Tess R. Peterson

Tess Peterson joined the Firm as a Law Clerk in 2024, and will become an Associate upon passing the Colorado Bar Exam in 2025. She will graduate from the S.J. Quinney College of Law (SJQ) at the University of Utah in May 2025 with a Juris Doctor degree and a certificate in Environmental & Natural Resources Law. During law school, Tess has served as Chief of Staff for SJQ’s Student Bar Association, Vice President of Trail Club, and member of the Natural Resources Law Forum. Tess is a scholarship recipient from the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (formerly the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation) and the NAACP. Prior to law school, she attended Western Colorado University, where she graduated summa cum laude, with a degree in Environment & Sustainability, and a Pre-Law minor. At Western, Tess was co-captain of the Mock Trial team, a Senator in student government, and a Sustainability Coordinator in the Leadership, Engagement and Development office. Tess is excited to explore a variety of practice areas at the Firm, and is especially passionate about natural resources law, water law, civil litigation, and real estate. When not at the office, you can find Tess out on the incredible trails in the Gunnison Valley, usually running or backpacking. She also enjoys sewing, baking, and curling up with a good book.

Law of the Rockies

Gunnison, Colorado

August 2024 to Present

Law Clerk

Holland & Hart, LLP 

May 2024–July 2024

Summer Associate. Contributed to a variety of environmental, energy, and natural resources projects. Researched legal issues and drafted summary memoranda for supervising attorneys, drafted comment letters for clients, and completed other tasks as assigned. Developed skills for efficient timekeeping, effective intraoffice collaboration, and managing concurrent responsibilities.

Utah Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office 

May 2023–Dec. 2023

Legal Intern. Responsibilities included researching the legislative history and intent of federal statutes, evaluating novel legal arguments, analyzing federal agencies’ management plans and proposed policies, drafting cogent letters and memos, and researching other issues as assigned.

Sustainable Development Strategies Group 

Feb. 2022–Aug. 2022

Research Fellow. Developed, in collaboration with colleagues, a cogent and persuasive set of comments on a municipal utility’s resource plan. Assisted in creating a collaborative advocacy network with organizations, individuals, and municipal leaders. Dispatched newsletters, calls to action, and information bulletins.