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Jim B. Butler 
Reno, Nevada
phone (775) 323-1601
fax (775) 348-7250
email JButler@parsonsbehle.com
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Jim Butler is a shareholder in the Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources department and practices in the natural resources and environmental areas. Before joining Parsons Behle & Latimer, he worked for the Utah State Energy Office, the Utah State Planning Coordinator's Office and from 1981 to 1985, served as a senior policy assistant to Utah Governor Scott M. Matheson for natural resources. Jim also served as a clerk to Judge Stephen H. Anderson of the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit from September, 1987 to October, 1988. In law school, Jim received an Edward Clyde Fellowship, a Marriner S. Eccles Fellowship and was elected to Order of the Coif. He also served as editor-in-chief for the Utah Law Review.

Related Activities and Skills:

  • Utah State Bar Association: Futures Commission, 1992-93; Chairman, Public Lands Committee of the Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental Law Section, 1994
  • American Bar Association: Natural Resources, Energy & Environmental Law Section, Litigation Section
  • Northwest Mining Association, Board of Trustees
  • Scott M. Matheson Leadership Forum, Board of Directors
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America
  • Recognized in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers For Business 

Published Works:

  • Author: BLM's Hardrock Mining Regulations, Clark County Bar Association Journal, April 2001
  • Co-author: Natural Resource Damages Under CERCLA, in Superfund Deskbook, Business Laws, Inc. (1994) (with David W. Tundermann)
  • Environmental Due Diligence in the Acquisition of Natural Resource Properties, in Due Diligence Handbook, Rocky Mtn. Min. L. Fdn. (1993) (with Patrick J. Garver)
  • Author: Outdoor Sports and Torts: An Analysis of Utah's Recreational Use Act, 1988 Utah Law Review 47
  • The World Bank Responds to the Extractive Industries Review - Sustainable Development among Goals, Jan./Feb. 2005 by Jim B. Butler
Areas of Practice:
Natural Resources Law
Mining & Mineral Processing Law
Environmental Law
Climate Law
Brownfields
Endangered Species Act/Wildlife
Insurance Coverage
NEPA
Environmental Permitting & Compliance
RCRA/Hazardous & Solid Waste
Superfund
Project Permitting
Public Lands
Political/Governmental Law
Bar Admissions:
U.S. Supreme Court, 1994
U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 1988
U.S. District Court District of Utah, 1987
Utah, 1987
Nevada, 2003
Education:
University of Utah College of Law, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1987
J.D. degree


University of Utah, 1977
B.A. degree
Honors: Magna Cum Laude


Classes/Seminars Taught:
Mining Law Reform, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Natural Resources Law Teachers Forum, Chino Hot Springs, Montana, May 27, 2009


Mine Project Permitting, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Law Short Course, Boulder, Colorado, May 15, 2009


Appeals to the Interior Board of Land Appeals, American Association of Professional Landmen, Mining and Land Resource Institute, March, 2001


Professional Associations and Memberships:
Bear West, Incorporated, 1985 - Present


Past Employment Positions:
Judge Stephen H. Anderson, 10th Circuit Court, Clerk, 1987 - 1988


Fraternities/Sororities:
Phi Beta Kappa
Phi Kappa Phi
Office Locations
  • Salt Lake City Headquarters
    201 South Main Street,
    Suite 1800
    Salt Lake City, UT 84111
    Tel: 801-532-1234
    Fax: 801-536-6111
    Toll free: 800-293-9669

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  • Reno
    50 West Liberty Street,
    Suite 750
    Reno, NV 89501
    Tel: 775-323-1601
    Fax: 775-348-7250
    Toll free: 800-293-9669

    Click Here for Map

  • Las Vegas
    3753 Howard Hughes Parkway,
    Suite 200
    Las Vegas, Nevada 89169
    Tel: 702-599-6000
    Fax: 702-599-6001
    Toll free: 800-293-9669

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The law firm of Parsons Behle & Latimer provides legal counsel and representation to Intermountain West businesses in Salt Lake City, Reno, Las Vegas, Boise, Phoenix, Billings and Denver. We regularly represent clients in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, California, Montana and Wyoming.