Jackson Walker is proud to announce that its Water Law practice has been ranked in the Chambers USA Guide, which was released today. In addition, partners Leonard Dougal and Lynn Sherman were individually recognized.
Each year, Chambers and Partners releases its flagship guides that identify leading practitioners and law firms in the United States and around the world through the culmination of thousands of interviews with attorneys and clients conducted by over 200 research analysts. This is the first year Chambers has published rankings for Water Law in Texas.
In the guide, Jackson Walker was recognized in Band 1—the highest ranking that can be achieved—with the following commentary provided by clients and industry sources:
“Jackson Walker is extremely strong in the water utility and retail water areas.”
“Jackson Walker is a top water law team in Texas.”
“The Jackson Walker team is very knowledgeable about the law, common practices and the political environment in Texas.”
In addition to the overall department ranking, Chambers ranked Leonard Dougal and Lynn Sherman in Band 1, identifying them as the leading Texas attorneys for Water Law.
Leonard is a sought-after environmental lawyer with deep experience in water rights, permitting, and compliance matters. He represents a wide array of clients, including high-tech companies, power generators, real estate developers, and utility companies. Leonard is known for his practical, solutions-oriented approach to permitting groundwater, negotiating water supply contracts, and facilitating water reuse.
In the 2025 guide, one source told Chambers that Leonard “is really good on water issues.” Other interviewees stated, “Leonard Dougal is an excellent lawyer. He has a great client demeanor,” and that his “quality of work and experience make him stand out.”
Lynn is a leading authority on Texas water law, with over three decades of experience advising on large-scale water projects across the state. His practice spans every major river basin and aquifer in Texas, and he has played a central role in landmark transactions, including some of the state’s largest pipeline projects and water rights acquisitions. Lynn brings a unique blend of legal, executive, and policy experience, having served as an executive with the state’s largest river authority and led privately funded water development initiatives.
In the 2025 guide, Chambers shared the following commentary from interviewees: “Lynn is knowledgeable about his subject matter.” “Lynn Sherman is very knowledgeable. He has a good breadth of experience.”
Jackson Walker is proud of the Water Law team’s Chambers USA ranking, which stands alongside other recent first-time recognitions in Banking & Finance, Energy: State Regulatory & Litigation (Oil & Gas), Intellectual Property, and Tax: State & Local. For more information, view Jackson Walker’s announcement of the Chambers 2025 rankings and the firm’s Chambers profile.
About Our Water Practice
Our team advises clients on every aspect of water supply and use, from securing surface and groundwater rights to negotiating long-term purchase contracts and planning for future water needs through the Texas Water Development Board. We help clients evaluate and obtain rights to reuse water for industrial, irrigation, or landscaping purposes, and routinely represent them in proceedings before groundwater conservation districts. Whether clients need permitting assistance, legislative advocacy, or transactional guidance, we bring clarity to the fast-changing and jurisdictionally layered field of water law.
Our leading Water Practice is recognized for its comprehensive experience across water quality regulation, permitting, utility matters, and water rights in Texas. Our attorneys assist clients in navigating complex federal, state, and local laws, including the Clean Water Act and Section 316(b), and represent them before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), and in state courts. We help clients design forward-looking compliance and pollution prevention strategies, obtain and defend discharge permits, and respond effectively to enforcement actions.
To explore our related experience, visit Jackson Walker’s Water Law practice page.
