Denise Dragoo's practice focuses on natural resources, coal law, water law, environmental law, mining law, public land law, issues affecting the oil and gas industry, mine safety and health law.
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance v. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, et al., 620 F.3d 1227 (10th Cir. Sept. 23, 2010) (affirming federal district court decision upholding federal mine permit)
White Oak Mining & Construction Co., Inc. v. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, decided December 30, 1998, IBLA 97-239
East Jordan Irr. Co. v. Morgan, 860 P.2d 310 (Utah 1993)
Hidden Valley Coal Co. v. Board of Oil, Gas and Mining, 866 P.2d 564 (Utah Ct. App. 1993)
Jensen v. Dinehart, 645 P.2d 32 (Utah 1982)
White Oak Mining and Construction Co., Inc. v. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, decided February 4, 1997, 138 IBLA 109
Ashley Creek Phosphate Co. v. John D. Archer, decided November 29, 1995, 134 IBLA 206
PacifiCorp, dba PacifiCorp Electric Operations, Utah Power and Light Co., and Energy West Mining Co. v. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, decided September 26, 1994, 131 IBLA 17
Sunnyside Reclamation and Salvage, Inc., decided October 30, 1992, 124 IBLA 238
Utah Power and Light Co., decided March 6, 1991, 118 IBLA 181
Utah Power and Light Co., decided August 15, 1990, 115 IBLA 366
Kaiser Coal Corp., decided August 5, 1988, 103 IBLA 312
Washington University School of Law (LL.M., Environmental and Land Use Law, 1977)
Howard Stamper Scholarship
University of Utah College of Law (J.D., 1976)
Utah Bar and Gavel Society
Articles Editor, Journal of Contemporary Law
University of Colorado (B.A., History, with honors, 1973)
State Bar of Utah
Judicial Conduct Commission, Past Chair and Member (1992-2002)
“The First 100 Days of the Trump Administration Delivers Much Needed Relief to the Coal Industry,” Presenter, Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute Colorado/Utah 2017 Regional Meeting (May 18, 2017)
"New NEPA Challenges for Project Development on Public Lands," Author, Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn., 4B (2009)
"Coal Mine Closure, Reclamation, and Financial Assurance Under the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, Mine Closure, Financial Assurance, and Final Reclamation," Co-Author, Paper No. 7, Rocky Mt. Min. L. Fdn., 7-1 (2009)
Utah State Bar Outstanding New Lawyer Training Program Award (2018)
University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law Alumna of the Year (2016)
The Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Environmental Litigation, Government Relations Practice, Mining Law, Natural Resources Law (2006-2020)
Salt Lake City Lawyer of the Year, Natural Resources Law (2017)
Salt Lake City Lawyer of the Year, Mining Law (2015)
Salt Lake City Lawyer of the Year, Government Relations Practice (2014)
Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business®, Energy & Natural Resources (2010-2019)
Mountain States Super Lawyers®, Energy & Resources (2007-2019)
Top 50 Women (2013-2014, 2016-2019)
Top 40 Women (2007-2011)
Lawdragon Top 3000 Leading Lawyers in America (2010-2011)
Super Lawyers®, Energy & Resources - Business Edition (2011)
Super Lawyers®, Energy & Resources - Corporate Counsel Edition (2009-2010)
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Board of Trustees (2017-present)
State Law Resources Board, Chair (2013-2014)
Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Trustee
Grants Committee, Chair
Special Institutes Committee, Member
Mountain States Legal Foundation
Litigation Board, Past Chair, Member
Rocky Mountain Coal Mining Institute, Immediate Past President
100th Annual Meeting Program, President (2012)
Board Member
Utah Museum of Natural History, Fundraising Committee
Utah Law & Justice Center
Founding Board Member
Alta Club, Board of Directors (2012-2015)
Junior League of Salt Lake City
Community Outreach Board of Directors, Member
Legal Aid Society
Board Member (1993-2005)
Chair (1999-2001)
"And Justice for All," Board Member (1998-2005)
Salt Lake City Land Use Appeals Board (1996-2005)
Salt Lake City Futures Commission (1996-1998)
Appointed by Governor Gary R. Herbert to serve as a member of the Utah Governor’s Energy Advisory Council. This Council provides guidance to the Office of Energy Development (OED) and the Governor regarding the rapidly changing energy landscape in Utah, nationally and abroad. Council members are selected for their comprehensive breadth of experience in the energy sector. Their tasks include reviewing Utah State’s Energy Policy, OED’s activities in energy planning (including Utah Energy Infrastructure Authority and the state’s new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan), as well as OED’s incentives, programs and other direct engagements. (2015-2020)
Van Cott, Bagley, Cornwall and McCarthy, Shareholder, Officer, Director
Fabian and Clendenin, Shareholder, Director
State of Utah, Department of Natural Resources, Special Assistant Attorney General
