Montgomery & Andrews

Overview

For more than thirty years, Mr. Olson has represented public utilities and other clients in regulatory proceedings before the Public Regulation Commission and its two predecessor agencies, the Public Utility Commission and the State Corporation Commission. Mr. Olson’s utility regulatory experience includes numerous general rate cases, certificate proceedings for new carriers and facilities, including independent power projects, proceedings related to changes in ownership and control of utility plant and operations, proceedings related to the definition and regulation of competitive and noncompetitive services, proceedings related to the issuance of securities, and state interconnection and wholesale regulatory proceedings under the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

He has also represented both sellers and purchasers in sales and purchases of utility systems including sale of a statewide natural gas transmission and distribution utility, purchases of gas distribution utility systems serving several communities in southern New Mexico, and sales or purchases of water utility systems serving Santa Fe, Clovis, and Edgewood, New Mexico.
For many years, Mr. Olson was primarily responsible for the Firm’s engagement as counsel to Santa Fe’s nonprofit, acute care general hospital, and he continues to advise other hospitals and health care providers. He has also represented clients in complex commercial and real estate transactions and financings and has rendered numerous closing opinions on behalf of sellers, purchasers, and lenders. He has advised hospitals in regard to the issuance of more than $50,000,000 of tax exempt revenue bonds issued by the City of Santa Fe and the New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council and the New Mexico Finance Authority to finance hospital construction and additions and to advance refund existing indebtedness.

Education

Stanford University, B.A. (1968)
University of New Mexico, J.D. (summa cum laude, 1973)

Professional Memberships and Activities

Current:

Commissioner, New Mexico Commission on Access to Justice

Director, Equal Access to Justice

State Bar of New Mexico (Sections on Natural Resources, Energy and Environmental Law; Health Law; Real Property, Probate and Trust)

American Bar Association (Sections on Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Law; Health Law)

American Health Lawyers Association

Previous:

Member, Governor’s State Energy Policy Advisory Council

Director, President, Foundation for the Santa Fe Community College

Founding Director, Santa Fe Community Foundation

Director, President, United Way of Santa Fe County

Director, Santa Fe Partners in Education

United States Army Veteran, Viet Nam War (Bronze Star Medal)

Honors

“AV” rating by the Martindale‑Hubbell Law Directory (a rating derived from a lawyer survey)

Currently listed in The Best Lawyers in America (a listing derived from a lawyer survey)

Order of the Coif

Editor, New Mexico Law Review (vol. 3)

Speaking Engagements

Mr. Olson has spoken to numerous groups on subjects of public utility regulation, health care, real estate, banking and equal access to justice.

Representative Clients

Qwest Corporation

New Mexico-American Water Company, Inc.

New Mexico Utilities, Inc.

Otero County Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Union County General Hospital

Cobisa Corporation

Harland Network of State and Federal Counsel