Environmental Law Litigation - Environmental
Monica M. Jacobs
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Monica M. Jacobs has been practicing Texas water law for more than twenty years. She focuses her practice on strategic water supply planning and water asset management for both surface water and groundwater rights. Ms. Jacobs chairs Kelly Hart's Water Law practice group, and is a registered lobbyist. Her experience includes:
Water Resources: water supply and water rights management for large landowners, industrial users and major Texas municipalities; surface water permitting at TCEQ; groundwater permitting at various groundwater conservation districts throughout Texas; project development and long-term planning; pre-transaction due diligence regarding water rights and water supply; water rights sales and leases; enforcement actions involving water assets; advocacy regarding the development of Texas water law and policy in a variety of contexts, including at the Texas legislature
Contested Case Hearings/Litigation: first-chairing numerous complex contested case hearings from the application stage through live hearing and post-hearing briefing; served as co-counsel in related lawsuits and appeal
Overview
- The University of Texas, JD, graduated 1998
- University of Houston, BS, graduated 1995
- Texas, 1998
- Austin Bar Association - Environmental, Natural Resources and Water Law Section Chair, 2005-2008
- Permian Basin Petroleum Association (PBPA) - Water Committee, Member
- Texas Association of Groundwater Districts (TAGD) - Associate Member, Legislative Committee
- Texas Bar Foundation - Life Fellow
- Texas Water Conservation Association (TWCA) - Member of Surface Water Committee and Groundwater Committee
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, 2010
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 2010
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 2011
- Texas, 1998
- Austin Bar Association - Environmental, Natural Resources and Water Law Section Chair, 2005-2008
- Permian Basin Petroleum Association (PBPA) - Water Committee, Member
- Texas Association of Groundwater Districts (TAGD) - Associate Member, Legislative Committee
- Texas Bar Foundation - Life Fellow
- Texas Water Conservation Association (TWCA) - Member of Surface Water Committee and Groundwater Committee
- The University of Texas, JD, graduated 1998
- University of Houston, BS, graduated 1995
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, 2010
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 2010
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 2011
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Environmental Law
- Litigation - Environmental
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Water Law
Awards:
Best Lawyers in America®, U.S. News & World Report, 2022-2026
- Litigation | Environmental
- Energy/Environmental Trailblazer, National Law Journal, 2021
Top Attorney, 360 West magazine, 2021, 2025
- Land Use | Environment
Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star, Thomson Reuters, 2004-2013
- Environmental Law
- Outstanding Young Alumni Award from University of Houston Honors College, 2000
News & Media
Case History
Cases
- Contamination Lawsuits
Counsel for industry (oil and gas/mining) in multiple alleged groundwater contamination lawsuits
- Injection Well
First Chair in Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) contested case hearing regarding a Class III injection well area permit application, aquifer exemption and application for a production area authorization for new in situ uranium mine; received favorable decision from Commission on all issues
- Groundwater Acquisition
Lead counsel for private-equity-backed midstream energy company in large-scale $500 million acquisition of groundwater portion of surface estate and related assets in the Permian Basin
- Water enforcement
Represented landowner in TCEQ surface water enforcement action and subsequent permitting of lakes and dams on large ranch
Transactions
- Water Lease
Negotiated/drafted long-term surface water lease between a large power plant and major municipality
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