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FIRM RESUME

Booth & Associates, P.C. is a full-service law, lobby, and governmental consulting firm able to provide a spectrum of strategic services to make the best case for successful litigation or legislative action.

 

We offer our clients a broad range of legal services spanning from representation before state and federal courts, to administrative agencies, to the negotiation and drafting of contracts and agreements.

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Our team represents a diverse client base throughout the state of Texas, including public and quasi-public entities, electricity generators, international corporations, land and water right owners, agricultural and aquacultural interests, trade associations, and individuals.

 

We focus on issues associated with:

 

  • groundwater and surface water rights

  • use of water for electric generation

  • water supply and other utility contracts

  • water quality

  • political subdivision creation

  • water and wastewater rates

  • eminent domain

  • waste management and controls

  • recycling and materials management

  • environmental auditing

  • dredge and discharge permitting

  • wetlands

  • endangered species matters

  • title opinions concerning ownership of water rights

  • utility and construction contracts

  • municipal regulation  

  • drafting and monitoring legislation

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  • Members of the firm have assisted clients in a number of state water right matters involving the permitting or amending of permits for many Texas reservoirs, including Ivie Reservoir, Spence Reservoir, Lake J.B. Thomas, Paluxy Reservoir, Little Cypress Reservoir, Lake Benbrook, Richland-Chambers Reservoir, Cedar Creek Reservoir, Bridgeport Reservoir, Eagle Mountain Reservoir, Lake Fork, Lake Tawakoni, Toledo Bend Reservoir, Lake Livingston and Lake Wallisville among others. In recent years, the firm has worked with clients to develop innovative ways to obtain reliable water supplies, including obtaining permits to allow water users to divert surface water at times of higher flow to fill off-channel reservoirs for use during drier times and the reuse of wastewater to augment existing water supplies. The permitting of reservoirs and water diversions also required members of the firm to master collateral issues, such as the impacts to fish and wildlife resources, mitigation techniques, instream flow releases, water quality impacts, and endangered species.

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  • Members of the firm have extensive experience in assisting clients in negotiation and development of short, medium, and long-term water supply contracts as suppliers and as purchasers. Such contracts have included rate provisions supporting over $300 million worth of bonds for a regional water supply system, as well as provisions supporting reuse to enhance reservoir yields, protecting water quality and increasing water conservation. Additionally, members of the firm have developed and negotiated water right subordination agreements and wastewater treatment contracts.

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  • Members of the firm have assisted in the development of groundwater production permitting regulations for Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District Number Three and have participated in the development of legislation regulating production from the Edwards Aquifer, as well as permitting groundwater production under that legislation. Members of the firm negotiated and asserted in passage Edwards Aquifer Legislation eliminating the charging of permit retirement fees that would have cost Edwards groundwater and Guadalupe River surface water rights holders hundreds of millions of dollars.

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  • Members of the firm have represented groundwater rights owners in the acquisition and lease of groundwater and in obtaining required permits from relevant groundwater districts and negotiating with groundwater districts in the amount of allowable production from groundwater permits. Additionally, members of the firm have successfully defended and protected the groundwater rights of clients through rules adopted by groundwater districts and the appeals process.

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  • Members of the firm, in conjunction with the Fort Worth District Corps of Engineers and other attorneys, successfully defended litigation brought against the Corps’ granting to Tarrant Regional Water District a Section 404 permit for the Richland-Chambers Reservoir and pipeline. At the time, this was the largest reservoir project undertaken in the State during the past 15 years. Pipeline and reservoir costs were over $300 million.

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  • Members of the firm represented an international chemical corporation in contesting water rates charged to the corporation by a river authority. That rate appeal saved the corporation an estimated $80 million over 50 years.

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  • Members of the firm provided and continue to provide legal representation to individuals, industry, electricity generators, and political subdivisions relating to permitting and compliance with complex state and federal water and wastewater laws and regulations.

