L. William Staudenmaier, Partner at our Phoenix law office
L. William Staudenmaier vcard
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L. William Staudenmaier

Partner
Biography

Bill Staudenmaier has been practicing water law and natural resources law for more than 30 years. He focuses on acquiring and protecting water rights for industrial, municipal, and agricultural water users. Bill’s water law practice involves representation of clients in general stream adjudications, negotiation of contracts for transfers of water rights, obtaining permits and approvals from state and federal regulatory agencies, and drafting, negotiating, and lobbying concerning state and federal water resources legislation.

Bill represents large water users in both pending general stream adjudications in Arizona (Gila River and Little Colorado River), including appellate representation on issues relating to the rights of groundwater users and tribal water rights. Bill also represents clients holding contractual rights to Colorado River water, assisting those clients in securing, protecting, and defending their rights in negotiations, administrative matters, and litigation.  Bill also advises clients with interests arising under a number of interstate water compacts.

Bill represents private and public sector clients in negotiations to settle a variety of Indian water right claims, including the Gila River Indian Community Water Rights Settlement, the White Mountain Apache Tribe Water Rights Quantification Agreement, The Hualapai Tribe Water Rights Settlement, and ongoing negotiations to settle the claims of other Tribes in Arizona. In addition, he represents private and public entities in transactions to secure water supplies, including negotiation of long-term water supply contracts for major industrial facilities, water supply contracts for golf courses, and contracts to acquire water rights for municipal and private development purposes.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona
  • United States Supreme Court


Education

  • University of Michigan Law School (J.D., magna cum laude)
    • Order of the Coif
  • University of Wisconsin (B.S., Forestry and Soil Science, with distinction)
    • Dean’s List
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Energy Law, Environmental Law, Real Estate Law, Water Law (2007-2025)
    • Phoenix Lawyer of the Year, Environmental Law (2022)
    • Phoenix Lawyer of the Year, Water Law (2013)
  • Arizona’s Top Lawyers, Energy and Natural Resources, AzBusiness Magazine (2014)
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business®, Environment (including water rights) (2007-2018, 2020-2024), Energy & Resources (2019)
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Energy & Natural Resources (2007-2020)

Representative Experience

  • Representation of multiple groundwater users in trial court and appellate court proceedings regarding legal standards affecting the right to pump groundwater.
  • Representation of multiple clients in negotiations to resolve the claims of Indian tribes and the federal government based on federal reserved water rights doctrine, and ongoing representation of clients regarding implementation of multiple settlements.
  • Negotiations to secure water supply agreements for numerous large industrial facilities in multiple sectors.
  • Representation of clients in permit acquisition from state agencies for underground water storage, assured water supply, well drilling, and groundwater withdrawal authorizations.
  • Appellate representation of clients in federal court concerning Colorado River and other interstate water issues.
  • Representation of clients in resolving enforcement proceedings before state regulatory agencies.
  • Due diligence review of water rights and water supply agreements in transactions involving industrial, mining, ranch, and mixed use development properties in multiple states.
  • Conducted due diligence regarding water rights and water supply agreements for resort and golf course properties across multiple western states.
  • Secured water rights and water delivery agreement for private golf club located in Maricopa County, Arizona.
  • Negotiated amended water supply agreement for resort and golf course in Phoenix, Arizona to secure more competitive water pricing.
  • Conducted due diligence review of existing water and wastewater agreements for transaction involving multiple hotel properties across Arizona.

Previous Professional Experience

  • Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, Associate and Shareholder (1998-2009)
  • Arizona Public Service Company, Senior Attorney (1992-1998)
  • Arizona Department of Water Resources, Deputy Counsel (1990-1992)
  • Streich, Lang, Weeks & Cardon, Associate (1988-1989)
  • Federal District Court, District of Colorado, Law Clerk for Hon. Richard P. Matsch (1987-1988)

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • Western States Water Council
    • Representative for State of Arizona (2002-2020)
    • Legal Committee, Chair (2004-2010)
  • State Bar of Arizona
    • Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section
      • Executive Council (2002-2005)
  • Colorado River Water Users Association
  • Water Reuse Association of Arizona
  • Maricopa County Bar Association
    • Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section
  • Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
    • Water Policy Committee, Chair (2005-2008)
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Board of Visitors

Representative Presentations and Publications