Profile
Courtney Shephard guides energy companies through complex regulatory landscapes in the Rocky Mountain West. Her experience spans conventional and low-carbon energy production, with a focus on federal regulatory compliance, permitting strategies, and resolving enforcement matters.
At the core of Courtney’s work is her comprehensive approach to environmental compliance. She adeptly maneuvers through complex federal mandates—including NEPA, Clean Air Act, and Endangered Species Act requirements—and handles federal administrative appeals. Her experience includes crafting site-specific development strategies for localized development challenges that with the goal of achieving both environmental protection and development objectives.
Leveraging her background in climate policy analysis, carbon market dynamics, and emissions accounting, Courtney collaborates with clients to develop comprehensive carbon management strategies. Her practice includes methane and CO2 reduction strategies, Class VI storage permitting, and pore space acquisitions. She also represents clients in rulemaking and permitting proceedings before the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission.
Access to adequate water supplies is a common project development challenge in the arid western United States. Courtney has more than a decade of experience working with private and municipal clients to appropriate, buy/sell, change, and protect water rights through private transactions and Colorado water court proceedings.
Courtney’s strategic vision and comprehensive understanding of regulatory frameworks have been instrumental in advancing numerous energy and infrastructure projects throughout the region. Her ability to synthesize complex regulatory requirements with practical business needs make her an asset to clients navigating the ever-changing energy landscape.
Concentrations
- Air quality
- Climate change policy
- Carbon capture & sequestration
- Carbon management
- Energy transition
- Environmental compliance and enforcement actions
- Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)
- Federal regulation, reviews, and permitting under the Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, Federal Land Policy and Management Act, Mineral Leasing Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and National Historic Preservation Act
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Low-carbon energy project development including geothermal, wind, solar, and battery storage
- Upstream and midstream oil & gas
- Water rights transactions and litigation
Capabilities
Experience
- Advised oil and gas, mining, and recreation clients on Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, Federal Land Policy and Management Act, Mineral Leasing Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and National Historic Preservation Act compliance and regulatory changes.
- Drafted and negotiated pore space, reforestation, and carbon credit agreements.°
- Developed wildlife mitigation strategies, and consulted on siting, mineral/surface owner, water, and noise issues for wind, solar, and battery storage developers.
- Represented buyers in wind and solar project transactions.
- Represented industry clients in Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (f/k/a Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission) rulemakings, and applications for oil and gas development plan, drilling and spacing units, and pooling.
- Represented multiple upstream oil and gas clients in federal Clean Air Act settlement negotiations.
- Represented clients in administrative appeals before the Bureau of Land Management, Interior Board of Land Appeals, and Office of Natural Resources Revenue involving lease suspensions and extensions, and royalty disputes.°
- Oversaw due diligence for taconite mines involved in multibillion-dollar transaction.°
- Counseled critical minerals mine client on federal environmental review issues.°
- Represented municipal, private, and non-profit groups in dozens of Colorado water court cases for changes of water rights, augmentation plans, and findings of reasonable diligence.
- Represented buyers and sellers in Colorado water rights and storage facility transactions.°
°The above representations were handled by Ms. Shephard prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, 5280 magazine, “Top Lawyers,” 2024
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, “Ones to Watch,” Energy Law and Environmental Law, 2021-2024
- The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (FNREL)
- Co-Chair, Programs Committee
- Member, Renewable Energy Task Force
- Member, Trustees Council
- Member, Planning Committee, National Environmental Policy Act Special Institute, 2023
- Co-Chair, Commercial Renewable Energy Project Development Special Institute, 2022
- Member, Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy
Credentials
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J.D., University of Colorado Law School
- Editor-in-Chief, Colorado Law Review
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M.E.M., Environmental Economics and Policy, Duke University
- Executive Editor, Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum
- B.A., Colorado College
- Colorado
- New Mexico
- Wyoming