Of Counsel Salt Lake City Office 60 E. South Temple Suite 2000 Salt Lake City, UT 84111-1031 Phone: 801-799-5909 br /> Fax: 801-799-5700 mnthatcher@hollandhart.com

PRACTICE AREAS

Natural Resources Minerals Oil & Gas Real Estate Water Rights Public Lands

As a member of Holland & Hart's Natural Resources Department, Mr. Thatcher advises clients on a variety of issues related to the development of oil and gas, hard rock minerals, and geothermal resources. His practice concentrates in preparing mineral title opinions, analyzing mineral royalties, and determining the validity of historic and newly-staked mining claims. Mr. Thatcher's other areas of focus include conducting due diligence and preparing documentation for the sale, purchase, and financing of mineral properties; providing general advice on federal and state mineral leasing matters, including split estate issues; and analyzing the nature, scope, and validity of water rights for transactions involving commercial real estate and resort properties.

In the area of alternative energy, Mr. Thatcher's focus is geothermal resources. His experience includes drafting leases, options, and surface access agreements; preparing title opinions; advising clients on the application of the federal Geothermal Steam Act and implementing regulations; the formation, maintenance, and termination of federal geothermal units; and the impact of state water law on geothermal development.

Prior to entering law school, Mr. Thatcher spent three years at Snell & Wilmer in Salt Lake City, Utah where he assisted attorneys on a variety of projects pertaining to the practice of energy and natural resources law, and provided landman-related services, such as searching the records of the Bureau of Land Management, the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining, and county real property records for the purpose of rendering oil and gas title opinions.

PUBLICATIONS

Co-Author, "Private Rights v. Public Rights on the Public Domain: 1872 Mining Law," presented at ABA, Energy & Environment Section by co-author William Myers III, September 2007.

Mr. Thatcher is the Utah Mining Law Reporter for the Mineral Law Newsletter, distributed by the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Member, Utah State Bar

Member, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation

Member, Utah Association of Professional Landmen

Member, Salt Lake County Bar Association

Member, American Bar Association

EDUCATION

University of Wyoming College of Law (J.D., 2006)
  with Honors

Texas A&M University (M.A., 2003)

University of Utah (B.A., 1998)