• The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Water Law, 2026
• Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ranked for Water Law – Texas (Band 1), 2025
• Volunteer of the Year Award, Austin Recovery, 2020
• Mac McLester Spirit of Recovery Award, Communities for Recovery, 2018
• Walt & Elspeth Rostow Award for Leadership, The Austin Project, 2001
• Austinite of the Year, Austin Under 40, 2000 (inaugural recipient)
• Distinguished Alumni Award, Leadership Austin, 1999
• Community Service “Champion” Award, United Way/Capital Area, 1998
• Leadership Austin, 1997
• Legal Professionalism Award, Texas Young Lawyers Association, 1990

• Co-author, “Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Default Ownership of Produced Water in Oil & Gas Leases – Key Questions Remain,” Jackson Walker Insights (July 2025)
• “The Emerging Clean Energy Ecosystem,” Earthx2025; Dallas, Texas, April 21, 2025
• “Produced Water: Who Owns It and Maximization of Its Beneficial Use,” 26th Annual Changing Face of Water Law Course, Texas Bar CLE; San Antonio, Texas, February 20, 2025
• “Water Supplies System Issues,” Houston Bar Association; Houston, Texas, January 15, 2025
• “Water & Wastewater Issues, Including Roadblocks Facing Developers,” 18th Annual Advanced Real Estate Strategies Course, Texas Bar CLE; Fredericksburg, Texas, December 13, 2024
• “Ownership of Produced Water,” Texas Water Conservations Association (TWCA) Summer Conference, June 2024
• “Water Transactions & Conveyances,” 10th Annual Texas Water Law Conference, CLE International; San Antonio, Texas, September 19, 2019
• “Putting Together a Water Deal: Acquiring and Marketing Water Rights,” Changing Face of Water Rights 2015, State Bar of Texas Seminar; Austin, Texas, February 27, 2015
• “Investing in Water Assets,” Changing Face of Water Rights 2015, State Bar of Texas Seminar; Austin, Texas, February 26, 2015
• Co-Author, “Marketing Your Water – Tips for Selling or Leasing Groundwater & Surface Water Rights,” Changing Face of Water Rights 2015, State Bar of Texas Seminar; Austin, Texas, February 26 & 27, 2015
• Groundwater Interest Panel, Texas Groundwater Summit, Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts, Austin, Texas, August 30, 2012
• “Special Purpose Districts: Certificates of Convenience and Necessity Disputes; Use of Water Supply Districts and Special Purpose Districts for Special Projects,” 20th Annual Texas Water Law Conference; CLE International Texas Water Law Institute; Austin, Texas, September 16, 2010
• “Endangered Species Act: Challenges, Tools and Opportunities for Compliance,” CLE International; Austin, Texas, June 10, 2010
• “Essentials of Texas Water Resources,” Austin Bar Association, Environmental Law Section Meeting, March 4, 2010
• “State of Water Markets: Water Transactions; Regulatory Environment; What Is It Worth? Future Deals,” 19th Annual Texas Water Law conference; CLE International Texas Water Law Institute; Austin, Texas, September 15, 2009
• “Texas Water Laws and Regulations,” Half Moon Seminars; Austin, Texas, April 30, 2009
• “Eminent Domain Water Transactions and Infrastructure Facilities,” 10th Annual Changing Face of Water Rights, Advanced Course; State Bar of Texas Seminar; Austin Texas, April 2, 2009
• “Texas Water Markets: Opportunities and Obstacles,” 7th Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature; Texas Public Policy Foundation; Austin, Texas, January 23, 2009
• “Water, water everywhere . . . But is there enough to drink?,” Austin Chapter of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants, Annual Tax Conference; Austin, Texas, December 9, 2008
• “Water, water everywhere . . . But is there enough to drink?,” Texas Water: The Resource, the Law and the Politics, UT SAGE (Seminars for Adult Growth and Enrichment); Austin, Texas, October 27, 2008
• Invited Testimony, Joint Interim Committee on State Water Funding; Austin, Texas, October 21, 2008
• Roundtable, Edible Austin/Austin Food Policy Council; Austin, Texas, September 23, 2008
