Develop training programs on water, environment and judicial independence. Promote the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.

Support development of judicial education on water and edit the monthly Network Note.

Led and developed program for network of judges adjudicating complex water cases. Developed and edited bench book on Adjudicating Groundwater. Organized conferences and workshops, wrote materials, and developed information resources for judicial network. Developed and implemented strategic plan to expand organization's education program, network and resources for water judges. Developed relationships with foundations and other funders, to support the Dividing the Waters program. Built… Show more Led and developed program for network of judges adjudicating complex water cases. Developed and edited bench book on Adjudicating Groundwater. Organized conferences and workshops, wrote materials, and developed information resources for judicial network. Developed and implemented strategic plan to expand organization's education program, network and resources for water judges. Developed relationships with foundations and other funders, to support the Dividing the Waters program. Built knowledge network among judges and water experts, including creation of monthly Network Note. Show less

Summarize significant California court decisions on water law for the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation's Water Newsletter, which is published three times a year. Succeeded CA Justice Ron Robie, who had served as the CA reporter for 40 years.

Served as General Counsel to CA State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, addressing a range of issues related to to racial justice, sexual harassment, water resources, groundwater contamination, parks, the Los Angeles River, judiciary, State Budget, Native Americans, and Assembly operations (esp. in light of COVID limitations). Led development of Legislature's policy to create a "culture of respect, civility and diversity," and built strategic partnerships with Mexico, the Netherlands, and… Show more Served as General Counsel to CA State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, addressing a range of issues related to to racial justice, sexual harassment, water resources, groundwater contamination, parks, the Los Angeles River, judiciary, State Budget, Native Americans, and Assembly operations (esp. in light of COVID limitations). Led development of Legislature's policy to create a "culture of respect, civility and diversity," and built strategic partnerships with Mexico, the Netherlands, and Germany. Show less

As a legislative director, assisted Assemblymembers Solorio and Rendon in developing legislative hearings and legislation on CA water and environmental policy. Worked on wide range of water issues, including the 2014 Water Bond (Prop 1), rainwater capture, groundwater contamination & management, the Los Angeles River, mutual water company reform, integrated regional water management, and stormwater management. Other issues included CA Public Utilities Commission reform and urban parks.

Served as lead Assembly staffer on water issues, as the water law consultant for the Water, Parks & Wildlife Committee. Led development of landmark 2007 flood protection package and 2009 Delta-Water Legislation, including the Delta Reform Act. Testified before House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on water (esp. flooding) and climate change.

Served on Section Leadership since appointment as chair of the 2007 Water Law Conference. Served in many roles, as a utility lead for committees, conferences and projects. 2019-20, Content Convergence; 2018-19 Chair, SEER Outreach; Chair, 2016 Fall Conference (Denver); Member, Section Council (2013-16); Chair, Smart Growth & Green Buildings Committee (2011-13), Special Committee on Project Funding (2008-11); Vice-Chair, Water Resources Committee

Led Constitutional rights education program by lawyers, judges and teachers, for Sacramento's urban high schools. Also chaired curriculum committee, to address Japanese Internment Cases, Free Speech on Campus, Equal Protection for Immigrant Children; Federal Civil Rights in State Criminal Cases.

Led government campaign against Nevada cattle grazers trespassing on federal land, including trial on takings claim in Hage v. United States. Counseled Interior agencies on California and Nevada water law. Participated in interstate water negotiations. Tried critical national water rights takings and Endangered Species Act case –Tulare litigation (Department of Justice request). After serving as lead lawyer for all Delta litigation and programs, appointed Federal Agency Coordinator on behalf… Show more Led government campaign against Nevada cattle grazers trespassing on federal land, including trial on takings claim in Hage v. United States. Counseled Interior agencies on California and Nevada water law. Participated in interstate water negotiations. Tried critical national water rights takings and Endangered Species Act case –Tulare litigation (Department of Justice request). After serving as lead lawyer for all Delta litigation and programs, appointed Federal Agency Coordinator on behalf of Secretary Bruce Babbitt, to oversee work of six federal agencies in CALFED Bay-Delta Program. Negotiated and wrote complex government agreements, including CALFED Record of Decision. Litigated controversial legal issues, including enforcement of Central Valley Project Improvement Act and Bay-Delta Water Rights Hearings. Published law review and conference articles and spoke on Interior’s behalf to statewide and national environmental/water law and policy conferences. Show less

As part of executive team, resolved wide range of legal issues, from personnel to contractor litigation. Reorganized internal controls for federal grant contracting program.

Advised board chairman on state tax appeals, policy and controversies.

Leader of City of Los Angeles delegation on Board of Directors for largest water agency in the world. Created first board committee on legislation and negotiated MWD support for Central Valley Project Improvement Act. Drafted MWD's first board policy statement on environmental protection.

Writer, advisor, organizer and spokesman for statewide education campaign

Litigated complex actions related to financial institutions.

Researched legal issues and advised federal judge on range of civil and criminal matters, for the late Judge Edward J. Schwartz.

Writer, spokesman, analyst for Senator Barry Keene on state environmental legislation

Wrote press releases, articles and background materials. Organized press events, including election night.