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  • Members of the firm assisted in negotiation of a key settlement between the operators of a nuclear electric-generation facility and a major regional water supplier that secured water supply for existing and future capacity at that facility. The firm also acts to protect and enhance water supply for electric-generation at coal and natural-gas fueled facilities.

 

  • Members of the firm were instrumental in the passage of legislation that reduced the potential fee assessed against aquaculture facilities from more than $60,000 per year to $5,000.

 

  • Members of the firm have been actively involved in shaping regional solutions to complex water availability concerns.

 

  • Members of the firm have been actively involved in the legislative and administrative processes to ensure as much as possible that proposed legislation and agency rules allow continued development of the State’s water resources with minimal state involvement but, at the same time, providing for the protection of existing water rights.

 

  • Members of the firm were instrumental in negotiating with members of the environmentalist community in developing a solution to environmental flow needs in the State’s bay and estuary systems.

 

  • Members of the firm have assisted the Guadalupe Basin Coalition in negotiating with environmentalists and the Edwards Aquifer pumpers for needed changes to Edwards Aquifer Authority rules and the Edwards Aquifer Authority Act.

 

  • Firm attorneys were instrumental in obtaining numerous water use and wastewater disposal permits and amendments for agricultural, municipal, and industrial concerns required for the continued growth and development of Texas. This included obtaining and defending state and federal permits for two regional wastewater treatment plants for the Trinity River Authority, as well as obtaining and defending state discharge permits for some of the largest coastal shrimp farming facilities in Texas.

 

  • Members of the firm were instrumental in obtaining an authorization to operate a major water reuse project involving constructed wetlands.

 

  • The Firm was honored with a Watermark Award for its efforts in the area of wastewater reuse. The Watermark recognizes excellence in public and client communications and was awarded by the Water Environment Association of Texas.

 

  • In the past, members of our firm have crafted and passed bipartisan legislation to further the development of economic data and rate metrics for recycled commodities. We have also provided industry-related understanding and economic development consultation for recycling industries operating in Texas and those interested in relocating in Texas.

 

Our goal at the Firm is to excel in serving our clients in a cost-efficient and timely manner, to be accessible to those clients, and to work together with our clients to meet their goals and responsibilities.

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See the following biographies for more information about our lead team members:

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MICHAEL J BOOTH

MICHAEL J. BOOTH »

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Admitted to bar 1982, Texas; 1983, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas; 1987, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas; 1988, U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas; 1986, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; 1992, U.S. Supreme Court.

 

Education:

University of Texas (B.B.A., 1978); St. Mary’s University (J.D., 1982).  Phi Delta Phi.  Notes and Comments Editor, St. Mary’s Law Journal, 1981-82.  Briefing Attorney, Court of Appeals for the Third Supreme Judicial District, 1982-83.

 

Publications:

Author: “Flood Litigation” TWCA Confluence (April 2018), “Status of Surface Water Laws: An Update on Interbasin Transfers” TSCRA Policy Conference September 2016. “Surface Water for Agriculture: Options to Maintain and Create Surface Water for Agricultural Use?” Agricultural Water Summit, Waco, Texas February 2012. “TCEQ Water Curtailment Rules: How Meaningful is the Priority System,” Texas Water Law Institute, November 2012.

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Coauthor: “Chapter 36 Groundwater Conservation Districts and Subsidence Districts,” Essentials of Texas Water Resources (2009-2018): Chapter 16, 1st-5th editions.

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Presentations:

