Shannon M. Bleicher

Shannon Bleicher advises natural resource developers and regulated utilities on land, mineral, and regulatory matters. Shannon counsels natural resource clients on all phases and stages of transactions related to the development of subsurface natural resources, primarily in Alaska. She counsels regulatory clients on matters before the Regulatory Commission of Alaska.

Shannon’s natural resource practice focuses on transactions and development of subsurface natural resources. She helps clients lease, buy, and sell subsurface natural resources, obtain financing, permit projects at the state and local levels, resolve disputes, and navigate complex regulatory processes. Shannon has experience preparing oil and gas title opinions, mineral title reports, due diligence reports for mineral transactions, and advising clients on the acquisition of mineral interests on state, federal, and private land. Shannon enjoys learning about her clients’ businesses and strategizing with them on how to accomplish their goals.

Education

Creighton University School of Law, J.D., 2017, cum laude; Student Article Editor, Creighton Law Review

Creighton University Werner Institute, M.S., Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, 2017

Creighton University, B.A., Political Science, minor in Environmental Policy, 2012, magna cum laude; Graduation with Distinction in Political Science; Dean’s List

Admissions

Alaska

Nebraska

• Represented privately held mineral exploration company in due diligence and acquisition of patented lands, federal mining claims, severed surface rights from a Native corporation, and mineral rights from a separate Native corporation concerning a lithium prospect.
• Represented new entrant to mineral exploration in due diligence and acquisition of complex mineral rights package on State of Alaska lands.
• Advised operating gold mine regarding obtaining and maintaining necessary land access approvals, site selection, and access issues on state and private lands.
• Represented a new entrant to mineral exploration in due diligence and acquisition of mineral rights package on State of Alaska lands including advising with respect to the form and structure of operating agreements covering the property.
• Represented an Australian junior exploration company in due diligence and acquisition of complex land package consisting of state and federal mineral interests.
• Routinely prepare complex mineral title reports and opinions for various companies in Alaska.
• Routinely advise mining clients on maintaining State of Alaska mineral interests including permit applications and compliance, affidavits of labor, and rental payments.
• Advised companies regarding the transfer of interests and natural resource leases, permits, and other agreements.
• Represented public utilities before the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, including assisting with certificate acquisitions, tariff, revenue requirement, and rate design.
• Advised a nonprofit healthcare entity in acquiring and renewing tax exemptions from the local municipality.

Insights & Presentations

• “Affidavits of Labor: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How” (co-presenter), Alaska Miners Association Fairbanks Convention, 2024
• “Provisions to Ponder When Drafting Mining Service Agreement,” North American Mining, May 2024
• “It’s Mine! – Securing Mineral Tenure in Alaska” (co-presenter), Alaska Miners Association Anchorage Convention, 2022
• Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Proposes Regulation Changes” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Mineral Law blog, November 2, 2021
• “In Alaska, Non-Public Waters Within National Park Boundaries Cannot be Regulated by the NPS as if They Were Part of the Park,” Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation (RMMLF) Water Law Newsletter, Volume LIII, Number 1, 2020
• “Changes to Alaska’s Mining Laws – Qualification Statutes” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Mineral Law blog, June 2, 2020
• “Alaska’s Mineral Tenure Statutes Amended” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Mineral Law blog, May 13, 2020
• “Alaska DNR Issues Guidance for Placer Mining Operations During COVID-19” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Mineral Law blog, May 13, 2020
• “Alaska Suspends Fees for Easements, Rights-of-Way, and Mining Leases” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Mineral Law blog, April 9, 2020
• “AOGCC Implements Electronic Permitting Procedures in Response to Office Shutdowns Caused by COVID-19” (co-author), Stoel Rives’ Mineral Law blog, April 3, 2020
• “Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Issues No Action Assurance Memorandums in Response to COVID-19 Caused Non-Compliance Concerns” (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP legal alert, April 1, 2020
• “Alaska Legislature Approves Coronavirus Response Bill Temporarily Changing State Laws Affecting Utilities” (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP legal alert, March 31, 2020
• “Alaska Tightens Restrictions on Intrastate Travel and Social Distancing” (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP legal alert, March 29, 2020

• Included in Best Lawyers^®: Ones to Watch in America (Environmental Law), 2025
• Listed in the Alaska Business Legal Elite, 2023–2024

Professional

• Alaska Bar Association, Arctic Law Section, Co-Chair, 2021–present
• Water Law Newsletter, The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, Co-Reporter for Alaska, 2020-present
• Alaska Legal Services Corporation, Board Member (Alternate), 2024-present
• Alaska Miners Association, member
• Alaska Association of Professional Landmen, member

Civic

• Alaska Business Development Center, Volunteer Tax Preparer, 2018-present
• Alaska Legal Services Corporation Landlord Tenant Hotline, Volunteer Attorney
• Anchorage District Court Small Claims Mediation Program, Volunteer Mediator
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, former Big Sister Mentor