PROGRAM CO-CHAIRS

Mark A. McGinnis practices primarily in the areas of complex water rights, environmental litigation and public utilities law. He has represented parties in the Gila and Little Colorado River General Stream Adjudications since 1991, and is an Adjunct Professor at the Arizona State University College of Law, where he teaches water law.

John B. Weldon Jr. represents clients in water rights and natural resource related matters. He has represented the Salt River Project (SRP) in the Gila River and Little Colorado General Stream Adjudications since 1977. He has represented clients on matters relating to the usage of Colorado River water, and has represented utilities and water users’ organizations in cases before the Supreme Court of the United States.

FACULTY MEMBERS

Hale Barter joined his firm in 1994, and has spent much of his time designing and implementing groundwater flow and transport models to support a variety of projects. One major focus area for these skills has been artificial recharge studies. He has also used his modeling and analytical skills to develop solutions to environmental problems such as optimizing cleanup strategies.

Tom DeGomez focuses on forest ecology and management. He conducts applied research that will enhance the understanding of forest health protection, and forest ecology as it relates to forest insects, diseases, and invasive plants.

Robert Glennon teaches constitutional law, American legal history, and water law, and is a recipient of two National Science Foundation grants. He authored Water Follies: Groundwater Pumping and the Fate of America’s Fresh Waters (Island Press, 2002). His new book, Unquenchable:America’s Water Crisis and What To Do About It, was published in April 2009.

Stanley A. Leake has worked at the US Geological Survey (USGS) for more than 30  years. His work includes development of methods of simulating groundwater flow and land subsidence, studies of effects of groundwater withdrawals on surface water resources, and assessment of regional groundwater conditions. He has authored numerous USGS reports, journal articles, and books.

M. Byron Lewis has worked on the Salt River Project and others for the past 37 years. He has represented parties in a variety of water-related litigation and other matters at the administrative agency level, and in state and federal courts. His practice is now primarily focused in natural resources and environmental litigation, insurance litigation and appeals.

Thomas W. McCann has represented the Central Arizona Project since 1994. He focuses on Colorado River issues, CAP repayment, Indian water rights, interstate water banking and other matters.

Sharon Megdal is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and the Department of Soil, Water, and Environmental Science, and serves as Director of the University of Arizona Water Sustainability Program. Her work focuses on state and regional water resources management and policy, and places particular emphasis on how to achieve desired policy objectives in terms of institutional structures and possible changes to them.

Steven Olson joined his association in 2005 after serving as the Government Relations Director of the City of Scottsdale. He and his association represent members in areas of water resource management and development of urban water policy.

William Rinne joined his department in 2006. He is responsible for his authority’s   programs and activities on the Colorado, Virgin and Muddy Rivers. He works on implementing Lower Colorado River Basin shortage guidelines and coordinated reservoir operations for Lakes Powell and Mead.

Robert G. Schaffer concentrates in appellate and complex commercial litigation matters, including antitrust, class actions, real estate, legal malpractice and other commercial disputes. He was recently successful before the Arizona Supreme Court in the Davis v. Agua Sierra Resources case.

Geoffrey M.T. Sturr represents clients in litigation and arbitration proceedings. His recent cases have involved claims against lawyers and law firms and disputes involving   businesses, real estate, and insurance coverage. He also conducts internal corporate investigations. He has represented clients in administrative and bar disciplinary proceedings and advises lawyers and law firms on professional responsibility issues.

Michele Van Quathem practices in the water, energy, resources, and environmental law areas, with emphasis on the firm’s sophisticated water law and energy practices. She regularly assists businesses, property owners, and districts evaluate, buy, sell, permit, protect, treat, discharge, and store water and wastewater. She previously worked as Deputy Counsel for the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

Greg Wallace has 34 years of experience in groundwater policy and resource  management. He previously served as Chief Hydrologist and Assistant Director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources for 17 years. He has brought his expertise to groundwater recharge and development projects, as well as to public agency administration.