Speaker: "Preparing for Floods, Hurricanes, and Other Severe Weather Events,” Texas Water Law Conference, September 2019. “TCEQ Water Curtailment Rules: How Meaningful is the Priority System,” 2012 Texas Water Law Institute, November 2012; “Surface Water for Agriculture: Options to Maintain and Create Surface Water for Agricultural Use?” Agricultural Water Summit, Waco, Texas, February 2012; “Texas Groundwater Law and Related Issues,” State Bar of Texas Agricultural Law Course 2008, May 2008; “Water Marketing Surface and Groundwater,” Water Rights, Sales and Transfers in Texas Seminar, Houston, Texas, March 2007; “United States Fish & Wildlife Service Declares War on Texas’ Water Supply,” TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar, Austin, Texas, January 2006; “Conservation: How Much, How Soon, and What are the Consequences?”  TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar, Austin, Texas, January 2005;  “Regulatory Dance: Rules of Capture & Chapter 36, District Perspective,” Texas Water Development Board Conference One Hundred Years of Rule: The Past Present and Future of the Rule of Capture, Austin, Texas, June 2004; “The Role of Planning Groups in Meeting Environmental Flow Needs and a Proposal for Environmental Protections,” Environmental Defense, Austin, Texas, April 2004; “Regulation by Groundwater Districts in Texas: What is Reasonable and What is Needed for the Future?,” Austin, Texas, January 2004; “Balancing the Water Supply & Environmental Flows: Meeting the Challenge in Texas,” AWWA Seminar, Anaheim, California, June 2003;  “Texas Instream Flow Issues,” TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar, Austin, Texas, January 2002; “Interbasin Transfers in Texas,” TRWA/TWCA Water Law Seminar, Austin, Texas, January 2001; “Interbasin Transfers in Texas,” Texas Farm Bureau 2000 Annual Conference, Arlington, Texas, November 2000; “Status Report on Water Rights for Reuse,” Alternative Water Strategies Conference of AWWA and WEAT, Austin, Texas, September 1999; “1999 Legislative Issues,” Texas Water Utilities Association Southwest Texas Regional School, Victoria, Texas, July 1999; “Water Marketing in Texas,” Joint Annual Conference of AWWA and WEAT, Fort Worth, Texas, April 1999; “A Quick Guide to Water Reuse for the Regional Planner,” 25th Annual Water for Texas Conference by Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas Water Conservation Association, and Texas Water Resources Institute, Austin, Texas, December 1998; “Texas Water Law,” National Business Institute Conference on Fundamentals of Water Law in Texas, June 1998;  “Indirect Reuse in Texas,” American Water Works Association 1998 Texas Water Reuse Conference, San Antonio, Texas, May 1998; “Trends in Texas Water Law,” The Great Plains Foundation Symposium 1998:  The Ogallala Aquifer, Determining the Value of Water, Lubbock, Texas, March 1998;  “Clean Water Act,” Executive Enterprises, Inc. Environmental Regulation Course, Houston (September 1997), Houston (May 1997), Dallas (February 1997), September 1995, January 1994; “Texas Water Reuse and Legislative Update,” Texas Public Works Association Annual Conference & Exhibition, Corpus Christi, Texas, June 1997; “Overview of Texas Water Law,” State Bar of Texas Advanced Oil, Gas, and Mineral Law Course, September 1996;  “Water Conservation Fact and Fiction,” Texas Water Conservation Association Mid-Year Technical Conference, 1993;  “Federal Government Pulls Plug on State Water Laws in the Name of Hydroelectric Development,” TWCA Mid-Year Technical Conference, 1991; “Legal Aspects of Environmental Issues at the Corps of Engineers and the Texas Water Commission,” Water Rights Seminar, Austin, Texas, December 1997; “Legal Rights and Duties Available during an RCRA Facility Assessment,” Corrective Action Strategy Seminar, Houston, Texas, June 1987;  “Use and Abuse of Expert Testimony,” Administrative and Regulatory Law Section, Austin Bar Association, June 1986; “Groundwater Regulation in Central Texas: Overview and Current Issues and Developments, Environmental Issues for Central Texas Lawyers.”

 

Professional Affiliations:

Water Rights Application Notice Advisory Group; Texas Bar Foundation; State Bar of Texas (Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section; Public Utility Law Section); Austin Bar Association (Administrative Law Section); Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (Ad Hoc Water Reuse Committee); Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (Water Rights Advisory Committee); Texas Water Commission’s Clean Water Council (Water Supply and Use Sub-Committee); Austin Chamber of Commerce (Health, Safety, and Environment Committee); Lower Colorado River Authority Travis County Water Council; Chamber of Commerce, City Regulatory, and Planning Committee (1988-89); Texas Water Conservation Association’s Water Laws Committee (Chairman 1990-98); Texas Water Conservation Association (President, 2017-2018); National Water Resources Association (Litigation Committee, Member 2004-06).

