Montgomery and Andrews Law Firm

Overview

Mr. Wechsler is a member of the firm's Natural Resources, Environmental, Litigation and Administrative departments. His practice is primarily concentrated in the areas of water, environmental, natural resources, public utility regulation, and complex litigation.

In the area of water law, Mr. Wechsler has represented public and private clients in numerous proceedings before the New Mexico State Engineer, as well as stream adjudication suits, and civil litigation regarding water rights.  He has worked extensively with experts in the areas of ground water and surface water hydrology, geology and water engineering, water resources administration, ground water modeling, and consumptive use of water.  Mr. Wechsler regularly advises clients on the the sale, lease, transfer, and permitting of water rights.  He also has experience with municipal water planning in New Mexico.  Mr. Wechsler has assisted states before the United States Supreme Court in interstate water disputes. Representitive water clients include states, political subdivisions, private industry, energy companies, developers, industrial users, and farmers. 

In the area of environmental law, Mr. Wechsler has advised clients on the impact of applicable laws and assisted with permit applications, agency negotiations and litigation. Mr. Wechsler has represented clients in the resolution and litigation of environmental matters in the areas of water quality, air quality, solid and hazardous waste.  He also has experience with the Endangered Species Act and NEPA.  Mr. wechsler has represented clients before the New Mexico Environment Department, the Environmental Improvement Board, the Water Quality Control Commission and state and federal courts.  Representative environmental clients inculde many of the top energy companies operating in New Mexico.

In the area of public utility regulation, Mr. Wechsler has represented public utilities before the Public Regulation Commission.  His experience includes general rate cases, certificate proceedings for new carriers and facilities, and disputes between neighboring utilities.

In addition, Mr. Wechsler has participated in complex civil litigation in the areas of natural resources, eminent domain, land use and civil rights defense.

Education

J.D., University of Utah School of Law (2002)

Certificate in Environmental and Resources Law, University of Utah School of Law (2002)

Editor in Chief, Journal of Land, Resources, & Environmental Law, University of Utah School of Law (2001-02)

B.A. (Biology and Environmental Studies), University of California at Santa Cruz (1995)

Professional Memberships and Activities

New Mexico Bar Association

American Bar Association, Section of Natural Resources Energy and Environmental Law

New Mexico Bar Association, Section of Natural Resources and Environmental Law

Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute

Honors

Order of the Coif

Law Clerk to the Honorable Bruce D. Black, United States District Judge for the District of New Mexico

Publications

This Land is Our Land: Ranchers Seek Private Rights in the Public Rangelands, 21 J. Land Resources & Envtl. L. 461.

Representative Cases/Transactions

Montana v. Wyoming, 128 S. Ct. 1332 (2008) (persuaded the United States Supreme Court to accept a Bill of Complaint over a dispute on the Yellowstone River)

Citizen Action v. Sandia Corp., 2008-NMCA-031, 179 P.3d 1228 (Ct. App. 2008) (obtained required RCRA permit for mixed waste landfill)

Baumeister v. New Mexico Commission for the Blind, 425 F.Supp.2d 1250 (D.N.M. 2006) (successfully defended civil rights suit)

Representative Clients

State of Montana
State of New Mexico
New Mexico American Water
Sandia Corporation
Marathon Oil

DCP Midstream