Best Lawyers in America for Water Law

David G. Mandelbaum is a shareholder in Greenberg Traurig's Litigation and Environmental Groups. http://www.gtlaw.com/People/davidmandelbaum CONCENTRATION Air, Water, and Waste Regulation Superfund and Contamination Climate Change Oil and Gas Development Water Rights SIGNIFICANT REPRESENTATIONS Representation of industrial clients in wastewater, solid waste, and air permitting matters; administrative appeals; and enforcement actions Advises clients on sustainability and climate change, risk m...

Chair of the firm’s Environmental Department, Erika Powers’ practice is totally focused on nationwide water quality issues. Her ability to understand the most complex details of a matter without losing sight of the macro agenda and big-picture client objectives is critical when analyzing the intersection of science and law surrounding water quality regulation. Notably, Erika provides veteran legal counsel regarding regulatory matters involving state and federal environmental agenc...

Newman Jackson Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Government Relations Practice, Litigation - Environmental and Water Law. Newman Jackson, who practices law in Charleston, South Carolina, has been recognized since 1993. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Newman Jackson is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Rose brings more than 40 years of experience in Utah water law, real estate, and local government advisement. He represents a wide range of clients, including public water suppliers, municipalities, special districts, private water companies, irrigation companies, real estate developers, and individuals in all matters related to water supply, water rights, and water law compliance. Over the course of his long career pertaining to his municipal and special district practice, Mr. Rose has g...

Cliff Atkinson has practiced for more than 44 years in the areas of complex commercial and tort litigation in a broad spectrum of difficult cases. He, with his good friend and now retired colleague John Thal, founded the Firm in 1992 on the principle that a small, directed, hard hitting litigation firm can deliver the highest quality of personalized services to its clients. In his many years of practice, Cliff has litigated and tried cases to verdict, judgment, or other successful resolution ...

Michael K. Foy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental, Natural Resources Law and Water Law. Michael K., who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John B. Weldon, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law and Water Law. John B., who practices law in Phoenix, Arizona, has been recognized since 1993. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christopher W. Mixson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Water Law. Christopher W., who practices law in Las Vegas, Nevada, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

J. Craig Smith, Esq., is a founding member of the Salt Lake City firm of Smith Hartvigsen, PLLC, where he practices in the areas of water law, land use, and redevelopment law. He has argued more than 30 appeals before the Utah Supreme Court. Mr. Smith is listed in Utah Legal Elite, Superlawyers and Best Lawyers publications. Major accomplishments include, lead counsel for the development of the Amangiri Resort in southern Utah and obtaining the passage of federal legislation to obtain water r...

Richard G. Montevideo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Water Law. Richard G., who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Area of Emphasis Kevin Garber is a shareholder in the Environmental and Energy and Natural Resources groups of Babst Calland, practicing out of the firm’s Pittsburgh and State College offices. Mr. Garber concentrates much of his practice in the areas of natural resources law and water law. He represents mining and oil and gas companies in the conventional and unconventional industries on a broad range of environmental issues including permitting, water supply and treatment, and resource...

Edward K. DeHope is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Water Law. Edward K., who practices law in Madison, New Jersey, has been recognized since 2001. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Edward K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lawrence E. Sellers Jr. practices administrative and governmental law, with a concentration in environmental and land use matters. He regularly provides advice on permitting and enforcement matters involving a variety of federal, state, regional and local administrative agencies. He has substantial experience in administrative law, including rulemaking, adjudicatory hearings and appellate review. For more than 25 years, he has represented clients before the Florida Legislature, primarily on e...

Nathan Vassar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Water Law. Nathan, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nathan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

With a commitment to understanding fully each client's mission, Nick Kile focuses on adding value to help them accomplish it. He seeks innovative solutions that are grounded in the law and fact, and align with the big picture business goals. Nick is co-chair of the firm’s Energy, Telecommunications and Utilities team, which was ranked “Tier 1” on U.S. News-Best Lawyers Best Law Firms 2019 list in Indianapolis for energy law. Nick concentrates his practice in two distinct sub...

Specialized California water law expertise. Trusted strategic advisor and project manager for complex water supply and infrastructure projects. Innovative problem solver for high-stakes water disputes. With more than 20 years of specialized expertise in water law, Stephanie Hastings has played a leading role in California’s most complex and precedent-setting water matters. She brings sophisticated legal skill and experience to the acquisition, maintenance and protection of water resourc...