CAROLYN AHRENS

CAROLYN AHRENS »

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Admitted to bar 1985, Texas.  Carolyn Ahrens is of counsel to the firm.

 

Education:

Southwest Texas State University (B.S. in Education with Highest Honors, 1979; Masters of Education, 1981); University of Texas (J.D. with Honors, 1985).  Recipient: Dean’s Awards for Academic Achievement in Water Law Seminar, Land Use Planning, and Federal and Texas Public Mineral Land Law.  Member: Delta Theta Phi (Tribune, 1984-85); Environmental and Natural Resources Law Society.

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Publications/Articles:

Coauthor: “Desalination for Texas:  A Water Rich Future,” Essentials of Texas Water Resources, 6th Edition, Chapter 25 (State Bar of Texas, 2020); Editorial Board: Western Water Law & Policy Reporter (2008-2009); Author: “The Texas Legislature’s 81st Regular Session: An Overview on Water Issues,” Western Water Law & Policy Reporter (August/September 2009); “A Different Kind of Water War:  Texas Addresses Invasive Aquatic Plant Species,” Western Water Law & Policy Reporter (July 2009); “Texas Supreme Court Denies Review in Environmental Flow Appropriation Case,” Western Water Law & Policy Reporter (June 2009); “Still Smarting from 2008 Storms, Texas Explores Legislation to Address the Power to Supply Water,” Western Water Law & Policy Reporter (May 2009); “Climate Change and Water in Texas,” Western Water Law & Policy Reporter (April 2009); “Texas Comptroller Analyzes the State’s ‘Liquid Assets,’” Western Water Law & Policy Reporter (March 2009); “Texas Water Development Board Maps out the Future of Desalination on the ‘Third Coast,’” Western Water Law & Policy Reporter (February 2009); “Texas Water Conservation Advisory Council Recommends Actions to Make Water Conservation Savings a Reality,” Western Water Law & Policy Reporter (January 2009); “Texas Supreme Court Judges “Historic Use” of Groundwater by both Quantity and Purpose,” Western Water Law & Policy Reporter (December 2008); “Texas Ends Legislative Session Holding Mixed Bag for Water Reuse,” WateReuse Association (June 2001); “In the Interim: An Opportunity for Reuse in Texas,” WateReuse Association, (March 2002); “The Kitten that Roared,” TWCA Confluence (February 2001); “Water Reuse: Is There a Devil or a Property Right in the Details?,” Water Environment & Technology (January 2001); Contributing Author: “Water and Wastewater Service Options for Economically Distressed Areas,” under grant from the Texas Water Development Board (December 29, 1999); Coauthor: “Report on Terminability of Water Supply Service in Texas and Model Agreement for Fixed-term Wholesale Raw Water Supply,” under grant from the Texas Water Development Board (October 31, 1996); Chairman of the Editorial Board 1991-1994: BARRISTER (Publication of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division); Coeditor and Contributing Author: “Step Up to the Bar: Surviving Law School,” Full Disclosure: Do You Really Want to Be a Lawyer? (1989; 2nd ed. 1992); Author: “Fairness and the Administrative Process,” 8 Austin Lawyers Journal (July and August 1987).

