Water Law

Our lawyers have decades of experience representing individuals, private companies, and governmental agencies in water rights and water resource issues. Our clients include ranchers, farmers, developers, urban water suppliers, and irrigation and reclamation districts in California, Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, New Mexico, and Nevada. We have also participated in the adjudication of water rights before administrative agencies and in state and federal courts in several western states. We have worked with federal water masters under existing federal river decrees, and litigated these issues in federal and state courts in several western states.

Our attorneys are knowledgeable, creative and hardworking. Whenever possible, we seek solutions to problems that will avoid disputes and litigation. When necessary, we are prepared to be tenacious advocates for our clients, bringing to bear our extensive experience in trial and appellate courts.

Project Experience

Surface water diversions, including fish screens
Surface water reservoirs, including fish passage facilities
Hydroelectric power generation
Groundwater extraction
Large scale groundwater appropriation and interbasin transfer projects
Conjunctive use programs, including groundwater recharge with both native and imported water
Banking arrangements in off-site groundwater storage
Recycled water acquisition, transmission and distribution
Desalination of brackish groundwater
Water treatment plants
Water transfers