Denise Dragoo's practice focuses on natural resources, coal law, water law, environmental law, mining law, public land law, issues affecting the oil and gas industry, mine safety and health law.
Representative Presentations and Publications
• Welcome Reforms in Federal Coal Leasing, Permitting and NEPA Streamlining, Author, Environmental & Natural Resources Law Blog (October 22, 2018)
• Welcome Reforms in U.S. DOI Coal Leasing, Permitting and NEPA Streamlining, Presenter, Utah State University Coal Symposium (October 18, 2018)
•“2018 Legislative Session Supports Rural Jobs, Mining and Natural Resource Infrastructure Development, ” Author, The Enterprise (April 16, 2018)
• The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Environment & Climate Change Law 2018, Author of United States Chapter (April 2018)
• Utah’s Coal Industry Receives Much Needed Regulatory Relief, Author, Utah Mining Focus (Volume VI, Issue 3)
•“The First 100 Days of the Trump Administration Delivers Much Needed Relief to the Coal Industry,” Presenter, Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute Colorado/Utah 2017 Regional Meeting (May 18, 2017)
•“Infrastructure development: Utah takes a page from Trump policies, ” Author, The Enterprise - Utah’s Business Journal (April 17, 2017)
• The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Environment & Climate Change Law 2017, Co-Author of United States Chapter (April 2017)
• EPA Must Consider Regulatory Impacts on Coal/Utility Industry Jobs and Plant Closure, Author, Utah Mining Focus (December 2016)
•“New Law Provides Incentives for Energy, Environmental Development,” Co-Author, The Enterprise (June 8, 2015)
•“Utah’s Infrastructure Tax Credit Should Help Expansion of Mining Projects in Urban and Rural Counties,” Co-Author, Mining Focus (Volume IV, Issue 3)
• Hydraulic Fracturing on Public Land: States Regulate While Feds Contemplate, Co-Author, Public Land and Resources Committee Newsletter, American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, Volume 11, Issue 1 (August 2014)
• Tighter Regulations Amid the Fracking Fray, Co-Author, The National Law Journal (November 4, 2013)
• The Environmental Division, Feature Article, Mountain States Super Lawyers (July 2012)
• New NEPA Challenges for Project Development on Public Lands, Author, Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn., 4B (2009)
• Coal Mine Closure, Reclamation, and Financial Assurance Under the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, Mine Closure, Financial Assurance, and Final Reclamation, Co-Author, Paper No. 7, Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn., 7-1 (2009)
Professional Recognition and Awards
•Utah State Bar Outstanding New Lawyer Training Program Award (2018)
•University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law Alumna of the Year (2016)
•The Best Lawyers in America, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Environmental Litigation, Government Relations Practice, Mining Law, Natural Resources Law (2006-2020)
•Salt Lake City Lawyer of the Year, Natural Resources Law (2017)
•Salt Lake City Lawyer of the Year, Mining Law (2015)
•Salt Lake City Lawyer of the Year, Government Relations Practice (2014)
•Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Energy & Natural Resources (2010-2020)
•Mountain States Super Lawyers, Energy & Resources (2007-2019)
•Top 50 Women (2013-2014, 2016-2019)
•Top 40 Women (2007-2011)
•Lawdragon Top 3000 Leading Lawyers in America (2010-2011)
•Super Lawyers, Energy & Resources - Business Edition (2011)
•Super Lawyers, Energy & Resources - Corporate Counsel Edition (2009-2010)
•Utah's Legal Elite: Energy/Natural Resources (2009-2011, 2013-2019), Environmental (2012, 2020), Utah Business Magazine
Community Involvement
•Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Board of Trustees (2017-present)
•State Law Resources Board, Chair (2013-2014)
•Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Trustee
•Grants Committee, Chair
•Special Institutes Committee, Member
•Mountain States Legal Foundation
•Litigation Board, Past Chair, Member
•Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute, Immediate Past President
•100th Annual Meeting Program, President (2012)
•Board Member
•Utah Museum of Natural History, Fundraising Committee
•Utah Law & Justice Center
•Founding Board Member
•Alta Club, Board of Directors (2012-2015)
•Junior League of Salt Lake City
•Community Outreach Board of Directors, Member
•Legal Aid Society
•Board Member (1993-2005)
•Chair (1999-2001)
• And Justice for All, Board Member (1998-2005)
•Salt Lake City Land Use Appeals Board (1996-2005)
