Crystal J. McDonough, ESQ.
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Crystal J. McDonough is an attorney and founder of McDonough Law, a Colorado and Wyoming corporate law firm with an energy, utilities, and natural resources practice serving corporate clients throughout Colorado and Wyoming. Crystal provides legal representation to companies of all sizes and they rely on her to guide them through business cycle phases including formation, growth, and sales. Crystal’s comprehensive understanding of the commercial environment, in a variety of industries including renewable energy, utilities, oil and gas, real estate, construction, have made her a trusted legal advisor for business owners.
Prior to attending law school, Crystal was a business owner and was in the professional world for 15 years. Her experience of being both a business owner and business attorney bring a unique perspective to her legal practice at McDonough Law. Crystal understands firsthand the changes and challenges that businesses can encounter. She is a passionate advocate for her corporate clients and works hard to help them build and protect their respective companies. Crystal runs a creative and modern business law practice that aims to find workable solutions to even the most complex legal problems.
As an attorney, Crystal provides legal counsel to companies of all sizes. She regularly serves as outside counsel or general counsel for small and medium sized Colorado and Wyoming corporations. Crystal works directly with her business clients’ administrative teams to learn their business goals and then collaborates with them to create legal strategies that protect their business’ interests. Her business law services include basic corporate formation, legal document preparation, contract drafting and review, as well as negotiation and litigation.
Crystal J. McDonough is one of the top legal advisors in the Rocky Mountain region on energy, natural resources, policy, federal and state administrative matters, land use, renewable energy, and environmental issues. She spent the past twelve years learning and working in legal and policy areas related to our nation’s energy and natural resources. Crystal has personally visited coalbed methane wells, oil and natural gas fracking sites, a frack-water treatment plant, hydro dams, a wind farm built on the site of a reclaimed coal mine, and a uranium mine. She has also visited the largest surface coal mine in Wyoming. These onsite experiences with the energy sector give her a deep understanding of the industry and have helped to inform her energy law legal practice.
Crystal has represented clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Wyoming Public Service Commission, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, and federal and state courts. She has extensive experience with the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA), and the proper siting of renewable energy developments.
Crystal spends her spare time with her husband, three children, and their two rescue dogs. She is a Colorado native and grew up in the Grand Lake area. She enjoys spending time in the mountains, camping, and traveling cross-country with her family.
Practice Areas
Energy & Utilities
Natural Resources
Business & Corporate Law
Admissions
State of Colorado
State of Wyoming
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming
Education
Juris Doctor, University of Wyoming College of Law
Master of Arts, Energy, Environment and Natural Resources, University of Wyoming, Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources
Bachelor of Arts, English Literature, University of Northern Colorado
Associate of Arts, Piano Performance, Cottey College
Recognition
Top Women in Energy, Denver Business Journal (2019)
Best Oil and Gas Lawyer, Barrister’s Best – Barrister’s Choice, Law Week Colorado (2018)
Top Women Lawyers, Law Week Colorado (2018)
Natural Resources & Energy Lawyer of the Year – USA, Finance Monthly Law Award (2018)
Women in Law 2018 Award, Lawyer Monthly (2018)
Best Oil and Gas Lawyer, Barrister’s Best – People’s Choice, Law Week Colorado (2017)
Professional Organizations & Affiliations
Energy Bar Association, Rocky Mountain Chapter
– President (2016-2017)
– Officer and Director Positions (2012 – present)
Energy Bar Association, National Chapter
– Chair, Solo and Small Firm Council (2017-2018)
– Board of Directors (2015 – 2017)
Colorado Bar Association
Wyoming Bar Association
Colorado Women of Influence (2012-2013)
Better Business Bureau, Northern Colorado and Wyoming
Energy Industry Experience
University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources, Energy Research
Wyoming State Legislative Service Office, Wind Energy Research
Member, Drafting Committee of Wind Energy Rights Act, Wyoming State Legislature, 2010 Joint Interim Judicial Committee
Wyoming State Legislature, 2010 Joint Interim Wind Energy Task Force, Wind Energy Research
Publications/Presentations
Interview, Drilling Further Into ‘Necessary and Reasonable,’ Law Week Colorado (2019).
Interview, Six Words Worth a Universe of Questions, Law Week Colorado (2019).
Author, 2018 Farm Bill, Four Areas that Will Affect Farmers, Ranchers and AG Communities, The Fence Post (2019).
Author, Explaining the Farm Bill, The Fence Post (2019).
Interview, Competing Ballot Initiatives Could Open Legal Pandora’s Box, Law Week Colorado (2018).
Interview, Energy Practice Snapshot, Law Week Colorado (2017).
Interview, Push and Pull Between Marijuana, Energy Industries, Law Week Colorado (2017).
Co-Presented, A Growing Issue: How Does “Legalized” Marijuana Affect Electric Utilities?, Energy Bar Association 2017 Annual Meeting and Conference (2017).
Co-Author, Service Provider or Accomplice: Considerations When Electric Service is Used for Illegal Activity, Legal Reporting Service, National
Rural Electric Cooperative Association (2016).
Co-Author, Commercial Wind Energy Development in Wyoming: A Guide for Landowners, Wind Energy Resource Guide, Haub School of
Environment and Natural Resources and Ruckelshaus Institute, the School of Energy Resources and the UW Extension Office (2011).
Author, Wind Blows Through the Capitol, 34 WYO. LAW. NO. 2, at 20-22 (2011).
Co-Presented, Understanding Government Influence and Intervention on Wind Energy Development: An Overview of Federal and Wyoming
Policy at the Wyoming Water and Natural Resources Law International CLE (2011).
Author, Just Compensation in Eminent Domain Proceedings, 2010 Legislative Wind Energy Task Force, Wyoming State Legislature (2010).
Author, Condemning the Wind: Eminent Domain Issues for Wind Collector Systems, 2010 Legislative Wind Energy Task Force, Wyoming State Legislature (2010).