Of Counsel Salt Lake City Office 222 South Main Street Suite 2200 Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Phone: 801-799-5909 Fax: 801-799-5700 mnthatcher@hollandhart.com

PRACTICE AREAS

Natural Resources Minerals Oil & Gas Mining 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 focuses on preparing mineral title opinions; 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 pooling, unitization, and split estate issues; and analyzing the nature, scope, and validity of water rights for real estate transactions.

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 energy and natural resource development as a field landman.

Mr. Thatcher was selected as a "Rising Star" for the 2009 edition of Mountain States Super Lawyers.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Member, Utah State Bar

Member, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation

Member, Utah Association of Professional Landmen

Member, American Bar Association

PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

"Mining Versus Geothermal Development: Sources of Conflict and Opportunity," Mining and Land Resources Institute, American Association of Professional Landmen, Reno, Nevada, March 2010.

Co-Author, "Getting Into Hot Water: Current Hot Topics in Geothermal Development," with Craig D. Galli and Steven W. Snarr, 55 Rocky Mt. Min. L. Inst. 6-1 (2009).

"Recent Developments in Utah's Geothermal Industry," Utah Water Right Administration - In Transition, Water Law and Policy Seminars, St. George, Utah, March 2009, with co-presenter Chris D. Jones.

"Geothermal Resources - Rising Interest Equals New Opportunities, Challenges for Landmen," Landman, January/February 2009, Vol. 54, No. 1.

"Geothermal Resources: A Primer for Landmen," Texas Land Institute, American Association of Professional Landmen, Houston, Texas, November 2008.

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.

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)