• “Texas Groundwater Law: Whose Water is it Anyway?,” Policy Primer, Texas Public Policy Foundation; Austin, Texas; August 21, 2008
• “Marketing Your Water: Tips for Selling or Leasing of Groundwater and Surface Water Rights,” Texas Water Laws and Regulations, Half Moon Seminars; San Antonio, Texas, July 31, 2008
• “Water, water everywhere … Are we OK?,” Rotary Club; Austin, Texas, July 29, 2008
• “What to do when a groundwater client calls,” The Changing Face of Water Rights in Texas 2008, State Bar of Texas Seminar; Bastrop, Texas, May 8, 2008
• “The Water Planet: A River Runs Through Us,” Texas State University Career Day; San Marcos, Texas, November 13, 2007
• “Preventing Tragedy: a ‘drop in the bucket’,” Dallas Business Journal, August 17, 2007
• “Central Texas Water Issues,” Protect Lake Travis Association; Lakeway, Texas, June 23, 2007
• “Water Crisis in North Texas: Implementing a Plan,” Fireside Chat, The Real Estate Council (TREC); Dallas, Texas, February 13, 2007
• “The Business of Water Series Part 2: Protecting Our Resources and Looking Ahead,” Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce; San Antonio, Texas, February 9, 2007
• “How to Value a Water Right,” Texas Rural Water Association/Texas Water Conservation Association (TRWA/TWCA) Water Law Seminar; Austin, Texas, January 18, 2007
• “Private Water Development in Central Texas,” Lakeway Men’s Club; Lakeway, Texas, January 10, 2007
• “The Future of Groundwater: What Lies Ahead? (Who Owns It?),” Water in Arid and Semiarid Lands: Innovative Approaches and Informed Decision-Making, International Center for Arid & Semiarid Land Studies (ICASALS), Texas Tech University; Lubbock, Texas, November 17, 2006
• “Water Supply, Demand & Financing: New Models and New Opportunities,” Keynote Address, Association for Governmental Leasing & Finance (AGL&F) Conference; Rancho Mirage, California, November 10, 2006
• “State of Water Markets: Water Transactions; Regulatory Environment; What Is It Worth? Future Deals, CLE International Texas Water Law Institute; Austin, Texas, September 28, 2006
• “Emerging Water Rights Issues,” Hot Topics in Real Estate and Eminent Domain, International Right of Way Association – Eminent Domain Conference; San Marcos, Texas, September 8, 2006
• “Review of Statutory Barriers to Implementation of State Water Plan,” Invited Testimony, Senate Committee on Natural Resources Interim Hearing; Houston, Texas, August 9, 2006
• “Groundwater Usage and Regional Planning,” Real Estate Council of Austin, Leadership Development Class; Austin, Texas, June 5, 2006
• “Water: a resource and industry in transition,” Water Resources in Texas: What is Our Future?, The Industry Council of the Environment Conference; Austin, Texas, May 18, 2006
• “Water: a resource and industry in transition,” The Interlex Group; Dallas, Texas, April 25, 2006
• “Water – Texas’ Greatest Challenge to Sustainability,” Leadership Austin Class Day; San Marcos, Texas, March 22, 2006
• “Groundwater: Yours, Mine, or Ours,” Regulation and Resources: The Conflict Between Our Economy and Our Environment, Texas Tech University; Lubbock, Texas; March 20, 2006
• “Is Water the Next Oil?,” Leadership Austin Roundtable; Austin, Texas, March 7, 2006
• “Groundwater: Yours, Mine, or Ours,” Precious, Worthless, or Immeasurable: The Value and Ethic of Water, First Water Symposium, Center for Water Law & Policy, Texas Tech University; Lubbock, Texas, November 3, 2005
• “Groundwater Update,” Is the Glass Half Full or Half Empty, CLE International Texas Water Law Conference; Austin, Texas, September 19, 2005
• “Private Water Development: Why & How It Should Be Done,” Texas Groundwater 2004: Towards Sustainability, International Institute for Sustainable Water Resources, Texas State University; Austin, Texas, November 18, 2004
• “Relation of Regional Water Planning Process to Water Marketing,” 2004 Texas Water Law Institute, University of Texas School of Law; Austin, Texas, November 5, 2004
