Christopher Payne practices in the areas of water and environmental law. His law practice includes providing legal advice on groundwater and surface water rights and supplies, representing clients in Arizona State stream adjudications and federal water rights litigation, and advising clients about compliance with county, state and federal environmental laws and regulations.
Chris assists clients in obtaining, transferring and securing surface and groundwater rights, negotiation and implementation of Tribal water rights settlements and water rights decrees, litigating claims of federal reserved water rights, and environmental compliance and permitting. He has worked on matters involving the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureaus of Indian Affairs, Reclamation, and Land Management, as well as other state and federal agencies. Chris also has experience in construction and real estate litigation, including litigating claims before the Arizona Registrar of Contractors and Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Chris was a water resources engineer for one of the largest architectural and civil engineering firms in the nation. His work experience as an engineer included preparing environmental assessments and environmental impact statements, conducting water supply and water development studies, and floodplain delineation, solid waste planning, and grading and drainage design.
Education
- University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law (J.D., 2007)
- Arizona State University (B.S., Civil Engineering, 2002)
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of Arizona
- United States District Court, District of Arizona
Professional Memberships & Activities
- State Bar of Arizona
- Environmental and Natural Resources Section
- Arizona Mining Association
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- Arizona Society of Civil Engineers
Community Involvement
- Boy Scouts of America
- Volunteer Lawyers Program
Other Professional Experience
- Holme Roberts & Owen, LLP, Associate (2010-2011)
- Sherman & Howard, LLC, Associate (2007-2010)
- U.S. Senator Jon Kyl, U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Legal Fellow (2007)
