“The Western agricultural industry is confronted with a unique body of legal and policy issues, with water issues often at the very top of the list.” — Harrison Pittman.
Instream water rights and the future of irrigated ag. The Klamath River Basin and the Endangered Species Act. The future of water quality in the West. Legal ethics and state water boards. Each of these issues and more will be on the agenda for the National Agricultural Law Center’s 2nd Annual Western Agricultural & Environmental Law Conference, set for June 13-14 in Reno, Nevada.
“The Western agricultural industry is confronted with a unique body of legal and policy issues, with water issues often at the very top of the list,” said Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center. “We’re thrilled that some of the most respected water law experts in the West will be part of our terrific lineup of conference sessions.”
The conference, which will be held at the University of Nevada, Reno, will also be livestreamed. A complete conference agenda, as well as conference registration, is available online.
The Western Conference features 12 hours of continuing legal education credits, including two hours of ethics. It has been approved for CLE in Nevada and Idaho, and will be submitted for approval in Oregon, California, Arizona and Utah. It has also been approved for continuing education from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. The NALC will coordinate with attendees to self-report in other states.
The water law sessions and speakers for the Western include:
- Going With the Flow: Instream Water Rights & the Future of Irrigated Ag
- Merissa Moeller, Associate, Stoel Rives LLP
- The Klamath River Basin & the Endangered Species Act: Implications for Ag in Western States
- Paul Simmons, Special Counsel, Somach Simmons & Dunn
- WOTUS & Water Quality in the West in a Post-Sackett World
- Tess Dunham, Partner, Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP
- Water Law & Ethics: Sinking and Swimming With Litigation, Water Districts, and Agencies
- Lauren D. Layne, Shareholder, Baker Manock & Jensen
- Joe M. Marchini, Shareholder, Baker Manock & Jensen
Pittman said that Western attendees from a wide variety of backgrounds will benefit from the information shared at the conference.
“The Western Conference is designed for attorneys and non-attorneys alike,” he said. “It’s a great learning and networking opportunity for ag professionals, attorneys, students and more.”
For information about the National Agricultural Law Center, visit nationalaglawcenter.org or follow @Nataglaw on X. The National Agricultural Law Center is also on Facebook and LinkedIn.