 

Presentations:

Speaker: “Reuse and the Pursuit of Water Supply Reliability,” Changing Face of Water Rights Conference, State Bar of Texas, February 21-22, 2019; “Brackish Groundwater Rights:  Legal Perspective,” Texas Desalination Association Annual Conference, September 13, 2018;  “Insider’s Guide to Advanced Water Rights Issues,” Changing Face of Water Rights Conference, Water Rights 101, State Bar of Texas, February 2018 and February 2017; “Introduction to Surface Water Rights in Texas,” Water in Texas:  What Every City Official Needs to Know, Texas Municipal League, March 1-2, 2012;  “A Perspective on Water Marketing Policy in Texas,” Should Water be Treated as a Commodity?, League of Women Voters, Austin Area, November 5, 2011:  "The Special Laws of Permitting Groundwater Use in Texas," 23rd Annual Environmental Superconference 2011, State Bar of Texas, August 4-5, 2011; "Texas Groundwater Regulation," The Auditing Roundtable, South Central Regional Meeting, August 3, 2011;  “Groundwater Reduction Plans:  A Case Study from Within the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District Regarding Compliance and Alternative Water Supplies,” The Changing Face of Water Rights 2011, State Bar of Texas, February 24-25, 2011; “Legislative Update,” Texas Water 05, April 6, 2005; “Water Resources - Croc Hunter Challenge,” State Bar of Texas 14th Annual Environmental Superconference, August 5-6, 2004; “Point of Conflict:  Texas Water Law,” Urban Water Council Regional Meeting, March 21, 2004; “Water Reuse:  Point of Conflict,” Water Sources 2004, January 11-14, 2004; “Legislative Outlook: Focus on Texas Water Reuse,” WateReuse Symposium XVIII, September 9, 2003; “Water Rights Issues for the Next Legislative Session”, Bi-annual Briefing for Legislators and Staff, Texas Section American Water Works Association, August 2, 2002; “Update on Interim Committee Activities,” Spring Seminar, Texas Municipal Utilities Association, April 26th, 2002; Panel Presentation, “Water Plan 2002: Driving New Policy,” Texas Section American Water Works Association, November 2, 2001; “77th Legislative Session Wrap-up: Water Legislation,” San Antonio Section Texas American Water Works Association and Water Environment Association of Texas, September 20, 2001; “Water Reuse in Texas,” Gordon Cologne Annual Breakfast, WateReuse Association Symposium XVI, September 8-11, 2001; “Legislative Update,” Groundwater Districts 101: Preserving Groundwater through Local Management, Texas Groundwater Legal Defense and Education Fund, August 27-28, 2001; “Texas Water Rights,” Fundamentals of Water Law in Texas: Protecting Water Rights, Use and Quality, National Business Institute, July 10, 2001; “Water Reuse in Texas, A Water Rights Perspective,” Texas Water 2001, Texas Section American Water Works Association and Water Environment Association of Texas, April 5, 2001; “Is it Water, Water Everywhere or Not Enough to Drink?,” North Texas Section Water Environment Association of Texas and Texas Section American Water Works Association Water Conservation and Reuse Division, February 22, 2001; “Texas Surface Water Rights,” Water Rights 101, Texas Water Conservation Association, Fall Meeting 2000; “Water Reuse in Texas: An Enigma in Senate Bill 1,” State Bar of Texas 12th Annual Texas Environmental Superconference, August 3-4, 2000; “Water Rights Issues for the Next Legislative Session”, Bi-annual Briefing for Legislators and Staff, Texas Section AWWA, Austin, Texas, 1999; “Status Report on Water Rights for Reuse,” Texas Section American Water Works Association Alternative Water Strategies Conference, September 17, 1999; “Legislative Update-Summary of Senate Bill 1,” Texas Water Law 7th Annual Conference, CLE International, November 13-14, 1997; “Senate Bill 1 and Legislative Update,” 2nd Annual Environmental Seminar, Northeast Texas Section Water Environment Association of Texas, June 26, 1997; “Texas Water Reuse and Legislative Update,” Texas Public Works Association Annual Conference & Exhibition, June 12, 1997; “Texas Legislative Update,” Freese & Nichols, Inc. Fort Worth Conference, June 3, 1997; “Will Water Be There for Reuse,” Texas Water ‘97, Water Environment Association of Texas and Texas Section American Water Works Association Annual Meeting, April 8, 1997;  “Indirect Reuse–A Panel Discussion,” Texas Water Law 6th Annual Conference, CLE International, December 12, 1996; “Respecting Rights of Indirect Reuse in Texas,” Regulatory Conference on Environmental Issues for Local Governments, Texas Environmental Equity Alliance, December 5, 1996; “Retaining and Working with Special Counsel,” Water Environment Association of Texas Total Project Management Seminar, June 2, 1993; “The National Environmental Policy Act,” Executive Enterprises, Inc., November 1994 (Austin), January 1994 (Dallas), November 1993 (Austin) and March 1993 (San Antonio).

