Matthew is a member of Parr Brown’s Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law team. Before joining Parr Brown, he was a partner at another Salt Lake law firm. He also served as a clerk to the Honorable Justice Matthew B. Durrant of the Utah Supreme Court.
Licensed in both Utah and Nevada, Mr. Jensen has assisted clients on a wide range of natural resource transactions, administrative proceedings, litigation, appeals, and legislative lobbying. Specifically, Mr. Jensen has advised clients in regards to water rights, mineral title, mining permits, geothermal energy issues, oil and gas development, stream alteration, section 404 wetland permits, and other areas. He has conducted comprehensive water rights analyses and due diligence for municipalities, private water companies, developers, and large farming operations.
Before attending law school, Mr. Jensen worked at Monsanto’s Enoch Valley Phosphate Mine, Bridger Coal Mine, and the Utah Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining (DOGM). He also worked for the University of Utah Seismograph Stations studying mining-induced seismicity. Mr. Jensen’s experience and education in mining engineering and geology help him to address highly technical legal matters and give him a unique perspective to many of the issues facing our clients.
Mr. Jensen was recognized in the 2017-2021 editions of Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the area of Environmental, Natural Resources & Regulated Industries. He has been continuously listed in Utah Business magazine as one of Utah’s Legal Elite in Energy & Natural Resources. He was also recognized in 2014-2018, and 2020-2021 by Mountain States Super Lawyers. Mr. Jensen has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for his work in Natural Resources and Water Law in 2019-2022.
Awards and Distinctions:
Publications & Speaking Engagements:
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Hydrology and the Law
Co-chair of the Law Seminars International “Hydrology and the Law” seminar in Salt Lake City, UT on November 24, 2014.
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Annual Update Author, Water Resources 2012 Annual Report (Utah Portion)
ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources The Year in Review 2012.
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Update Author/Editor, Chapter 6, Locatable Public Domain, American Law of Mining
Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation ed., 2d ed. 2012 update
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Annual Update Author, Water Resources 2011 Annual Report (Utah Portion)
ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources The Year in Review 2011.
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Evaluating and Quantifying Water Rights
Faculty Member, 18th Annual Conference on Utah Water Law, CLE International (October 21-22, 2010)
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Mining and Mineral Land Law
Faculty Member, Continuing Legal Education Services, Half Moon LLC (February 3, 2010)
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Reconciling Geothermal Resource Extraction With Western Water Law
Instructor, Groundwater Protection Council’s National Water/Energy Sustainability Symposium (September 13-16, 2009)
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Jurisdictional Waters in Light of the Rapanos Decision
Instructor, 2008 Salt Lake Countywide Watershed Symposium (October 28, 2008)
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Water Rights Sales and Transfers in Utah: Quantifying Water Rights
Instructor, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Lorman Education Services (July 18, 2008)
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Water Rights Sales and Transfers in Utah
Instructor, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Lorman Education Services (July 18, 2007)
-
Emerging Issues in Water Usage in Utah
Instructor, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Lorman Education Services (April 17, 2007)
Publications & Speaking Engagements:
-
Hydrology and the Law
Co-chair of the Law Seminars International “Hydrology and the Law” seminar in Salt Lake City, UT on November 24, 2014.
-
Annual Update Author, Water Resources 2012 Annual Report (Utah Portion)
ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources The Year in Review 2012.
-
Update Author/Editor, Chapter 6, Locatable Public Domain, American Law of Mining
Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation ed., 2d ed. 2012 update
-
Annual Update Author, Water Resources 2011 Annual Report (Utah Portion)
ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources The Year in Review 2011.
-
Evaluating and Quantifying Water Rights
Faculty Member, 18th Annual Conference on Utah Water Law, CLE International (October 21-22, 2010)
-
Mining and Mineral Land Law
Faculty Member, Continuing Legal Education Services, Half Moon LLC (February 3, 2010)
-
Reconciling Geothermal Resource Extraction With Western Water Law
Instructor, Groundwater Protection Council’s National Water/Energy Sustainability Symposium (September 13-16, 2009)
-
Jurisdictional Waters in Light of the Rapanos Decision
Instructor, 2008 Salt Lake Countywide Watershed Symposium (October 28, 2008)
-
Water Rights Sales and Transfers in Utah: Quantifying Water Rights
Instructor, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Lorman Education Services (July 18, 2008)
-
Water Rights Sales and Transfers in Utah
Instructor, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Lorman Education Services (July 18, 2007)
-
Emerging Issues in Water Usage in Utah
Instructor, Continuing Legal Education Seminar, Lorman Education Services (April 17, 2007)