The Denver Business Journal has named Denver attorney Heidi Ruckriegle as one of Colorado’s most important and influential female leaders in the state’s energy industry. The recognition, part of the publication’s annual “Top Women in Energy” awards, recognizes leaders from a variety of industries including law, accounting, finance, oil and gas, utilities, midstream and education.

“Heidi’s work is impacting Colorado businesses and residents in a number of ways, from helping to clarify federal and state laws to developing innovative solutions to complex development issues that create a blueprint for future collaboration between industry and other productive uses of land across the West,” said Ken Salazar, the partner-in-charge of WilmerHale's Denver office. “Equally impressive, Heidi prioritizes giving back to the community in which she works and lives, and she is one of the most passionate advocates at WilmerHale for using her education and expertise to help those who are not in a position to fight for themselves.” 

In recognizing Ruckriegle, the Denver Business Journal acknowledged her pivotal role in a land-use issue with a proposed multibillion-dollar, multi-thousand acre master-planned community in Colorado. She helped identify and build consensus among parties whose interests were not necessarily aligned but whose results would be increased by working together strategically and thoughtfully.

In this particular case, Ruckriegle worked with three disparate parties—the land developer, the local municipality and rights-holding extraction companies—to develop a comprehensive plan that protects the interests of the parties while working to maximize the long-term success for each. Ruckriegle’s work establishing a framework that allowed all three parties to come to a consensus without the need for litigation was invaluable to the client.