Theresa M. Sauer

Theresa Sauer specializes in supporting the development and operations sides of the upstream and midstream segments of the oil and gas industry on matters involving federal land access, species, surface right issues, midstream agreements, joint operating agreements, title issues, master service agreements, indemnity obligations, and legacy environmental concerns. Theresa provides a pragmatic approach to legal issues faced by energy companies. She is thorough, creative, and knows how to think outside the box to reach practical business solutions and achieve client objectives.

Theresa advises clients on matters involving surface rights issues, including state, federal and fee matters, unleased owners and cotenants, joint operating agreements, master services agreements, indemnity obligations, legacy environmental contamination, endangered species, disposal wells, and well control responses. She drafts and negotiates lease amendments, surface use agreements, surface and subsurface easements, water agreements, data trades, and various supply-chain agreements supporting development and operations.

Theresa recently served for three years as in-house counsel for one of the largest shale producers in the United States and supported the client's assets in the Eagle Ford in Texas and in Wamsutter, Wyoming. There, Theresa played a pivotal role in directing risk assessments and guiding operational decisions to ensure best outcomes, both financially and in compliance with environmental regulations. Theresa also oversaw litigation related to quiet title matters, royalty, surface, and working interest disputes, and contract disputes with service providers.

Theresa also counsels clients on the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and related issues, including options for operating in habitat of designated listed and candidate species as well as migratory birds, and works with federal regulators to process permits and documents. Theresa also counsels oil and gas companies on working through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as well as operating mineral leases on federal and Indian lands.

Theresa represents clients on matters involving energy-related litigation and natural resources development on federal lands and advises clients on permitting and regulatory compliance at the state and federal level.

Theresa's interest in the oil and gas industry began in 1999 when she served as a natural resources policy analyst for former Governor Bill Owens. Since then, Theresa has served as a public affairs officer for the Colorado Bureau of Land Management, where she worked directly with program leads on issues including oil and gas lease sales, implementation of a nationwide oil shale policy, creation of the Roan Plateau RMP, travel management, recreation, antiquities, and species conservation. Theresa also assisted the Colorado Oil & Gas Association with public relations matters prior to attending law school.

Following law school Theresa served as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge William J. Martinez. Theresa also has experience as a hearings officer at the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and as a law clerk for the Natural Resources and Environment Division within the Colorado Attorney General's Office.