W. John Tietz

Bio

Mr. Tietz is a shareholder in Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry & Hoven, P.C., and is rated as one of Montana's top Environmental & Natural Resources attorneys according to Chambers USA 2010. Mr. Tietz’s practice concentrates on water law where he represents clients before the Montana Water Court in the statewide water rights adjudication, before state district courts in water distribution matters, as well as before the Montana Department of Natural Resources regarding the permitting of new water rights.
Mr. Tietz’s practice also includes representing clients in environmental and natural resource permitting and compliance, property and real estate litigation, and FELA defense. Mr. Tietz has experience in the areas of state and federal superfund, environmental permitting and regulatory compliance, environmental and natural resources litigation, and administrative proceedings.

Prior to joining Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry & Hoven, P.C. in 2004, Mr. Tietz worked in the environmental consulting field in Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Mr. Tietz managed the northwest operations of Onyx Environmental Services, LLC, an international environmental and hazardous waste services company. received his Bachelors of Science from Montana State University in 1987 and received his Juris Doctor degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Seattle University School of Law in 2004. Mr. Tietz is a member of BKBH’s Environmental and Natural Resources and Litigation Practice Groups, and is licensed to practice in the state and federal courts in Montana and in the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Representative Matters

• Successfully represented individuals and corporations in water rights matters before the Montana Water Court, Montana District Courts, and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

• On behalf of seven Montana cities, challenged the state of Montana’s issuance of a general storm water permit.

• Successfully represented Montana businesses in environmental permit proceedings before the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

• Prevailed in a land owner’s challenge to an application for an easement to cross state land.

Professional Experience

BROWNING, KALECZYC, BERRY & HOVEN, P.C.
Helena, Montana
Partner, 2004 to Present

CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY
Seattle, Washington
Legal Extern, August 2004 to December 2004

Research and writing on the use of exempt groundwater wells in large-lot subdivisions.

WASHINGTON SATE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE – LABOR AND INDUSTRY SECTION
Lacey, Washington
Rule 9 Summer Law Clerk, June 2003 to August 2003

Researched and drafted legal memoranda, motions, and briefs; agued before Washington Superior Court.

ONYX ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, LLC
Seattle, Washington
Northwest Branch Manager, July 1996 to March 2001 Managed the Pacific Northwest Branch of an international hazardous waste management company, providing in-plant and on-site hazardous waste management, transportation, recycling, and disposal services. Conducted environmental compliance audits of company-owned and third-party hazardous waste facilities.

SPECIAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT / CHEMICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT, INC.
Butte, Montana and Portland, Oregon
Operations Manager, September 2004 to July 1996

Managed field operations for Chemical Waste Management, Inc. providing environmental, remediation, and transportation services to hazardous waste generators in Montana, Idaho, and Oregon.