Practice Chair
Luke D. Johnson

Luke D. Johnson

Policy Director

Background

Problem solver for companies with complex natural resource projects on federal lands. Blends agency and congressional engagement to achieve success in high-pressure scenarios. Former senior congressional staffer and deputy director of the Bureau of Land Management.

Luke Johnson provides actionable insight into the permitting process of major natural resource projects and leverages his relationships with federal regulators and legislators to break the stickiest impasses, avoid costly delays and drive projects across the finish line. As co-chair of the firm’s Energy, Environment & Resource Strategies (EERS) Group, Luke is at his best in high-stakes situations when clients face issues threatening the life of their projects. His executive and legislative branch experience enables him to pinpoint the source of an issue and engage key stakeholders, from career staff and cabinet officials in the administration to members and senior committee staff in Congress. 

Over his career, Luke has secured critical permits for multi-billion dollar oil and gas projects and has represented emerging industries as the United States continues to invest heavily in renewable energy. He sites onshore wind and solar projects; helps clients identify and secure new pots of funding made available through federal grants and appropriations; and keeps clients ahead of rapidly shifting ESG standards. 

Luke served in a variety of roles in the executive branch, most recently as former deputy director of policy and programs at BLM within the Department of the Interior. Prior, Luke served as a senior policy advisor to Sen. Robert Bennett (R-UT) and as professional staff on the House Natural Resources Committee. In addition to his tenure in government, Luke served as vice president of policy and government affairs for the National Ocean Industries Association.

Representative Matters

Recent Experience

  • Represented the Navajo Nation in federal legislation to authorize the Navajo Nation's water settlement with the U.S. and Utah.

  • Represents one of the largest recreation software developers on federal and state engagement with the administration and Congress to increase recreation participation on public lands.

  • Represents a large federal water project on navigating right of way issues across public lands.

  • Represents a deep water, independent oil and gas company on offshore related policy and legislation.

  • Provides federal representation with the administration and Congress for an entity representing consumer-owned electric systems that contract for the delivery of federal hydropower over the federal transmission system of the Western Area Power Administration from the Colorado River Storage Project.

  • Provides strategic counsel on navigating approvals for an arctic oil and gas development.

  • Represents a hard rock mining company permitting a large gold mining project on federal land.

  • Provides strategic advice and counsel regarding regulatory, permitting and agency approvals for a large, independent oil and gas company pursuing onshore and offshore projects.

  • Successfully helped a hard rock mining company navigate a significant regulatory and potential enforcement action saving the company from a potentially long term project delay.

  • Provides strategic counsel in navigating federal permitting and approvals on behalf of a calcium carbonate mine.

  • Provides representation and works with a coalition of stakeholders on a large public lands and conservation bill.

  • Represents a large oil and gas exploration and production company on federal engagement for both onshore and offshore projects.

  • Provides strategic counsel to a gateway municipality in navigating regulatory issues with federal land management agencies.

  • Provides representation and works with federal stakeholders on various wind opportunities and projects throughout the United States as it relates to the federal government.

  • Provides federal representation to an independent oil and gas company operating on federal lands.

  • Counsel to a non-profit organization representing consumer-owned electric systems that purchase federal hydropower and resources before Congress and the Administration.

  • Provided strategic direction to a major national nonprofit conservation organization regarding a proposed listing of a species under the Endangered Species Act.

  • Represent one of the largest federal water contractors in the United States to ensure that its members have a long-term dependable supply of water to meet project purposes.

  • Represents one of the largest federal water contractors in the United States to ensure that its members have a long-term dependable supply of water to meet project purposes.

Insights & Publications

Credentials

Education

  • B.S., 1999, Utah State University
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