Wes Strickland Quoted in ‘Reuters’ on Water Law

April 30, 2014 | Mentions



Jackson Walker partner Wes Strickland was quoted in an April 25, 2014, article on Reuters on the topic of water law.

The article, “In California drought, big money, many actors, little oversight,” discusses the large number of agencies that supply California with water and the California Department of Water Resource’s failure to regulate and keep records on these agencies. In light of the state’s worst drought in history, many state officials and water experts are arguing that stricter regulations should be placed on water agencies.

According to Mr. Strickland, most water agencies are elected by their respective cities or towns, which ensures a level of accountability despite the lack of regulations placed on them. However, at the same time, “most operate under the radar,” said Mr. Strickland. “These agencies are at the forefront of the drought,” he added.

Mr. Strickland focuses in helping clients develop, acquire and monetize water resources and infrastructure. He has been involved in many of the largest and most significant water development projects in the United States for more than a decade, across multiple states and regions, with a strong focus on California and Texas. His projects include the development and adjudication of surface water and groundwater rights, water storage, interbasin transfers, water conservation and marketing, recycling and desalination. Mr. Strickland also focuses on the development of infrastructure projects through public-private partnerships. He has represented both public and private entities for the procurement, contracting and implementation of projects such as ports, bridges, highways, vertical real estate and water and wastewater treatment plants. Mr. Strickland received his B.A. from Yale University and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law.