 

Program Organizer and/or Moderator:  “The Environmental Forecast for Post-Harvey Texas”, State Bar of Texas, August 1, 2018; “Water Panel:  Developments in Groundwater, Surface Water, and Water Quality”, State Bar of Texas 28th Annual Environmental Superconference, August 4-5, 2016;  “Overcoming Institutional Obstacles to Desalinated Supply,” MSSC 2011 Annual Salinity Summit, February 17-18, 2011; “National Legislative and Water Policy Outlook Session”, WateReuse Annual Symposium, September 8-9, 2008; “Policy Point-Counterpoint”, State Bar of Texas 18th Annual Environmental Superconference, August 7-8, 2008; “Practitioners Update on Federal and State Environmental Regulation,” American Bar Association Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section, American Bar Association Section of Natural Resources, Environmental and Energy Law, State Bar of Texas Environmental Law Section, and Austin Bar Association, Administrative Law Section, January 31, 1997; “Managing Environmental Compliance: A Strategic Approach;” Professional Development Series: Water Environment Association of Texas, June 15, 1994; “Retaining and Working with Special Counsel,” “Total Project Management,” Water Environment Association of Texas, Professional Development Series: “Ultimate Project Management Notebook,” June 2, 1993; Administrative Law Seminar, June 1987, and June 1988, Administrative Law Section, Austin Bar Association.

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Professional Affiliations:

Texas Desalination Association, (Secretary, 2019-2020; Board of Directors, since 2018). Texas Water Conservation Association (Executive Committee since 2019 and Chair of General & Environmental Panel, since 2020; Board of Directors, since 2002; Surface Water Committee, since 2015; Policy Committee, since 2004; Water Reuse Committee, since 2006; Federal Affairs Committee, since 2006; Water Laws Chair 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003; Co-chair, “Texas Water Legislation:  The Legal Issues,” TWCA/TRWA, January 23-24, 2003; Organizer, “Value of Water 101”, Fall Meeting 2002; Co-chair, “Water for Texas Future: The Legal Issues,” TWCA/TRWA, January 24-25, 2002; Organizer, “Water Quality 101”, Fall Meeting, 2001; Co-chair, “Water Allocation in Texas: The Legal Issues,” TWCA/TRWA, January 25-26, 2001; Organizer, “Water Rights 101”, Fall Meeting, 2000; Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Funding & Water Marketing 1997-1998). WateReuse Association (Board of Directors, 2004-2012; Chair, National Legislative Committee 2007-2009; Chair, Nominating Committee, 2005-2012; Member, National and Legislative Committee and National Regulatory Committee 2003-2012; Member, Planning Committee for Symposium XVIII, September 2003).  WateReuse Texas (Trustee, 2012-2015; Board of Directors, 2005-2015). American Water Works Association (Chair, Water Resources Sustainability Division, 2010-2013; Vice-chair, Water Resources Sustainability Division, 2009-2010; Trustee, Water Resources Division 2007-2010; Chair 2004-2007, Water Regulation and Allocation Committee; Member, Sustainability Initiative Coordinating Committee, 2010-2013; Member, Legal Affairs Committee 2000-2002; Liaison, Rates and Charges Subcommittee 2000-2002; Member, Texas Section Conservation & Reuse Committee since 1997; Member, Planning Committee for Water Sources, 2004).  Water Environment Federation (Board of Trustees 2004-2005, 2005-2006; Director 2000-2003; Member, Government Affairs Committee 2000-2004; Vice-Chair, GAC Legislative Subcommittee 2002-2004; Member, Constitution and By-laws Committee 2001-2004; Member, Nominating Committee, 2002-2003; Member, Water Reuse Committee, since 2001). Water Environment Association of Texas (Member, Government Affairs Committee since 2005; Member, Executive Board 1995-2005; Member, Management Review Committee 1995-2000, 2002-2003; Member-at-large 1999-2000; Secretary 1995-1999; Chair, Long-range Planning Committee 1996-1997; Member, Annual Meeting Program Committee 1993-2003; Member, Water Reuse Committee 1999-2003; Member, Long-range Planning Committee 1997-2000; Member, Water Reuse Resolution Task Force 1997); Texas Water ‘96: WEAT and AWWA Texas Joint Annual Meeting Committee 1994-1996). Water Environment Association of Texas Central Texas Chapter (President 1994-1995; President-Elect 1993-1994; Vice-President and Programs Chair 1992-1993). 

