs, operations, and regulatory developments.

Jason addresses client matters in a holistic fashion while recognizing the unique factors and internal operations of federal agencies to develop strategic solutions for his clients. He is familiar with the regulatory frameworks utilized by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Office of Surface Mining, Reclamation, and Enforcement (OSM), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR), and Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA).

After earning his Juris Doctor degree, Jason completed his Master of Laws in Environmental and Natural Resources Law at Lewis & Clark.

Relevant Experience

• Advised on issues related to onshore and offshore oil and gas leasing, coal and other mineral leasing, implementation and enforcement of the SMCRA, administration of the Mining Law of 1872, geothermal leasing, and onshore and offshore renewable energy projects.
• Collaborated with environmental and industrial groups, private and public entities and individuals, Indian tribes, congressional committees, White House officials, state, local and other governmental officials.
• Lead attorney in defense of numerous challenges brought through the APA, with a particular emphasis on cases brought under NEPA, FOGRMA, and OCSLA.
• Defended the BLM’s then-largest onshore oil and gas lease sale, which eventually ended in a successful multi-party settlement, and oversaw management of litigation for BLM’s largest onshore lease sale.
• Defended the BLM’s approval of numerous master development plans and applications to permit drilling.

• Lead attorney in defense of the ONRR and its assessment of royalties in several cases (DOJ award received).
• Lead attorney in defense of several challenges to federal highway infrastructure projects brought under NEPA and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act.
• Served on the NEPA Subcommittee of the Environmental Justice Task Force.

Bar Admissions

Education
LLM, Environmental and Natural Resources Law, Lewis & Clark Law School, 2006JD, University of Houston Law Center, 2001MES, Baylor University, 1998BA, Environmental Studies and Philosophy, Baylor University, 1996

• Department of the Interior Funding for State Orphaned Well Programs, Pratt’s Energy Law Report
• Expansion of Environmental Justice and Title VI Scrutiny Raises New Questions for Heavy Industry Projects in Texas, The Texas Lawbook
• Commentary: EPA Must Approve Primacy for Texas CCS Wells, Hart Energy
• Analysis: US federal leasing strategy will continue to evolve, Offshore Magazine
• Analysis: US federal leasing strategy will continue to evolve, Offshore Magazine
• M&A Quarterly Reporter – 2022 Q1
• California offshore wind: What's next following the $757 million auction, Renewable Energy World
• Power to Launch: Creation of Federal-State Offshore Wind Implementation Partnership, The National Law Review
• Federal leasing update: What to Watch for in 2022, Offshore Magazine