• “Application of Historic Use Standards by Groundwater Districts,” Invited Testimony, Senate Select Committee on Water Policy; Austin, Texas, November 3, 2004
• “Water Rights, News and Updates,” 2004 Eminent Domain Seminar, International Right of Way Association, San Marcos, Texas, September 10, 2004
• “Managing Unique Risks in Water Resource Financing,” Art of the Deal: Structuring Innovative Water Development Projects, 3rd Annual National Water Resources Symposium; Houston, Texas, June 22, 2004
• “Private Water Development: Why & How it Should be Done,” South Texas Farm & Ranch Show; Victoria, Texas, October 21, 2003 7
• “Purchasing Groundwater for Export: The Kinney County Proposal,” Buying, Selling and Exporting Groundwater: Implications for Groundwater Conservation Districts, Groundwater Conservation District Seminar Series, Texas A&M; College Station, Texas, May 28, 2003
• “Marketing Groundwater,” 13th Annual Outlook for Texas Land Markets, Texas Chapter American Society Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers and Texas Chapter Realtors Land Institute, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas, April 10, 2003
• “Groundwater Marketing and Regulation,” Texas Rural Water Association & Texas Water Conservation Association Water Law Seminar, Austin, Texas, March 20, 2003
• “Exploring Approaches to Groundwater Marketing,” Texas Groundwater: Yours? Mine? Ours?, 3rd Texas Living Waters conference, Austin, Texas, March 7, 2003
• “Future of Water Marketing in Texas,” East Texas Water Forum, Lufkin, Texas; December 16, 2002
• “Innovative Water Marketing,” Texas Water Law Institute; Austin, Texas, October 3, 2002
• “Role of Privatization in Water Financing,” Invited Testimony, Texas Water Advisory Council, Austin, Texas, August 22, 2002
• “Role of Privatization in Water Financing,” Invited Testimony, Texas Joint Committee on Water Resources; Amarillo, Texas, April 23, 2002
• “A Colorado River Supply for San Antonio,” Texas Water Law Institute; Austin, Texas, September 27, 2001
• Co-Host, “Clear Gold Summit,” Texas Water Foundation and Colorado River Foundation; Austin, Texas, September 30, 1999
• “Water Marketing and Transfer Issues,” CLE International’s Texas Water Law Conference; Austin, Texas, 1999
• “Issues Facing Texas counties,” Texas Leadership Institute; Austin, Texas, 1999
• “Ethics and Professionalism in Context,” Governing Texas Counties: A Seminar for Newly Elected County Judges and Commissioners, Texas Association of Counties and the University of Texas Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs; Austin Texas, 1999
• “Interbasin Transfers, Indirect Reuse, and Water Rights Cancellations,” CLE International’s Texas Water Law Conference; Austin, Texas, 1998
• “Issues Related to Abandoned Railroad Rights-of-Way,” Texas Farm Bureau Legislative Seminar; Austin, Texas, 1998
• “Intergovernmental Relations,” Texas Leadership Institute; Austin, Texas, 1998
• “Regional Water Planning and Changes in Water Law,” Local Government Seminar, Austin, Texas; 1998
• “Water Planning,” Panhandle County Judges and Commissioners Conference; Amarillo, Texas, 1998
• “Groundwater Districts,” Texas Association of Counties; Austin, Texas, 1998
• “Legislative Initiatives,” Local Government Seminar; Austin, Texas, 1997
• Presentation on a variety of water and water rights issues, Texas Water Law Institute; Austin, Texas, 1997
• “Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs,” South Texas County Judges and Commissioners Conference, 1997
• “Marketing Water Rights, Conserved Water, and Reclaimed Water in Texas,” Local Government Seminar; Austin, Texas, 1996
• “Enforcement of Water Rights,” CLE International’s Texas Water Law Conference; Austin, Texas, 1996
• “Marketing Water Rights, Conserved Water, and Reclaimed Water in Texas,” CLE International’s Texas Water Law Conference; Austin, Texas, 1995
• “Permit Applications for Municipal Solid Waste Facilities and Activities,” Local Government Seminar; Austin, Texas, 1995
• “Creation of Water Control and Improvement Districts,” Local Government Seminar; Austin, Texas, 1993

