EXPERIENCE

Mr. Mercer's primary focus is representation of clients before government agencies in energy and environmental regulatory matters as well as litigation related to the development of natural resources. To minimize the probability of civil or criminal liability for business entities, Mr. Mercer provides compliance counseling. He also represents companies and individuals in response to state and federal investigations and cases.

Prior to joining Holland & Hart, Mr. Mercer served in the U.S. Department of Justice for twenty years in Montana and Washington, D.C. In Montana, he served as United States Attorney from 2001 through 2009 and as Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1994 to 2001. He was responsible for natural resources litigation, prosecution of criminal cases, and appellate practice on behalf of the United States. Mr. Mercer has tried seven civil and criminal trials in federal court and participated in eighteen oral arguments in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

From June 2005 through July 2007, Mr. Mercer served as a senior Justice Department official in the positions of Acting Associate Attorney General and Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General. As Acting Associate Attorney General, he served as the third-ranking official in the DOJ and had oversight responsibilities for five litigating divisions (Antitrust, Civil, Civil Rights, Environment and Natural Resources and Tax) with criminal and civil cases.

In 2004 and 2005, Mr. Mercer served as Chairman of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee of United States Attorneys (AGAC). From 2001 through 2007, Mr. Mercer served as a member of the Advisory Committee on Rules of Practice and Internal Operating Procedures for the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

HONORS

Recipient of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation's two alumni awards, the Elmer B. Staats Award and the Judge Joseph E. Stevens, Jr. Award

In 2002, Mr. Mercer was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award from George Mason University School of Law.

EDUCATION

George Mason University School of Law (J.D. 1993)

Harvard University (M.P.A. 1988)
- John F. Kennedy School of Government

University of Montana (B.A. 1986)
- 1984 Truman Scholar, Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation