Expert Legal Solutions for Land, Water, and Business.
The firm’s attorneys practice in the areas of California Water Law, Environmental Regulatory Compliance, Land Use and Real Estate, and Business Formation and Regulatory Compliance.
California Water Law
The firm specializes in California water law, emphasizing water rights, water rights permitting, water rights ligation, and compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
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Appropriative Rights – analyze whether appropriative rights have been perfected and maintained
Riparian Rights - analyze the complete chain of title of a property from original land patent to present, with mapping of watercourses
Compliance - verify whether a water right has been maintained in compliance with applicable requirements
Transferability - verify whether the title to a water right is transferable to a new owner and whether water diverted under the right is transferable to a new location
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Represent parties in civil court disputes concerning competing claims to water, water-sharing agreements, and rights of access
Defend water rights in the comprehensive watershed and groundwater basin adjudications Page 7 of 15
Represent water districts in administrative hearings before the State Water Resources Control Board
Advise the watermaster district responsible for administering water rights decrees
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Permitting new surface water rights
Prepare Statements of Water Diversion and Use
Draft water sale and transfer agreements and obtain regulatory approvals to transfer water
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Develop groundwater sustainability plans
Strategize subbasin coordination
Confirm legal adequacy of hydrogeological analyses
Environmental Regulatory Compliance
The firm helps clients comply with environmental regulatory programs affecting the use of land and water, including:
California Environmental Quality Act and National Environmental Policy Act compliance and litigation
State and federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance and permitting
Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreements
Land Use and Real Estate
The firm helps clients advance their real property interests by articulating clients’ rights, securing entitlements, asserting those rights and entitlements during negotiations, and obtaining agreements in the following contexts:
Boundary and Title Disputes
Easements
Agricultural Leases
Real Estate Due Diligence and Transactions
Wetlands and Endangered Species Regulations
Water Right Due Diligence
Local Land Use and Zoning Code Compliance and Use Permits
Lot Line Adjustments
Business Formation, Maintenance, and Transactions
The firm assists clients with business formation, regulatory compliance, and transactions in the following ways:
Drafting of Governing Documents (e.g., Operating Agreement)
Filing Articles and Statements with the California Secretary of State
Drafting Business Proposals and Agreements
Negotiating with Counterparties
Corporate Transparency Act Compliance
Formation of Mutual Water Companies and Water Districts
Navigating Local Agency Formation Commission Processes