This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Thomas W. Olson
Of Counsel
(he, him, his)
Overview
Thomas represents public utilities and other clients with over four decades of experience in regulatory proceedings before the Public Regulation Commission and its two predecessor agencies, the Public Utility Commission and the State Corporation Commission.
His extensive utility regulatory experience includes numerous general rate cases and certificate proceedings for new carriers and facilities, including independent power projects; in ownership and control of utility systems and operations; the definition and regulation of competitive and noncompetitive services; the issuance of securities, and state interconnection and wholesale regulatory proceedings under the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Thomas also represents both sellers and purchasers in sales and purchases of utility systems including the sale of a statewide natural gas transmission and distribution utility, purchases of gas distribution utility systems serving several communities in southern New Mexico, and sales or purchases of water utility systems serving Santa Fe, Clovis, and Edgewood, New Mexico.
Within his wide breadth of practice, he has also represented clients, including financial institutions, in complex commercial, real estate, and financial transactions. Thomas has assisted numerous closing opinions on behalf of sellers, purchasers, and lenders. He has also advised hospitals in regard to the issuance of more than $50 million of tax-exempt revenue bonds issued by the City of Santa Fe, the New Mexico Hospital Equipment Loan Council, and the New Mexico Finance Authority to finance hospital construction and additions, and to advance refund existing indebtedness.
Prior to attending law school, Thomas served as an officer in the U.S. Army for two years. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he received the Bronze Star Medal for his service.
With considerable industry knowledge, Thomas is also an occasional speaker on public utility regulation, health care, real estate, banking, and equal access to justice.
Credentials
Education
- University of New Mexico School of Law, 1973 (J.D.), summa cum laude
- Stanford University, 1968 (B.A.)
- U.S. Army, 1st Lieutenant, Transportation Corps, 1968-1970
- State Bar of New Mexico, Access to Justice Fund Grant Commission, former Commissioner and Chair
- La Familia Medical Center, Secretary
- New Mexico Municipal Boundary Commission, Commissioner
- Santa Fe Community Foundation, Founding Director
- Santa Fe Partners in Education, Founding Director
- New Mexico Commission on Access to Justice, Former Commissioner
- Equal Access to Justice, Former Director
- Foundation for the Santa Fe Community College, Former Director and President
- United Way of Santa Fe County, Former Director, President; and Campaign Chair
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating
- Best Lawyers in America, Administrative / Regulatory Law; Energy Law; Health Care Law; Mining Law
- U.S. Army, Bronze Star Medal
- Governor’s State Energy Policy Advisory Council
- State Bar of New Mexico
- Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law Section
- Health Law Section
- Real Property, Probate and Trust Section
- American Bar Association
- Public Utility Section
- Communications and Transportation Industries Section
- Health Law Section