John W. Andrews, Partner at our Salt Lake City law office
John W. Andrews vcard
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John W. Andrews

Partner
Biography

John has over 30 years of practice experience in public lands, real estate, mineral, water rights, environmental, and energy law matters. Before joining Snell & Wilmer in 2018, he was chief legal counsel and associate director for Utah’s state land management agency, where he provided legal representation and management for a 3.4-million-acre land portfolio. His current practice focuses on land and permitting issues associated with the ongoing energy transition, including utility scale hydrogen, solar and wind projects, lithium extraction, and development of low carbon cement products. John continues to work with clients in traditional mining, oil and gas, ranching, and real estate development matters. John also works on complex land and mineral title and royalty issues, federal and state land exchanges, NEPA, tribal law, endangered species and wildlife, state legislative interaction, and other issues involving western lands.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Utah


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Utah
  • United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • United States Supreme Court


Education

  • University of Utah College of Law (J.D.)
    • Associate Editor, Journal of Energy Law & Policy
  • Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia (Exchange Student in Law)
    • Thesis Topic: “Commonwealth Natural Resources & Environmental Legislation and the Australian Constitution”
  • Colby College (B.A., Economics and History)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Natural Resources Law (2020-2025), Environmental Law (2021-2025)
    • Salt Lake City Lawyer of the Year, Natural Resources Law (2023)
  • Utah Legal Elite, Government Lawyers, Utah Business Magazine (2018)
  • Utah Legal Elite, Energy and Natural Resources, Utah Business Magazine (2017, 2020)
  • Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award, Utah Congress of Parents and Teachers (Utah PTA) (1998)

Previous Professional Experience

  • State of Utah, School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, Salt Lake City, Utah
    •  Chief Legal Counsel (1995-2018)
    •  Associate Director (2004-2018)
  • Utah Attorney General’s Office, Assistant Attorney General (1994-1995)
  • Van Cott, Bagley, Cornwall & McCarthy (1986-1993)
  • Utah Supreme Court, Intern to Justice Christine Durham (1984)

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • U.S. Department of the Interior
    • Royalty Policy Committee (2017-2019)
  • Western States Land Commissioners Association
    • Legal Committee Chair (2012-2016)
  • Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
    • Trustee-at-Large (2007-2009, 2017-2019)
  • Utah State Bar
    • Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental Law (ENREL)
      • Section Lawyer of the Year (1998)
      • Section Chair (2002-2003)
      • Officer/Committee Chair (1997-2003)

Community Involvement

  • Utah Open Lands Conservation Ass’n.
    • Board of Directors (2022-Present)
  • Natural History Museum of Utah
    • Board of Advisors (2019-Present)
    • Associates Board (2001-2007)
    • Executive Committee Officer (2004-2006)
  • Vision Dixie
    • Executive Committee/Steering Committee (2006-2008)

Representative Presentations and Publications