Roger L. Freeman, Esq.

Drawing from over 40 years of experience, Mr. Freeman is a nationally recognized expert in environmental, energy, and natural resources law and policy, in all its diverse forms. His breadth of experience and ability to work through complex environmental matters has led to his longstanding recognition as one of the Best Lawyers in America. Mr. Freeman also has vast expertise in resolving contractual and insurance disputes, both in the environmental field and beyond. He is adept at finding creative solutions to settling environmental and related litigation, ranging from government enforcement actions and penalty proceedings to private toxic tort actions.

ROGER L. FREEMAN, ESQ.

Mr. Freeman‘s work in the energy field is equally comprehensive. Starting with his early career in the 1980s, he has in-depth experience in mining, oil and gas, and other traditional energy sectors. Over the last 20 years, Mr. Freeman has shifted his practice to renewables and climate change issues, both through legal and advocacy roles. In 2016, he left his partnership at Davis, Graham and Stubbs to establish his own firm to focus on renewable energy and climate matters. He now has a diverse legal /policy practice emphasizing all aspects of solar, wind, transmission and storage throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West , and regularly works with large teams to resolve complex issues arising in this arena.

Mr. Freeman has led many political and policy initiatives and is currently serving on a number of boards aimed at advancing renewable energy and transmission initiatives. In this capacity, he often works on diverse teams with large stakeholder groups, and is adept at balancing the interests of the various parties to reach pragmatic, creative solutions. He tackles complex problems efficiently and practically, and brings participants to progressive mediation solutions that stand the test of time.

FURTHER BACKGROUND AND EXPERTISE

Building on his early background as a field biologist- and dating back to the passage of such groundbreaking environmental laws as the Superfund Act – Mr. Freeman’s work spans the spectrum of modern environmental law, including: setting the framework for and managing cleanups on private and public lands; collaborating with governmental agencies and tribes (including multiple projects directly for same) ; and contract development, interpretation, drafting and application. This experience includes numerous environmental due diligence/real estate transactions and the application of complex environmental laws to a wide range of business and corporate settings. Mr. Freeman utilizes this experience to help fashion solutions that mesh with the needs of corporate and governmental sectors alike.

This base, drawn from 30 years of practice at one of the leading firms in the Rocky Mountain West (Davis Graham and Stubbs) serves clients well in a variety of settings. His expertise includes addressing insurance claims, contract and real estate disputes, and environmental and related litigation – from government enforcement actions and penalty proceedings to private toxic tort actions. Through these efforts, Mr. Freeman’s work is often tied to real property and land use matters and involves close interactions with local and state governments. His environmental experience also includes work on numerous solid waste, recycling and waste management issues – from siting, regulatory matters, to property disputes. He is also a recognized expert in OSHA and environmental health and safety matters of all types.

As noted above, Mr. Freeman‘s work in the energy field is equally comprehensive and now focuses on the emerging practice of renewable energy, climate change, and overall sustainability matters. His work spans the spectrum of utility and renewable energy engagement, from advancing project development ; to strategic planning/ contracting and bidding; PUC matters and PPA negotiation, energy efficiency and building electrification; transportation planning ; and renewable energy siting, permitting, land use and other key project stages. As a recognized leader in this field, he draws upon a vast array of specialists integral to this sector to provide advice to his clients and mediate disputes.

Mr. Freeman‘s work as an advocate and his understanding of all perspectives draws heavily from his array of Board and Commission roles over his career, and with various nonprofit and environmental advocacy groups. His years as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Denver College of Law helped shape his ability to devise multi-faceted solutions to complex environmental and energy problems and to balance in the needs of a variety of outside interests.

MEDIATION SKILLS AND FOCUS

Mr. Freeman’s combination of substantive acumen, in-depth legal training, and problem- solving skills underlie his mediation capabilities and style. Building from  his AAA certification and training as an arbitrator and mediator, Mr. Freeman is adept at blending diverse perspectives and legal approaches into a practical and balanced settlement. He is adept at listening, balancing and stimulating diverse views, and pushing back where needed to align parties’ expectations with reality and to see differing views. His diverse public sector experience allows for a unique ability to understand and relate to people and entities of all views.  In short, Mr. Freeman’s long-standing environmental and science experience, coupled with the unique sense of business, finances and basic dealmaking and negotiation tactics, leave him uniquely equipped to assist in a variety of disputes, stakeholder or multi-participant settings, litigation or business matters, and other mediation needs.

FOCUS AREAS

  • Environmental Law
  • Alternative/Renewable Energy and Storage
  • Transmission and Utility Law
  • Climate Change and Sustainability
  • Energy Law
  • OSHA and Health and Safety Law
  • Natural Resources/Wildlife and Public Lands
  • Land Use and Real Estate
  • Associated Business, Insurance, Litigation or Contract Disputes

OTHER RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
Davis Graham & Stubbs, LLP, Denver, CO, 1985 – 2016 (Partner, 1992-2016)

  • Multi-faceted practice involved extensive team leadership and management responsibilities on environmental and energy matters. Areas of emphasis include cleantech/renewable energy projects; environmental compliance; managing clean-up projects at Brownfields sites; oil and gas compliance and remediation efforts; and solid waste/recycling projects.
  • Helped found the firm’s renewable energy practice; original organizer and moderator of the firm’s longstanding series on renewable and alternative energy initiatives.
  • Provided counseling and project development guidance on renewable energy development, load management, and energy wheeling and transmission throughout the Rocky Mountain West and California.
  • Extensive litigation experience, in both federal and state courts, including as lead counsel, strategist, and litigation director for major companies and other entities on insurance and related matters.
  • Vast expertise in environmental and safety issues facing traditional energy sectors, such as oil and gas. In-depth understanding of the relationship between energy development and environmental protection. Firm grasp of technical/scientific issues based on prior education/training.
  • Forged collaborative solutions to complex environmental problems (e.g., voluntary clean ups, such as at the Pepsi Center Arena in Denver), drawing upon extensive network of political and agency relationships.
  • Extensive training and experience in media/community relations, including emergency response management.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

  • University of Denver Sturm College of Law – Juris Doctorate 1985 (Order of St. Ives)
  • University of Michigan – Bachelor of Science 1981, Botany
  • Cornell University – College of Arts and Sciences 1977-1978

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Colorado Bar Member, 1985-present

CURRENT AND RECENT LEADERSHIP ROLE

  • Board of Directors, Colorado Electric Transmission Authority, 2022- present
  • Board of Directors, President, Colorado Solar and Storage Association, 2014- 2023 (now serving on COSSA Institute Advisory Committee)
  • Member, Lakewood Citizens Advisory Committee, 2017- present
  • Commissioner, Colorado Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission (Appointed by Gov. Ritter in 2008; term expired in 2014). Creator of Subcommittee to advance recycling and reduction policies.
  • Conservation Colorado – Board Member and Former Nominating Chair, 2002 2014
  • Policy Committee Chair, Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, 2012-2016.
  • Member, Policy Committee, Colorado Association for Recycling, 2011-present.
  • Denver Foundation, Board Member, Environmental Advisory Board, 2016-2018
  • Pollution Prevention Advisory Board, Colorado, 2019-2022
  • Adjunct Professor, University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, 2002-2013
    • Taught courses in Brownfields and Renewable Energy/Environmental Law. Developed Capstone course on “Siting Renewable Energy On Contaminated Lands – Helping to Advance the New Frontier.” Frequent guest lecturer in other classes.

Rates
Call for specific rate information.

  • $1100 Half Day
  • $2200 Full Day