Steven J. Christiansen, Energy Attorney in Salt Lake City, Utah
focused on Energy, Environmental, and General
Salt Lake City, UT
Trusted energy attorney serving Salt Lake City.
- 4
- Bar admissions
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Quick answer
Steven J. Christiansen is an attorney based in Salt Lake City, UTAH. The practice focuses on Energy, Environmental, and General.
- Based in
- Salt Lake City, UTAH
- Experience
- attorney
- Known for
- Energy · Environmental · General
- Handles Energy, Environmental, and General matters from Salt Lake City, UTAH.
- Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Mining Law (Salt Lake City) (2026).
About Steven J. Christiansen: Steven J. Christiansen is an attorney based in Salt Lake City, UTAH. The practice focuses on Energy, Environmental, and General.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Steven takes on
Steven concentrates on energy, environmental, and general. Each area below outlines the kind of case Steven handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Energy
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Environmental
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General
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Energy cases in Salt Lake City, Utah
Steven takes energy matters in Salt Lake City, Utah. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Steven agrees to represent you.
Environmental cases in Salt Lake City, Utah
Steven takes environmental matters in Salt Lake City, Utah. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Steven agrees to represent you.
General cases in Salt Lake City, Utah
Steven takes general matters in Salt Lake City, Utah. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Steven agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Steven J. Christiansen — energy lawyer in Salt Lake City
Steven J. Christiansen is an attorney based in Salt Lake City, UTAH. The practice focuses on Energy, Environmental, and General.
Steven Christiansen has over 30 years experience with environmental permitting and enforcement matters, RCRA and CERCLA remediation, air emission credits transactions, climate change, state implementation plan development, environmental legislation, NEPA, public lands permitting, environmental aspects of business transactions, brownfield redevelopment, and the administrative rule-making process. He also works in the areas of energy and public utilities law.
Mr. Christiansen actively represents mining, petroleum, chemical, energy, and public utility interests throughout the western United States and Canada.
Mr. Christiansen is licensed to practice law in Arizona, California, Utah, and Washington, D.C. He was elected as Chair of the Great Basin Chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association for 2008. As a member of the Utah State Bar, he has served twice as Chair of the Environmental Law Committee within the Section on Energy, Natural Resources and Environment. From 1990-2002, Mr. Christiansen served as an Adjunct Professor at the J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, teaching a course in environmental law.
Mr. Christiansen is asked frequently to speak and write on issues related to the environment, energy and natural resources. He has been a presenter at national business institutes, the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute, Utah Manufacturers Association, Utah State Bar, Arizona State Bar, the Cambridge Institute, the International Cogeneration Society, the Resource Recovery Institute, Air and Waste Management Association and the American Bar Association.
Mr. Christiansen was ranked as one of the top environmental and land use attorneys in Utah since its inception in 2004 by Utah Business magazine as one of Utah’s Legal Elite. He is recognized in the 2007-2015 editions of Best Lawyers in America for Environmental law, and was awarded “Lawyer of the Year“ in 2015. He was listed in the 2009-2014 editions of Mountain States Super Lawyers. He has also been named one of the top Energy & Natural Resources lawyers in Utah in the 2011-2014 editions of Chambers USA – America’s Leading Business Lawyers. Mr. Christiansen has also been awarded an AV rating – the highest awarded by Martindale-Hubbell.
In the news:
What does warning label from California really mean?, ksl.com – November 2013
Utah CEO Magazine September 2010 – Ready for ANYTHING
- Energy Industry Eagerly Awaits Duke Energy Verdict Energy Law 360, February 23, 2007.
- California’s Cutting Edge Laws EnergyBiz Insider, October 20, 2006.
- The Huntsman Administration and the Environment Utah Business, April 2005
- EPA Lawsuits Against Utilities on New Source Review Compliance Reach Pivotal Year Hazardous Waste, February 14, 2003
- New Source Review Reform Generates Polarized Views, Hazardous Waste, February 28, 2003.
- Hazardous Air Pollutants: An Update of Activities Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act 2000 Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Institute, Salt Lake City, UT and publication in the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, February 2000.
How Steven handles energy matters
Steven Christiansen has over 30 years experience with environmental permitting and enforcement matters, RCRA and CERCLA remediation, air emission credits transactions, climate change, state implementation plan development, environmental legislation, NEPA, public lands permitting, environmental aspects of business transactions, brownfield redevelopment, and the administrative rule-making process.…
The kind of cases Steven takes
Steven reviews new inquiries case-by-case for energy, environmental, and general matters in Salt Lake City and the surrounding Utah area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Brigham Young University
J.D. · 1982
Brigham Young University
BA · 1979
Jurisdictions
Steven's state bar admissions
Utah, Utah State Bar
ACTIVE
California, Californ
ACTIVE
District of Columbia
ACTIVE
Arizona, Arizona Sta
ACTIVE
Steven studied at J.D. in Brigham Young University and BA in Brigham Young University.
Law school and academic background
Steven completed J.D. in Brigham Young University and BA in Brigham Young University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Steven runs in Utah is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
Steven has received 14 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Lawyer of the Year — Mining Law (Salt Lake City)
2026
Lawyer of the Year — Environmental Law (Salt Lake City)
2024
Lawyer of the Year — Environmental Law (Salt Lake City)
2015
Best Lawyers in America — Energy Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mining Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Natural Resources Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Water Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Utah Business magazine Top environmental and land use attorneys in Utah
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mountain States Super Lawyers
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
2026
Best Lawyers in America — AV rating – the highest awarded by Martindale-Hubbell
2026
Legal awards and honors
Lawyer of the Year — Mining Law (Salt Lake City) (2026). Lawyer of the Year — Environmental Law (Salt Lake City) (2024). Lawyer of the Year — Environmental Law (Salt Lake City) (2015). Best Lawyers in America — Energy Law (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Mining Law (2026).
Locations
Steven J. Christiansen's office in Salt Lake City
Steven's primary office is at 101 South 200 East, Suite 700, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of Steven J. Christiansen
Steven has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Steven J. Christiansen — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new energy attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Steven usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Steven charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Steven's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Steven will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a energy attorney in Salt Lake City, Utah
A short list to run through before you commit: How many energy matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Steven
Steven discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in energy practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every energy matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Steven confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Steven's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many energy practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Steven J. Christiansen
How much does it cost to hire Steven for a energy case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Steven walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Steven offer a free consultation?
Steven charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Steven's office. Some energy attorneys offer free consults — check Steven's current terms during booking.
How long do energy cases in Utah typically take?
Simple energy matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Steven gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Steven take my case if I'm outside Salt Lake City?
Steven is licensed in Utah. Matters governed by Utah law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Steven will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Steven?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Steven will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Steven accepting new energy clients right now?
Steven's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Energy attorneys serving Salt Lake City, Provo and Sandy in Utah
Steven handles energy matters throughout Utah. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified energy attorneys in that community.
More counsel
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If Steven's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these energy attorneys in Salt Lake City handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.