• University of Texas, Steve Hicks School of Social Work, Advisory Council
• Austin Area Research Organization
• The FIRST Fund, Board of Advisors
• St. David’s Foundation, Chair’s Emeritus Council

October 22, 2025
Mentions

Lynn Sherman Discusses Texas Groundwater Law Updates on ‘Ag Law in the Field’ Podcast

Jackson Walker partner Lynn Sherman joined Jim Bradbury (James D. Bradbury PLLC) on the Ag Law in the Field podcast to discuss the latest developments in Texas groundwater law.

October 1, 2025
Speaking Engagements

Lynn Sherman to Address Water Rights at TLMA Statewide Meeting

Jackson Walker partner Lynn Sherman will be a featured speaker at the Texas Land & Mineral Owners Association (TLMA) Statewide Members Meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the McNay Art Museum in San Antonio.

August 21, 2025
Attorney News

‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 “Lawyers of the Year” and 106 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.

July 17, 2025
Insights

Texas Supreme Court Clarifies Default Ownership of Produced Water in Oil & Gas Leases – Key Questions Remain

By Lynn Sherman, Leonard H. Dougal, Peter E. Hosey, & Alicia R. French

On June 27, 2025, the Texas Supreme Court issued a pivotal decision in Cactus Water Services, LLC v. COG Operating, LLC, holding that under the language of the granting clause found in the standard oil and gas lease, produced water is the property of the mineral lessee, and not the surface owner, unless the lease expressly provides otherwise.

June 5, 2025
Spotlight

Chambers Recognizes Leonard Dougal, Lynn Sherman, and Jackson Walker’s Water Law Practice in 2025 USA Guide

Jackson Walker is proud to announce that its Water Law practice and partners Leonard Dougal and Lynn Sherman have been ranked in the Chambers USA Guide.

June 5, 2025
Spotlight

Chambers and Partners Releases 2025 USA Guide Featuring 79 Jackson Walker Attorneys and 28 Ranked Departments

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 79 attorneys and 28 departments for inclusion in the 2025 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys were ranked across 29 departments, with 4 attorneys listed among multiple areas, 9 ranked nationwide in their respective areas, and 12 recognized for the first time.

January 8, 2025
Speaking Engagements

Lynn Sherman to Speak at 26th Annual Changing Face of Water Law Course

Jackson Walker partner Lynn Sherman will be a featured speaker at the 26th Annual Changing Face of Water Law Course. The event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio on February 20-21, 2025.

November 26, 2024
Speaking Engagements

Lynn Sherman to Speak at TexasBarCLE’s Advanced Real Estate Strategies Course

Jackson Walker partner Lynn Sherman will be a panelist at the 18th Annual Advanced Real Estate Strategies Course, hosted by the TexasBarCLE.

March 7, 2024
Attorney News

Lynn Sherman Expands Jackson Walker’s Environmental, Regulatory, & Legislative Practice in Austin

Jackson Walker is pleased to welcome Lynn Sherman as a Partner in the Environmental, Regulatory, & Legislative practice group of the Austin office.

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