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Bar Associations:

International Young Lawyers Association (Presidential Delegate 2000-03; National Vice-President for the United States 1998-2000; Liaison to ABA 1996-1998; Executive Committee 1996-2003; Chair, Membership Chair 1997-1999; Seminar / Meeting Organizer for Bureau Elargi: Strategic Planning for Membership, Elmau Germany, Antitrust Seminar: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, Special Projects: Long-range Plan for Membership Recruiting). American Bar Association (Member, 1986-2004, Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice: Co-chair, Membership Committee 1997-1998; Member, Gavel Awards Committee: 2001-2003; Gavel Awards Screening Committee 1994-2001, 2003-2020; Vice-chair, Natural Resources and Environmental Law Committee 1996-1997; Publications Committee 1995-1996; Young Lawyers Division Liaison 1995-1997). American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (Cabinet 1991-1995; Executive Council Coordinator 1994-1995; Executive Council 1990-1995; Chairman, Barrister Magazine Editorial Board 1991-1994; District Representative for Texas 1991-1993; Vice-Chair, National Conferences Team 1990-1991). State Bar of Texas (Member: Administrative and Public Law Section and Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section). Texas Young Lawyers Association (District Representative to the American Bar Association 1991-1993; Director 1989-1991; Co-Chair, Local Affiliates Committee 1990-1992; Vice-Chair, Legislative Committee 1990-1991). Austin Bar Association (Board of Directors, 2011-12, 1989-1990); Environmental Law Section (President, 2011-12); Administrative Law Section (Board of Directors 1987-1993; President 1989-1990; Programs Committee Chair 1985-1989); (Member, Administrative Law Section and Environmental Law Section). Austin Young Lawyers Association (Board of Directors 1987-1993; Secretary 1988-1989).

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Professional Honors:

2012 Dave Reque President’s Award, presented by President Brian Good on behalf of the WaterReuse Association, September 10, 2012, for “dedication, passion and vision;”  President’s Award, presented by President Jeff Taylor on behalf of the Texas Water Conservation Association, March 4, 2010, for “outstanding dedication, contributions, and service to the Association and the water resources of Texas;” Arthur Sidney Bedell Award, presented by the Water Environment Federation, April 11, 2007, “acknowledging extraordinary personal service to the Water Environment Association of Texas;” President’s Service Award, presented by Water Environment Association of Texas, April 4, 2002; Watermark Award, presented by the Texas Section of the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Association of Texas, April 5, 2001, for “raising the public’s level of understanding of Texas’ water issues”; President’s Award, presented by President C.E. Williams on behalf of the Texas Water Conservation Association, March 8, 2001, for “outstanding dedication, contributions, and service to the Association and the water resources of Texas;” Texas Bar Foundation (Life Fellow); Fellows of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (Member); Joseph Pritchard Inn (Member); Founding Fellow of the Travis County Bar Foundation (Life Fellow).

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