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Mike Wozniak has served the energy and natural resources industry for more than 25 years. Before aligning with Mike Beatty’s legal team, he served as Partner-in-Charge of Dorsey and Whitney LLP’s Denver office and head of its Denver Energy Regulatory Group.
He also practiced for 20 years with the Clanahan, Tanner firm before joining Dorsey, where he chaired their Natural Resources Practice Group. He earned his J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1980.
Mike was drawn to energy and natural resources law soon after beginning his legal career. He found his passion for representing companies who “can develop natural resources with an environmental ethic and do it properly.” Notable accomplishments include the representation of industry clients before the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission in “down spacing” the Colorado San Juan Basin Coalbed Methane Area, along with his recent representation of a public company in its $575 million divestiture of Rocky Mountain producing properties.
Mike says, “Energy clients are risk takers, and they’re willing to take a reasonable risk for the potential of a large reward. Our clients want an attorney who understands reserve risks, regulatory risks and commodity volatility.“
Mike firmly believes that Beatty & Wozniak is the preeminent energy and natural resources firm in the Rocky Mountain region. “We cover every area of energy law: regulatory work, title work, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, and transaction work. We believe our industry focus is well received by Rocky Mountain energy companies.”
In 2006 and 2007, Mike was named a Colorado Super Lawyer in Energy/Oil & Gas Law through independent research conducted by Law & Politics to determine the top 5% of Colorado attorneys in more than 60 practice areas. He was also selected by The Best Lawyers in America 2006 as a top lawyer in the Natural Resources Law and Energy/Public Utilities Law categories.
Active in community and governmental affairs, Mike currently serves as Mayor of the City of Cherry Hills Village. He is a member of the Executive Council of the Colorado Bar Association’s Energy and Natural Resources Section, and also sits on the IPAMS Board of Directors Executive Committee.
Like Mike Beatty, Mike Wozniak is a frequent lecturer on matters relating to energy law and has presented papers at the 2002 and 2006 Annual Institutes of The Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, is the chair of the Foundation's short course on federal Oil & Gas leasing in 2007 and addressed the 2007 IOGCC convention. He is licensed to practice law in the states of Colorado and Wyoming, and is a member of the Colorado, Wyoming, Southern Ute Tribe, and Federal Energy Bar Associations.
According to Mike, a good energy lawyer must cultivate a personal passion for the industry and also be able to resonate with and support the client’s overall business vision. “Working in partnership to fulfill the client’s best interests,” he says, “is much easier when practicing natural resources law is something that you love. I treasure the amazing personal relationships I have developed with industry people over the years.”
Colorado’s natural beauty, outdoor activities, and natural resources brought Mike Wozniak to Colorado in 1976. Between his practice and three beautiful daughters, he tries to find time to visit his ranch in Southern Colorado. |
