ANDREW SCHILL
EDUCATION, LICENSURE & COURT ADMISSION
University of Oklahoma, College of Law (2003)
Licensed in Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska
Admitted to practice before the 10th Circuit; District of Colorado; and the Eastern, Western and Northern Districts of Oklahoma
Since moving to Durango in 2007, Andrew has expanded the size of the firm, its areas of practice and clientele to serve the specialized needs of clients in energy, environmental and natural resources law. He has developed a heightened level of expertise in administrative and regulatory matters dealing with both state and federal agencies; permit applications, agency negotiations and the impact of changing environmental laws and regulations; renewable energy projects including wind and solar development; the acquisition and divestment of oil and gas properties; the preparation and oversite of complex mineral and leasehold title opinions; water law; Indian Law, especially how it relates to Federal, State and fee lands and the development of natural resources on Tribal lands; the formation of state and federal units; and related civil and administrative litigation in numerous jurisdictions.
Over the years, Andrew has represented numerous clients in various regulatory matters involving the Bureau of Land Management, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Forestry Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers and other federal and state agencies. Moreover, he has represented numerous clients on the Fort Berthold, Southern Ute, Jicarilla Apache and Navajo Reservations, demonstrating a distinct history of success in the leasing and development of Tribal and allotted lands. He has played a key role in resolving disputes with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Land Management, including persuading the federal government to recognize that the boundary of the Fort Berthold reservation extended to the south bank of Little Missouri River in North Dakota.
Andrew received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma, during which time he interned for Senate Majority Whip, Don Nickels in the United States Senate. In 2003, Andrew graduated from the University of Oklahoma College of Law where he was a member of the American Indian Law Review. He began practicing law at Pitchlynn & Associates, in Norman, Oklahoma, a dedicated Indian Law firm representing numerous tribal governments in state and federal Courts.
From 2004 to 2007, Andrew was a partner at Montgomery, Dixon & Schill where he maintained the firm’s long history in probate, estate planning, and title examination in Oklahoma. His litigation practice involved real property disputes, will contests and representation of landowners in oil and gas matters such as pollution, leasing and surface damages. He has successfully utilized creative approaches to obtain injunctive relief on behalf of clients in state and federal Courts, along with successfully defending clients in highly politicized criminal matters.
He and his wife Jan have three children, Olivia, Harper and George, and are closely involved in the community. As a family, they enjoy skiing, biking, rafting and time outdoors in the San Juan Mountains and the deserts of the southwest. Andrew is a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer and has gymnastics, masters and kids CrossFit certificates.