Water and Water Rights
Businesses and government entities facing water law concerns often need experienced water law counsel to provide strategic and substantive guidance on the water rights, water supply, water transfers, water quality, groundwater, federal reclamation, public agency, and compliance-related water issues that arise amidst a constantly evolving legal and political landscape.
Snell & Wilmer’s team of water rights attorneys is experienced in virtually every aspect of water law. Our firm established itself as a leader in water law issues with historic litigation involving an interstate decree that divided the waters of the Colorado River. Our firm continues to represent and defend clients involved in all types of water related matters.
Our attorneys provide advice to clients throughout the Southwest on a wide variety of water law issues, such as:
- Water rights adjudications and litigation
- Indian water rights settlements
- Interstate compacts
- Decree interpretation and enforcement
- Assured and adequate water supply
- CAP allocations, contracts and leasing agreements
- Applications and permits
- Colorado river issues
- Severance and transfers
- Wheeling agreements
- Water banking
- Exchange agreements
- Groundwater regulations and compliance issues (including AMA)
- Underground storage, groundwater savings facilities and recharge projects
- Well sharing agreements
- Water supply acquisitions
- Due diligence review of water rights and supplies
- Water policy and legislation
- Strategic planning
- Title examination
Clients of the water law team represent a broad spectrum of water users and those with interests in the ongoing surface water rights adjudications. We have represented political subdivisions and private industry, along with developers, industrial users, farmers and other water providers and consumers. These clients span many industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, utilities, oil, gas, mining, hospitality, banking, real estate and other water users. The Governor of Arizona has called upon our water law attorneys to serve as Arizona’s representatives to the Western States Water Council.
Comprehensive, Dedicated Water Services: Our water rights attorneys regularly advise clients on water rights adjudications, on the sale, lease and transfer of water rights and in water rights litigation. As the western region of the United States struggles with water issues, we work with developers, industrial users, farmers, water providers and other water users to resolve a wide variety of issues related to water rights and water supplies.
Investment in Our Clients: Our group strives to develop a thorough institutional knowledge of our clients’ business and legal water concerns in order to effectively address water-related challenges and keep projects on track. We offer legal solutions that are tailored to meet our clients’ individual needs.
