Professional Biography
Matthew Jensen joined Smith|Hartvigsen PLLC in
2006 after serving as a clerk to
the Honorable Justice Matthew B. Durrant of the Utah Supreme
Court. Mr. Jensen’s practice is focused on natural resource and energy law.
Mr. Jensen has assisted clients on a wide range of complex natural resource transactions,
administrative proceedings, litigation, and appeals. Specifically, Mr. Jensen has advised clients
in regards to water rights, stream alteration, section 404 wetland permits, mineral title, mining
permits, geothermal energy issues, oil and gas development, and other areas. He has conducted
comprehensive water rights analyses for municipalities, private water companies, developers, and
large farming operations.
Before attending law school, Mr. Jensen worked as an
engineering intern at Monsanto's Enoch Valley Phosphate
Mine, at Bridger Coal Mine, and at the Utah Division of Oil,
Gas, and Mining (DOGM). He also served as a research
assistant for a University of Utah Seismograph Stations
study of mining-induced seismicity and co-authored some of
the appendices for the final report on the results of the
study. Mr. Jensen's experience and education in mining engineering and geology
helps him to address highly technical legal matters and
gives him a unique perspective to many of the issues facing
our clients.
Practice Areas
Appellate Practice
Energy
Geothermal / Renewable Energy
Mining
Natural Resources
Oil & Gas
Water Law
Professional Memberships
Utah State Bar
Appellate Practice Section
Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental Law Section
Young Lawyers Section
American Bar Association
Environment, Energy, and Resources Section
American Water Resources Association (AWRA)
Currently serving as President-Elect of the Utah Section
Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
Awards and Distinctions
2008 Mountain States Super Lawyers,
Rising Star in Energy and Natural Resource
Law
2002-2005
Recognition of academic performance including the Rocky
Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Scholarship, and the top
grade awards in the Legal Methods Course, Mining Law Course,
Environmental Law and Business Course, Evidence Course,
State and Local Government Law Course, and Federal Income
Tax Course.
Education
Juris Doctorate, Order of the
Coif, S.J. Quinney College of Law,
University of Utah, 2005. Served on the Board of the
Utah Law Review as a Note and Comment Editor
Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law,
University of Utah, 2005.
Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering, cum laude,
University of
Utah, 2002
Course Instruction
Instructor, 2008 Salt Lake Countywide Watershed Symposium, Jurisdictional Waters in Light of the Rapanos Decision (October 28, 2008)
Instructor, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Water Rights Sales and Transfers in Utah: Quantifying Water Rights, Lorman Education Services (July 18, 2008)
Instructor, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Water Rights Sales and Transfers in Utah, Lorman Education Services (July 18, 2007)
Instructor, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Emerging Issues in Water Usage in Utah, Lorman Education Services (April 17, 2007)
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