Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, announced today that Simon H. Boyce has joined the firm’s Energy and Natural Resources practice as a managing director in its Washington, D.C., office. Boyce previously served as the deputy director and legislative counsel for the Navajo Nation Washington Office, where he advised tribal government officials and represented the Nation before federal agencies on energy and natural resources issues, as well as telecommunications and economic development matters.
Boyce has significant government affairs experience, focusing on telecommunications, energy, environmental, and natural resources law and policy, including: fossil and renewable energy development and regulation, environmental regulatory compliance, tribal water settlements, and rural Internet and wireless communication development. At the Navajo Nation, Boyce represented the tribe before federal agencies and Congress, and he has particularly deep experience advocating before the Department of Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency on federal permit approvals and the development of federal rules and policies. He also effectively led negotiations with the federal government to address outstanding environmental, natural resources and trust-related matters.
“Tribal lands contain a substantial amount of natural resources, and with much control belonging to federal agencies, Simon will be an immediate asset to clients navigating the complex intersection of energy development and government oversight,” said Craig Moyer, chair of Manatt’s Land, Environment and Natural Resources division. “The strength of his relationships with critical agencies, combined with his intimate knowledge of government intricacies in the energy and environmental spaces, make Simon a great fit. We’re delighted to welcome him to Manatt.”
In addition, Boyce counseled the Navajo Nation on information and communications technology infrastructure and regulatory issues before the Federal Communications Commission and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, as well as on the development of an initiative to protect tribal intellectual property. He has served in multiple roles at the Navajo Nation Washington Office over the past decade, including as an acting executive director and a government and legislative affairs associate.
“I’ve been impressed with the firm’s superior quality of work and sophisticated counseling since it led the Navajo Nation’s acquisition of the Navajo Mine last year,” said Boyce. “With its prominent reputation in Washington and deep industry expertise, Manatt provides an ideal platform to build my practice. I’m very enthusiastic about the opportunities and excited to collaborate with my new colleagues.”
Manatt’s Energy and Natural Resources practice has broad and deep experience in dealing with the complex and diverse issues – as well as the substantial opportunities – facing energy and natural resources industries today. Manatt lawyers represent clients that cover the full spectrum of energy and natural resources, from production to consumption and all the steps in between, as well as industry proponents and opponents, applicants and interveners. The practice has been nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report as part of its 2015 “Best Law Firms” rankings.
Boyce earned a B.A. and an M.A. at Ohio University and an M.S. and J.D., cum laude, at Syracuse University. He is currently a Doctor of Philosophy candidate at the University of Maryland.
Source: www.manatt.com
