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DENVER (September 13, 2023) – Building on a year of unprecedented expansion, Womble Bond Dickinson planted a flag in the Mile High City with the addition of prominent partners Scot Anderson and Ana Maria Gutiérrez in Denver. Formerly with Hogan Lovells, they bring extensive regulatory and transactional experience and further strengthen the firm’s Energy and Natural Resources and Environmental Regulation, Disputes, and Litigation practices.
“For the last several years, Womble has been executing a strategic plan to build offices and teams in markets powering the future of key industries like energy, financial services, technology, and life sciences. As a leading innovation center and fast-growing legal market, Denver has long been at the top of that consideration set,” said Betty Temple, Womble’s CEO and Chair (U.S.). “Given our strength in the Energy and Natural Resources sector – and this group’s impressive credentials and long-standing work in the market – this was an ideal foundation to build our presence in the Mountain West.”
“For the last several years, Womble has been executing a strategic plan to build offices and teams in markets powering the future of key industries like energy, financial services, technology, and life sciences. As a leading innovation center and fast-growing legal market, Denver has long been at the top of that consideration set. Given our strength in the Energy and Natural Resources sector – and this group’s impressive credentials and long-standing work in the market – this was an ideal foundation to build our presence in the Mountain West.”
Betty Temple, CEO and Chair (U.S.), Womble Bond Dickinson
Denver is the firm’s 32nd office internationally and its fifth U.S.-based opening in the last 18 months. Anderson, who has decades of work in oil, gas, and mining and a deep understanding of the extractives industries, will serve as office managing partner. Details of the office’s location will be announced later this year.
“We are excited to launch the firm’s Denver office and guide its continued growth from a market where we have strong practices and connections to the business and legal communities,” said Anderson. “We were impressed with Womble’s collaborative culture, full-service practice offerings, and competitive rate structure – all of which translate to a strong platform to serve clients. We also appreciate Womble’s focus on innovation in both business and the law, which fits nicely with the evolution of the energy and natural resources industries.”
“We are excited to launch the firm’s Denver office and guide its continued growth from a market where we have strong practices and connections to the business and legal communities. We were impressed with Womble’s collaborative culture, full-service practice offerings, and competitive rate structure – all of which translate to a strong platform to serve clients. We also appreciate Womble’s focus on innovation in both business and the law, which fits nicely with the evolution of the energy and natural resources industries.”
Scot Anderson, Denver Office Managing Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson
“Colorado is ground zero for some of the most progressive environmental regulations in the country. As energy transition and regulatory frameworks continue to be key issues for years to come, Womble’s presence in Denver and subsequent practice expansions will position us to provide the support clients need in the present and into the future,” said Gutiérrez.
“Colorado is ground zero for some of the most progressive environmental regulations in the country. As energy transition and regulatory frameworks continue to be key issues for years to come, Womble’s presence in Denver and subsequent practice expansions will position us to provide the support clients need in the present and into the future."
Ana Maria Gutiérrez, Partner, Womble Bond Dickinson
Anderson is the former head of the global Energy and Natural Resources industry sector at Hogan Lovells and the past president of The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (formerly the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation). His extensive experience spans commercial transactions, financing, project development finance, regulatory compliance, permitting, ESG, and litigation. Anderson regularly advises clients throughout the Americas, Europe, Australia, Africa, and Asia and is working on the development of natural resources in outer space. He received a J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law, Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, M.A. from the University of Iowa, and B.A. from Augustana College.
Gutiérrez is recognized for her knowledge of environmental, regulatory, and permitting issues affecting many industries, including energy and natural resources, manufacturing, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and waste management, among others. She counsels companies in the implementation of compliance programs, climate initiatives, and transactional due diligence across a range of environmental issues relating to the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, public lands, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulations, and other federal environmental statutes and regulations. Gutiérrez received a J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and B.A. from Seattle University.
Womble’s Energy and Natural Resources sector is a global, multi-disciplinary practice of more than 150 lawyers skilled in addressing clients' transactional, intellectual property, regulatory, and litigation needs as they navigate the challenges and complexities of the energy transition. Their experience covers the broad spectrum of subsectors, including all segments of the oil and gas industry, mining and minerals, renewables, electricity generation and transmission, water and related infrastructure, and commodities and trading.
