Colby L. Branch joined the firm’s natural resource department in 1999, after graduating with highest honors from the Gonzaga University School of Law. While at Gonzaga, he was a recipient of the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Joe Rudd Scholarship, awarded to outstanding candidates in the field of natural resource law. He has a M.S. degree in Geology, and worked as an independent petroleum geologist in Northern Montana for eight years prior to attending law school. Mr. Branch reports on recent developments in Montana oil and gas law for the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation’s Mineral Law Newsletter, updates several chapters in the Foundation’s treatises regarding mining and federal oil and gas leasing, and recently co-authored Crossing the 39th Parallel: Land Issues for Oil and Gas Operations in the U.S. and Canada, presented at the Foundation’s 46th Annual Institute. Mr. Branch sits on the Board of Directors for the Montana Petroleum Association. He is admitted to the practice of law in Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming.

E-mail: cbranch@crowleylaw.com