Karlene Martorana, an Arizona native, practices primarily water and environmental law. She represents clients in the Gila River and Little Colorado River Adjudications and in negotiating water rights settlements with Arizona Indian tribes. Karlene also helps large municipal and industrial users – both inside and outside active management areas – manage and secure their water rights, as well as develop alternative water supplies. In addition, Karlene assists developers in obtaining withdrawal permits, reporting annual groundwater withdrawals and obtaining certificates of assured water supply.
Karlene's environmental practice includes counseling clients regarding the risks disclosed in Phase I Environmental Assessments and advising clients regarding the National Environmental Policy Act, particularly with respect to the scope of environmental impact statements. She also has experience helping clients assess permitting requirements for new projects under state aquifer protection and discharge regulations, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.
Karlene previously externed with the Maryland Department of Environment Office of Attorney General, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s RCRA Enforcement Division, and the Honorable Stephen McNamee, United States District Court for the District of Arizona.
Education
- University of Maryland School of Law (J.D., Environmental Certificate, 2006)
- University of Arizona Honors College (B.S., Environmental Science, summa cum laude, 2002)
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Robert H. Smith College of Agriculture Scholarship Award
- Presidential Award for Academic Excellence
- College of Agriculture Student of the Year
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of Arizona
- Supreme Court of California
- United States District Court, District of Arizona
Professional Memberships & Activities
- Maricopa County Bar Natural Resources Board
- Member (2009-present)
- Chair-Elect (2011)
- Treasurer (2010)
- Colorado River Water Users Commission, Member
- State Bar of Arizona, Environmental and Natural Resources Section, Member (2011)
Representative Presentations & Publications
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Surface Water Quality Standards: An Update, Author, State Bar of Arizona Environmental Section Newsletter (August 2008)
- Interviews Under the All Appropriate Inquiry Rules Leave Much to Environmental Professionals’ Discretion, Author, State Bar of Arizona Environmental Section Newsletter (December 2007)
- The Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA’s Joint Guidance Following the Rapanos Decision, Author, State Bar of Arizona Environmental Section Newsletter (September 2007)
- RCRA Financial Assurance Requirement: A Preliminary Review of EPA’s Efforts to Address a New Priority, State Bar of Arizona Environmental Section Newsletter (February 2007)
Community Involvement
- Shepherd of the Desert, Human Resources Committee (2008-present), Board of Directors (2010-present)
- Park Central Toastmasters, Member (2010-present)
Other Professional Experience
- Robert S. Lynch & Associates, Associate (2009-2011)
- Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, Associate(2006-2008), Law Clerk (2005)