•Salt Lake City Futures Commission (1996-1998)
Other Professional Experience
•Appointed by Governor Gary R. Herbert to serve as a member of the Utah Governor’s Energy Advisory Council. This Council provides guidance to the Office of Energy Development (OED) and the Governor regarding the rapidly changing energy landscape in Utah, nationally and abroad. Council members are selected for their comprehensive breadth of experience in the energy sector. Their tasks include reviewing Utah State’s Energy Policy, OED’s activities in energy planning (including Utah Energy Infrastructure Authority and the state’s new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan), as well as OED’s incentives, programs and other direct engagements. (2015-2020)
•Van Cott, Bagley, Cornwall and McCarthy, Shareholder, Officer, Director
•Fabian and Clendenin, Shareholder, Director
•State of Utah, Department of Natural Resources, Special Assistant Attorney General
Related News & Events
• Mar 03
Denise Dragoo Authors the USA Chapter of 17th Edition of Environment & Climate Change Law 2020, An International Comparative Legal Guide
• Mar 02
Snell & Wilmer Attorneys Recognized by Utah Business Magazine As 2020 Utah Legal Elite
• Jan 28
Denise A. Dragoo Elected President of the Alta Club
• Jun 13
Mountain States Super Lawyers 2019 Recognizes 26 Utah Snell & Wilmer Attorneys
• Apr 26
Chambers USA 2019 Recognizes Snell & Wilmer in Multiple Categories and Names 44 Attorneys as Leaders in their Field
• Nov 15
Utah State Bar Honors Snell & Wilmer Partner Denise Dragoo with the 2018 NLTP Outstanding Mentor Award
• Aug 15
139 Snell & Wilmer Lawyers Listed as Leaders in Their Fields by The Best Lawyers in America 2019
Eleven Snell & Wilmer attorneys recognized as a 2019 Lawyer of the Year
• Jun 11
Mountain States Super Lawyers 2018 Recognizes 21 Utah Snell & Wilmer Attorneys
• May 03
Chambers USA 2018 Recognizes Snell & Wilmer in Multiple Categories and Names 46 Attorneys as Leaders in Their Field
• Feb 01
Utah Legal Elite Recognizes 23 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys
• Aug 15
The Best Lawyers in America 2018 Lists 133 Snell & Wilmer Lawyers as Leaders in Their Field
• Jun 12
Mountain States Super Lawyers 2017 Recognizes 21 Utah Snell & Wilmer Attorneys
• May 31
Chambers USA 2017 Recognizes Snell & Wilmer in Multiple Categories and Names 43 Attorneys
• Apr 17
Infrastructure development: Utah takes a page from Trump policies
The Enterprise - Utah's Business Journal
• Apr 01
The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Environment & Climate Change Law 2017
Chapter 26: USA
• Mar 14
Snell & Wilmer Partner Denise Dragoo Nominated to Utah Museum of Contemporary Art Board of Trustees
• Feb 01
Utah Legal Elite Recognizes 27 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys
• Dec 12
EPA Must Consider Regulatory Impacts on Coal/Utility Industry Jobs and Plant Closure
Utah Mining Focus
• Aug 15
The Best Lawyers in America 2017 Lists 125 Snell & Wilmer Lawyers As Leaders In Their Field
In addition, 15 Snell & Wilmer attorneys recognized as a 2017 “Lawyer of the Year”
• Jun 13
Mountain States Super Lawyers 2016 Recognizes 43 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys
• May 27
Chambers USA 2016 Recognizes Snell & Wilmer in Multiple Categories and Names 42 Attorneys
• May 04
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law Honors Snell & Wilmer Partner Denise Dragoo with Alumna of the Year
• Apr 01
The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Environment & Climate Change Law 2016
USA Chapter
• Mar 18
Utah Legal Elite Recognizes 23 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys
• Aug 17
The Best Lawyers in America 2016 Lists 128 Snell & Wilmer Lawyers as Leaders in their Field
In addition, 19 Snell & Wilmer attorneys recognized as a 2016 “Lawyer of the Year”
• Jun 12
Mountain States Super Lawyers 2015 Recognizes 42 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys
• May 19
Chambers USA Recognizes Snell & Wilmer in Multiple Categories and Names 42 Attorneys as Leaders in Their Field
• Feb 12
25 Snell & Wilmer Attorneys Named to 2015 Utah Legal Elite
• Aug 18
The Best Lawyers in America 2015 Lists 123 Snell & Wilmer Lawyers as Leaders in Their Field
• May 23
Chambers USA Recognizes Snell & Wilmer in Multiple Categories and Names 38 Attorneys as 'Leaders in Their Field'
Related Publications
• Mar 17
Under Construction - March 2017
• Jul 29
Legal Alert - D.C. Circuit Validates EPA’s Consultation Process for Reviewing Clean Water Act Permits
• Apr 30
Legal Alert - Utah Tax Credit Extended to Solar Energy Systems
• Jul 17
2008 Mountain States Super Lawyers
