Parsons Behle & Latimer

Mike Malmquist provides a key resource for clients seeking to site, permit, and, if challenged, defend their natural resource projects on both public and private lands. He brings a wealth of experience helping clients obtain and defend permits under federal, state and local law for a range of projects including renewable and traditional energy and mining.

Capabilities

Biography

Mike Malmquist is a shareholder of Parsons Behle & Latimer and works in the firm's Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources practice group. He helps clients site and develop renewable energy, mining, transportation and other projects by advising them on environmental permitting, land use authorization, public lands and NEPA issues and strategies. He also defends projects against permit appeals and lawsuits involving claims under NEPA, FLPMA, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water and Air Acts and other federal and state environmental, wildlife and public land laws. He has performed environmental and title diligence for various energy and natural resource acquisitions and mergers.

Mr. Malmquist was previously with the United States Department of Justice where his practice included trial and appellate litigation of cases involving NEPA, the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act and various Indian law and water law issues. He also represented the Department's position on legislative and policy issues with a focus on Western natural resources and water rights.

Mr. Malmquist is active in the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation and served as president of the Foundation during 2017-2018.

Experience

Solar Energy Acquisition

Represented buyer in acquisition of multiple utility scale solar projects totaling over 350MW and involving private, state and BLM land. Since acquisition, finalized permitting, land acquisition, environmental, title, and tax issues.

Renewable Energy

Represented client in securing construction financing and in the sale of equity in multiple utility scale solar projects totaling more than 350MW, and private, state and BLM land.

Sale of One of the World's Largest Gold Companies to Junior Mining Company

Represented client in sale of a gold mine to a junior mining company. Structured the sale, negotiated/documented all aspects of the transaction, including a private placement and the payment of a mine mortgage.

Accomplishments

Academic

University of Utah, College of Law (J.D., 1988)

Order of the Coif
University of Utah Law Review
Co-Chair of Natural Resources Law Forum
Dewsnup Fellow
Eccles Fellow

Gustavus Adolphus College (B.A. in Environmental Studies, 1977)

Honors: Cum Laude

Professional

2010 Lawyer of the Year, Utah Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental Bar Section

AV® Preeminent™ Rating, Martindale-Hubbell

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, Utah Business magazine’s Legal Elite, Chambers USA, and Mountain States Super Lawyers

Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year," Mining Law, Salt Lake City 2017, 2023

Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year," Environmental Law, Salt Lake City, 2021

Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year," Energy Law, Salt Lake City 2016, 2019, 2025

Best Lawyers in America "Lawyer of the Year," Natural Resources Law, Salt Lake City, 2025

Best Lawyers in America, "Best Lawyer," Energy Law, Environmental Law, Mining Law, Natural Resources Law 2005 - 2023

Practices before the Interior Board of Land Appeals and the Utah Board of Oil, Gas and Mining and multiple federal courts

Associations

Professional

Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
President
(2017-2018)
Vice President
(2016-2017)
Board of Directors
(2009 - 2010; 2016 - 2020)
Trustee
(2000 - 2016; 2020 to present)

Utah State Bar, Energy, Natural Resources and Environmental Law Section, Public Lands Committee
Past Chairman

University of Utah College of Law
Former Adjunct Professor

Insights

Parsons Behle & Latimer Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America

Parsons Behle & Latimer Attorney Michael J. Malmquist Presented with the Edward W. Clyde Distinguished Service Award by the Utah State Bar

Parsons Behle & Latimer Ranked Among Top Law Firms by Chambers and Partners USA

Parsons Behle & Latimer attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers in America

Presentations

Public Lands Rights-of-Way and Access - An Update

Credentials

Licensed

U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit

U.S. Court of Federal Claims

U.S. Dist. Court, Dist. of Utah

Utah

Education

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law