Education | | J.D., 2000, with honors, University of Michigan Law School | | B.A., 1994, with honors, University of Oregon |
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Distinctions | | Top 40 Under 40, Pacific Coast Business Times |
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| Russ possesses extensive experience concerning water use and management in California and the western United States, including water right permitting and adjudication, water transfers, conjunctive water use, water quality, and reclamation. In addition to his water practice, Russ also possesses significant experience respecting regulated utilities, energy, land use, real estate, local government, and environmental matters, including CEQA and ESA compliance. He represents private companies, municipalities, special districts, and individual landowners with transactional negotiations, litigation, and administrative agency proceedings.
Russ is the author of several chapters concerning California groundwater law within the Groundwater Water Resources Agency’s Groundwater Management Handbook, and is a member of the Council of Legal Advisors to the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California at Santa Barbara. He also regularly speaks on water law-related matters before industry groups and publishes related articles within trade publications.
Russ is also a board member with the Santa Barbara-based Community Environmental Council, and is an active member of the Santa Barbara community, regularly hosting fundraising events for several local non-profit organizations.
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Representative Matters | | Obtained reversal in full of trial court decision denying a motion to amend the judgment governing an adjudicated groundwater basin. The motion sought to provide for the conjunctive use and management of the basin, including the procedures for the use of the basin's available storage space. Case raised a question of first impression with respect to the application of the California Environmental Quality Act and management of an adjudicated groundwater basin. | | Hearing before the State Water Resources Control Board concerning a draft Cease and Desist Order limiting diversions from the Carmel River. | | Litigation of rights to rely on and control water resources in the Santa Maria groundwater basin. The case involved more than 1,000 public water suppliers and private land owners who rely on local water resources, along with two federally-owned reservoirs. After eight years of litigation, the case was resolved through a settlement stipulation among the vast majority of the parties. Litigation continues among a small minority of the remaining parties. | | The Firm serves as lead counsel for a national land developer/home builder with respect to the water supply components of a proposed 5,000 home residential and commercial development in southern California. The project raises numerous water supply and water quality issues, including groundwater storage, replenishment and development, water transfers, conjunctive use, water re-use, flood protection and stormwater management. | Land use due diligence for acquisition of a 780-acre ranch in the Santa Barbara Foothills. Ongoing advice regarding water and other natural resources issues. | | view all >> |
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Publications & Presentations | "California Water Law, Ongoing Litigation, Recent Decisions, New Concerns," Panelist, California Water Law CLE, San Diego, CA, May 3, 2012
| "Resolving Legal and Institutional Impediments to Conjunctive Use and Enhanced Recharge In California," Speaker, Aquifer Recharge, GRA/AGWT Annual Conference, Ontario, CA, Jan 31, 2012
| "Water Law," Presenter, UCLA Extension, December 2, 2011
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