Joseph P. Byrne of Best Best & Krieger will help District meet its strategic objectives and remain a regional leader in the water industry
Joseph P. Byrne, Of Counsel Attorney at Best Best & Krieger, has been appointed by the Rowland Water District (RWD) as legal counsel for the water utility, it was announced last week. Byrne is a member of Best Best & Krieger’s Environmental Law & Natural Resources, Special Districts, Municipal and Business Services practice groups. He advises both public and private sector clients on water law, public law and government and legislative strategies, which will prove invaluable to RWD as they continue to navigate the growing complexities of water and environmental law in the state of California. Byrne replaces former counsel Janet Morningstar who officially retired last month.
Byrne achieved his undergraduate degree from UC Berkley in 1992, and received his law degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1997. He has considerable experience advising public and private clients on various issues related to water, including helping clients secure water supply, negotiating many types of water-related agreements, analyzing water rights, and advising on regulatory and policy issues. He works closely with a number of cities and districts on a daily basis.
“Joe is a great asset to Rowland Water District, with his impressive resume and years of experience dealing with water issues at the State and Federal level,” says Ken Deck, General Manager at Rowland Water District. “Our Board wanted to ensure that ratepayers in our District received the best possible service, and to do so, we rely on people like Joe to keep us at the very top of our game. He will bring great insight as we focus on our priorities, including securing additional water supplies and tackling one of the worst droughts in state history.”
Byrne is quite familiar with California’s legislative process and water policy issues. He worked on water policy issues in Sacramento for a number of years, and also taught a water policy class at the University of California. In May 2010, Joseph was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to serve on the California Water Commission, and was re-appointed to another term by Governor Jerry Brown in July 2014. He currently serves as Chair of that Commission.
“I am grateful to be working with Rowland Water District at a critical time in its history,” says Byrne. “The Southern California water industry has become a fast-paced environment with ever-increasing challenges. It will be a pleasure to work together with Rowland Water District to meet those challenges on behalf of the ratepayers.”
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About Best Best & Krieger
Best Best & Krieger LLP is a national law firm that focuses on environmental, business, education, municipal and telecommunications law for public agency and private clients. With 200 attorneys, the law firm has nine offices nationwide, including Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and Washington D.C. For more information, visit www.bbklaw.com.