Secretary Ken Salazar, Former US Ambassador to Mexico, Rejoins WilmerHale

Secretary Ken Salazar, Former US Ambassador to Mexico, Rejoins WilmerHale

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WilmerHale is pleased to announce that Secretary Ken Salazar, most recently the US ambassador to Mexico, is rejoining the firm as Senior Counsel, based in the firm’s Denver office which he founded in 2014 as its first partner.

Secretary Salazar is among the nation’s most accomplished public servants, having served as Colorado’s Attorney General, United States Senator, and Secretary of Interior. He is recognized for his ability in handling complex regulatory interstate and international matters in natural resources, environmental, Native American, business law, trade with Latin America, the legislative process and law enforcement. He is scheduled to officially rejoin the firm in early June.

Salazar recently concluded his tenure as the top US diplomat in Mexico, a position he held from 2021 to 2025. He played a pivotal role in strengthening US-Mexico relations. During his time as Ambassador, the US and Mexico became the number one trading partners in the world. He also led efforts by both countries to bring Mexican drug cartel leaders to justice in the US.

Before his ambassadorship, Salazar was a partner at WilmerHale for eight years. He chaired the firm’s Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Practice Group which he is rejoining.

“Ken has given extraordinary service to our nation at the most senior levels of government and now returns to the firm to give our clients the benefit of his remarkable experience and wisdom,” said WilmerHale Managing Partner Anjan Sahni. “We are thrilled to welcome him back to our very successful Denver office, which he launched 11 years ago.”

“It’s great to be back home in Colorado and to once again be a proud member of WilmerHale, a firm that demonstrates its commitment to clients, excellence, and the law every day,” Salazar said.

From January 2009 to April 2013, Salazar served in the Obama Administration as the 50th Interior Secretary after being confirmed unanimously by the US Senate. As Interior Secretary, Salazar led the nation's efforts to achieve energy independence, overseeing the exploration and development of conventional and renewable energy resources on public lands and oceans. Under his leadership, more than 11,000 MW of renewable energy projects were permitted on public lands, and the first offshore wind energy plan for the Atlantic Ocean was created. 

As a US Senator from Colorado, Salazar was a sponsor and leader in the enactment of major energy legislation, including the 2005 Energy Policy Act, the 2006 Gulf of Mexico Security Act, and the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act. He was also a key architect of the 2009 Omnibus Public Lands Law, the most significant conservation measure enacted in 50 years. He served the Energy, Finance, Agricultural, and Veterans Affairs Committees.

During his time as Colorado Attorney General, Salazar oversaw thousands of civil and criminal legal matters and investigations, including high-profile cases such the Columbine High School killings. He also led the resolution of complex natural resource and environmental conflicts, including longstanding natural resource damage cases.

Salazar's legal career began in Denver, where he practiced natural resources and water law, representing clients in both transactional and litigation matters. He holds a JD degree from the University of Michigan and BA in political science from Colorado College, and Honorary Doctorates from those schools, as well as the University of Massachusetts, the University of Denver, and the Colorado School of Mines.

Salazar is admitted to practice law before the US Supreme Court, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Colorado Supreme Court.

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