PEOPLE

Madeleine M. Whittier

Associate
whittier.madeleine@dorsey.com

Overview

Madeleine advises clients on complex regulatory, legislative, and transactional matters with a focus on natural resources and environmental law.

Madeleine brings particular experience in administrative law, critical minerals, and sovereign land matters. She utilizes her previous work experience to better guide clients through permitting and regulatory matters, land ownership disputes, contractual matters, and development projects.

Madeleine’s goal is to help her clients creatively solve their legal concerns and she enjoys working across an array of industries, from oil and gas operations to utilities and everything in between. 

Education & Admissions

University of Utah, S. J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2022), High Honors

University of Colorado, Boulder (B.A., Geography, 2019), Honors with Distinction

Admissions

  • Utah
  • Maine
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Utah

Experience

Representative Experience

  • Negotiated the largest annual donation of in-stream flow rights in Utah.
  • Counseled clients, including a regulatory board, on evidentiary and procedural matters.
  • Advised client on the successful passage of landmark legislation benefitting Great Salt Lake.
  • Drafted and enrolled pioneering lithium extraction regulations.
  • Represented Utah in complex public trust and navigability-related lawsuits.
  • Advised client on exchange, sale, and cleanup of Brownfield and Superfund sites.
  • Advised client on wildfire matters relating to recovery of suppression costs, insurance in high fire-risk areas, and utility-related wildfire issues.
  • Organized an international working group on critical minerals in brine resources.
    Adjudicated over forty administrative hearings as a Wildlife Hearing Officer.

*Certain representations occurred prior to joining Dorsey

Professional & Civic

Professional Achievements

  • Patrick O’Hara Fellow, 2021-2023
  • S.J. Quinney College of Law Student Bar Association, 2020-2022
  • S.J. Quinney College of Law Commencement Speaker, 2022