Ezekiel (Zeke) J. Williams

· Energy & Natural Resources

· Environmental

· Litigation

· 303-861-2828 xt. 2529

Zeke Williams practices natural resources, environmental, and federal public lands law and litigation. Zeke combines extensive substantive knowledge with expertise in a number of industries. His clients include oil and gas companies, ski areas, renewable and conventional energy developers, mining companies, trade associations, and individuals. He represents clients in federal and state court litigation and appeals, and advises clients on environmental and natural resources laws.

Zeke has broad experience litigating disputes involving federal lands, natural resources and energy development, NEPA documents, ski area expansions, land exchanges, and environmental law.  In the oil and gas area, Zeke has litigated disputes involving oil and gas leases, federal exploratory units, title issues, operating agreements, accounting procedures, gas gathering dedications, net profits interests, royalty obligations, and development agreements. 

Zeke routinely helps clients obtain and defend government approvals that will authorize future actions, including environmental impact statements, federal land use plans, leases, Forest Service special use permits, rights-of-way, and environmental permits. Zeke’s work is defined by communication, judgment, knowledge, strategy, and value.  Zeke is listed in the Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers.


Practice Areas

Energy & Natural Resources, Environmental, Litigation

Education

University of Denver College of Law
J.D., Law Review (Articles Editor)
Order of St. Ives (1994)
Montana State University BA (1987)

Bar and Court Admissions

Colorado (1994)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
U.S. Supreme Court

Other Professional Affiliations

Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
Western Energy Alliance
Denver Petroleum Club
Colorado Ski Country USA
National Ski Areas Association

Publications and Lectures

AUTHOR:

Energy Development on National Forest System Lands
57 Rocky Mtn. Min. L. Inst. 6-1 (2011)

What Every Land Professional Should Know About the National Environmental Policy Act
53 Rocky Mtn. Min. L. Inst. 4-1 (2007)

The National Environmental Policy Act Chapter,
Environmental Regulation of Colorado Real Property (2007 Bradford Publishing)

The Role of the Project Proponent in the NEPA Process
Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Special Institute on NEPA and Federal Land Development (2006)

The Growing Phenomenon of Challenges to Federal Land Use Plans in Natural Resources Development Litigation
51 Rocky Mtn. Min. L Inst. 11-1 (2005)

Defending Federal Decisions and Permits: Practical Tactics for the Interested Party
Special Institute on Natural Resources & Environmental Administrative Law and Procedure, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (2004)

ADJUNCT PROFESSOR:
University of Denver College of Law (2001 to 2004, 2009, 2011) Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law

LECTURER:

Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Short Course, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (2011, 2009)

Moderator, Panel on NEPA Lessons Learned,
Special Institute on the National Environmental Policy Act
Denver, Colorado (October, 2010)


Wind Energy on Federal Lands: A Guide to an American Resource American Wind Energy Association Wind Power Conference (2009)

Drought and Climate Change in the Environmental Review Process Under the National Environmental Policy Act
Governor's Conference on Managing Drought and Climate Risk (2008)

Colorado Oil and Gas Development in the 21st Century: Trends and New Rules
Colorado Bar Association Conference on Water, Agricultural, Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources Law (2008)

The Role of an Oil and Gas Company in the Public NEPA Process
Public Lands Advocacy Conference (2008)

New West Regulations of Access: Perspectives of the Oil and Gas Developer and Affected Constituencies
Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Special Institute on Surface Use for Mineral Development in the New West (2008)

BLM Oil and Gas Lease Protest Procedures
Denver Association of Petroleum Landmen, Fall Land Institute (2005)

The National Environmental Policy Act and Federal Land Use Planning in Rocky Mountain Oil and Gas Development
Colorado Hazardous Waste Management Society (2005)

The Clean Water Act
Environmental Law Institute, Annual Bootcamp on Environmental Law (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006)

Constraints on Development of Rocky Mountain Natural Gas Supplies
Annual Energy in the Southwest Conference (2005)

Effective NEPA Process Participation for Resource Development Proponents
Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists and American Institute of Petroleum Geologists (2005) 


Honors and Distinctions

Judicial law clerk to the Hon. Bobby R. Baldock, U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, 1994-1996

The Best Lawyers in America® 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 Administrative Law and Natural Resources Law

Super Lawyers®, Energy & Natural Resources, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011; Energy/Oil & Gas, 2006