Partner Cheyenne Office 2515 Warren Avenue, Suite 450 Cheyenne, WY 82001-3162 Phone: 307-778-4200 Fax: 307-778-8175 tlsansonetti@hollandhart.com

PRACTICE AREAS

Water Litigtion Environmental Compliance Endangered Species Water Quality Appeals

Mr. Sansonetti served as the Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) of the Department of Justice from December 2001-April 2005. As one of the top leaders in the Justice Department, he was deeply involved in responding to post-9/11 events, including working with the new Department of Homeland Security. He managed a budget of $115 million and supervised 650 employees including a legal staff of 425 attorneys.  In that role he oversaw all federal litigation involving the Bureau of Reclamation, the National Marine and Fisheries Service and endangered fish species.

Mr. Sansonetti rejoined Holland & Hart's Cheyenne, Wyoming office on May 1, 2005.  He is a recognized expert in water rights, water quality, the Endangered Species Act, Indian law, natural resource damage assessments, and many other areas of natural resources law. He has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and in the Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal, and served as a federal prosecutor in environmental crimes cases.

Mr. Sansonetti joined Holland & Hart in 1993, where he developed a national practice in natural resources and environmental law. From 1990 to 1993, Mr. Sansonetti was Solicitor of the Department of the Interior, the number three ranking position in DOI. During his tenure, he signed the $1.1B Exxon Valdez oil spill settlement, having served as one of the six federal negotiators, and was Counsel to the Endangered Species Committee for the Spotted Owl hearings in Oregon.  He advised Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan on all legal matters involving water.

In that position he supervised the attorneys providing legal advice to the Assistant Secretary for Water & Science and the Bureau of Reclamation.  Mr. Sansonetti was the Administrative Assistant and Legislative Director for Wyoming Congressman Craig Thomas during the 101st Congress and was appointed Associate Solicitor for Energy and Resources by Interior Secretary Don Hodel during the last two years of the Reagan administration.

Active in politics, served as Wyoming's Republican National Committeeman (1996-2001) and as General Counsel for the Republican National Committee (2001). He was the chairman of the Republican Party in Wyoming from 1983-1987.

EDUCATION

Washington & Lee University (J.D. 1976)

University of Virginia, Colgate Darden School (M.B.A. 1973)

University of Virginia (B.A. 1971)
  Foreign Affairs
  With Distinction