Jeffrey Wechsler

Mr. Wechsler concentrates his practice in the areas of water, environmental, natural resources, public utility regulation, and complex litigation.

In the area of water law, Mr. Wechsler has litigated cases and negotiated agreements involving surface and ground water throughout the West.  He regularly represents public and private clients in litigation before state and federal courts, in stream adjudication suits, and before the New Mexico State Engineer.  Mr. Wechsler has continuously represented states before the United States Supreme Court in interstate water litigation since 2002.  He is currently counsel for the State of Montana in Montana v. Wyoming & North Dakota, No. 137 Original, for the State of Kansas inKansas v. Nebraska & Colorado, No. 126 Original, and for the State of New Mexico in Texas v. New Mexico, No. 141 Original.  He has worked extensively with experts in the areas of ground water and surface water hydrology, and regularly advises clients on the sale, lease, transfer, and permitting of water rights.  Representative water clients include states, municipalities, ranchers, energy companies, developers, utilities, private industry, and farmers.

In the area of environmental law, Mr. Wechsler advises clients on the impact of applicable laws and assists them with permit applications, agency negotiations and litigation. Mr. Wechsler has represented clients in the litigation and resolution of environmental matters in the areas of water quality, air quality, solid waste, and hazardous waste.  He also has experience with the Endangered Species Act, CERCLA, NEPA and the defense of environmental contamination claims.  Mr. Wechsler has represented clients before the New Mexico Environment Department, the Environmental Improvement Board, the Water Quality Control Commission and state and federal courts.  Representative environmental clients include many of the leading energy companies operating in New Mexico, water and electric utilities, national laboratories, and municipalities.

In the area of public utility regulation, Mr. Wechsler represents public utilities before the Public Regulation Commission.  His experience includes general rate cases, certificate proceedings for new carriers and facilities, and disputes between neighboring utilities.

In addition, Mr. Wechsler has represented clients in complex civil litigation in the areas of natural resources, eminent domain, land use and education.