Bill Staudenmaier's practice is concentrated in water law and environmental law. His water law practice involves representation of clients in general stream adjudications, participation in negotiations for settlement of Indian water right claims, negotiation of contracts and leases for transfer of water rights, obtaining permits and approvals from state and federal regulatory agencies, and drafting, negotiating and lobbying concerning state and federal water resources legislation. He represents large water users in both pending general stream adjudications in Arizona (Gila River and Little Colorado River), including appellate representation on issues relating to the rights of groundwater users and tribal water rights.
Bill also represents public and private clients in negotiations to settle Indian water right claims in the Gila and Little Colorado Adjudications, including the Gila River Indian Community Water Rights Settlement, and ongoing negotiations to settle the claims of the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe in the Little Colorado Adjudication. In addition, he represents private and public entities in transactions to secure water supplies, including negotiation of long-term contracts for effluent used at major industrial facilities, and contracts to acquire water rights for municipal and private development purposes.
Bill's environmental practice includes compliance counseling regarding state and federal hazardous and solid waste laws, legal advice concerning environmental release reporting and remediation requirements, due diligence counseling on environmental issues associated with real estate transactions, and legal advice concerning Aquifer Protection Permit and Clean Water Act issues.
Education
- University of Michigan Law School (J.D., magna cum laude, 1987)
- Order of the Coif
- University of Wisconsin (B.S., Forestry and Soil Science, with distinction, 1983)
- Dean's List
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of Arizona
- United States Supreme Court
- United States District Court, District of Arizona
- United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Professional Memberships & Activities
- Western States Water Council
- Representative for State of Arizona (2002-present)
- Legal Committee, Chair (2004-present)
- American Bar Association
- Section of Environment, Energy and Resources,
- Water Resources Committee Member
- Section of Environment, Energy and Resources,
- State Bar of Arizona
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section,
- Executive Council Member (2002-2005)
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section,
- Colorado River Water Users Association, Member
- Maricopa County Bar Association
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section, Member
- Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce
- Water Policy Committee, Chair (2005-2008)
Representative Presentations & Publications
- Water Requirements for Utility-Scale Concentrating Solar Power Facilities: Are We Robbing Peter to Pay Paul?, Author, ABA Natural Resources & Environment, Vol. 25, No. 4 (Spring 2011)
- Water Requirements for Power Plants, Presenter, ABA Section of Public Utilities, Communications and Transportation Annual Meeting (2009)
- Securing Water Supplies for Electric Power Generating Facilities, Presenter, Energy in the Southwest Conference, Law Seminars International (2008)
- Groundwater and Surface Water Interaction - The Continuing Search for the Elusive Subflow Zone, Presenter, Lorman Education Services (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009)
- Water Right Transfers in Arizona - An Overview of Legal Issues and Trends, Presenter, Lorman Education Services (2008)
- Federal Indian Water Right Settlement Policy - A State Law Perspective, Symposium on the Settlement of Indian Water Right Claims (2007)
- Between a Rock and a Dry Place: The Rural Water Supply Challenge for Arizona, Author, Arizona Law Review, Vol. 49, No. 2, pp. 321-338 (Summer 2007); Presenter, Arizona Water Law and Policy Symposium (2006)
- Water in the West - Identifying, Evaluating and Securing Water Rights for Businesses in the Western United States, Moderator and Speaker, American Bar Association Teleconference (Spring 2006)
- Water and the law: A guide to what matters, Author, Business Law Today, Vol. 15, No. 4 (March/April 2006)
- Arizona Groundwater Law, Author, The Water Report, Issue 33 (November 15, 2006)
- The Right to Pump Percolating Groundwater in Arizona, Presenter, CLE International (2006)
- Identifying Parties and Issues, and How Negotiations Bind Larger Groups, Symposium on the Settlement of Indian Water Right Claims (2005)
Professional Recognition & Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America®, Water Law (2007-2012); Energy Law (2012)
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business®, Environment (including water rights) (2007-2011)
- Southwest Super Lawyers®, Energy & Natural Resources (2007-2012)
- Super Lawyers®, Energy & Resources - Business Edition (2011)
- Super Lawyers®, Energy & Resources - Corporate Counsel Edition (2009-2010)
Other Professional Experience
- Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, Shareholder (1998-2009)
- Arizona Public Service Company, Senior Attorney (1992-1998)
- Arizona Department of Water Resources, Deputy Counsel (1990-1992)
- Streich, Lang, Weeks & Cardon, Associate (1988-1989)
- Federal District Court, District of Colorado, Law Clerk for Hon. Richard P. Matsch (1987-1988)
