Steve grew up in the arid West, where he learned at an early age that Western history, politics, and power are all closely linked by our most precious resource — water. He gained an appreciation for Western water and land issues by spending many hours accompanying his father's geology field trips around the mountains and plains of the Rocky Mountain region and by spending his summers working on cattle ranches. This intimate experience with the West's resources and the people who depend on them shapes Steve's perspective as an attorney and provides him with a personal understanding of the unique issues faced by landowners, businesses, and local governments who operate in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
As a lawyer, Steve uses this experience and knowledge to help his clients understand and navigate the complex legal environment that governs natural resources, environmental, real estate, and land use matters. He advises clients in a wide variety of contexts including transactions, administrative proceedings, and legislation. Steve is also a seasoned litigator who effectively represents his clients before state agencies as well as state and federal courts, having served as counsel on several cases involving water rights issues of first impression before Oregon, Colorado, and federal courts.
Regardless of the context, Steve is committed to helping his clients find real, lasting solutions to their legal problems. His approach to a matter starts with his emphasis on a strong client relationship. He communicates frequently and directly with his clients to ensure that they understand the benefits and drawbacks of any proposed action. He then draws on his personal experience to help clients identify legal issues, develop options to address those issues, and pursue the most effective and efficient legal strategy possible. This approach enables Steve's clients to play a significant role in deciding on the most beneficial course of action to address their challenges.
Education and Professional Qualifications
Universität Regensburg, Germany, 1989-1990
B.A. University of Colorado, 1991
J.D. with Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law, Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College, 1994
Memberships and Honors
Oregon Water Resources Congress Board of Directors, 2004-present
Vice-Chair, 25th Annual Water Law Conference Planning Committee
Winner, Portland Business Journal's 40 Under 40, 2005
Member, Lewis & Clark Law School Alumni Board of Directors (2004-2005)
Board Member, Oregon Water Trust, 2004-present
Oregon Water Resources Department's Notice and Concurrence Rulemaking Work Group (2004)
Oregon Water Resources Department Ground Water Advisory Committee Surface Water Interference Subcommittee (2003).
Oregon Water Resources Department Senate Bill 710 Work Group (2002).
Oregon State Bar, Environmental and Natural Resources Section., Executive Committee; 1999-present, Chair Elect 2002-present; Treasurer 2001-2002; Secretary 2000-2001
Oregon State Bar, Agricultural Law Section, Executive Committee (2003-present).
Multnomah Bar Association, CLE Committee, 2001-present; Young Lawyers Division. Board of Directors, 2002-2003; CLE Committee 1999-2001 Chair 2000-2001; Award of Merit (2002).
American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy & Resources, 2003 Water Law Conference Planning Committee
Member, Owen M. Panner American Inn of Court
Selected Publications and Presentations
Oregon Supreme Court Renders Decision in Landmark Water Rights Case
Brief Overview of Oregon Water Law Relating to Artesian Springs
Growth at a Crossroads — the Intersection of Water Law and Land Use Law in Oregon
"Water Rights Ownership Bill Exposes Philosophical and Legal Differences," OSB Environmental and Natural Resources Legislative Alert (Spring 2003).
"2003 Legislative Land Use Update," Daily Journal of Commerce (February 2003).
"Approaching Water Rights as Collateral," Winter 2003 Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Section Newsletter.
"Municipal Water Use Permit Extension Rules Approved by Oregon Water Resources Commission," Oregon Insider, Issue No. 307 (November 1, 2002).
"Community Water Supply Permit Extension Developments," Oregon Insider, Issue No. 294 (April 15, 2002).
"Salmon Rules to Be Rewritten — But Impact Unknown," Daily Journal of Commerce (March 2002).
"Bush Administration and Federal Legislators Sharpen Focus on Klamath Basin," Oregon State Bar Environmental and Natural Resources Section Newsletter (Spring 2002).
"Recent Developments Related to Oregon Wetlands," Daily Journal of Commerce (June 2002).
"Water Rights Issues in Agricultural Lending," American Bankers Association Journal of Agricultural Lending, Vol. 15, No. 2 (Winter 2002).
What's Coming Down the Pipeline? Natural Gas Facilities and Agricultural Land
Selected Speaking Appearances
"Strategies for Success in Conducting Due Diligence & Negotiating Water Supply Contracts, Water Right Purchases & sales, and real Property Transactions," The Seminar Group's 16th Annual Oregon Water Law Conference (November 2007).
"Due Diligence Issues in Water Transactions," Lorman Water Rights Sales and Transfers in Oregon Seminar (2006 and 2007).
"Natural Resources Litigation Update," Oregon Water Resources Congress Annual Conference (2005-2007)
"Water Rights Issues for Public Water Suppliers," Oregon Association of Water Utilities Annual Conference (2003-2006).
"Water Rights Issues in Lending," Columbia River Bancorp Annual Lending Conference (May 2005).
"Current Issues in Water Marketing And Transfers," Lorman Water Rights Sales and Transfers In Oregon Seminar (March 2005).
"Water Law 101," Oregon Association of Nurseries Agricultural Water Rights Seminar (October 2004).
"Sand Castle or Mud Pie? How Oregon's Land Use and Water Laws Affect Growth in Oregon," The Seminar Group's 12th Annual Oregon Water Law Conference (November 2003).
"Federal Legislative and Regulatory Update on Clean Water Act Jurisdiction," OWRC and OSB Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section Joint Water Law Seminar (October 2003).
"Land Use Law for Public Water Suppliers," Oregon Association of Water Utilities Annual Conference (2003).
"Water Law Meets Land Use Law — Avoiding the Mud," Oregon State Bar Real Estate and Land Use Section Annual Meeting (August 2003).
"Natural Resources and Environmental Issues," A Year in the Life of a Development Deal: Land Use Impacts on Real Estate Transactions in Oregon seminar (May 2003).
"Municipal Aspects of Oregon Water Law," Oregon Association of Water Utilities — Eastern Oregon Water Rights Seminar (March 2003).
"Land Use 101 for Water Providers," Oregon Association of Water Utilities — 25th Annual Management & Technical Conference (March 2003).
"Legal Aspects of Water Conservation," Klamath Soil and Water Conservation District & Cascade Environmental Sciences — Water Conservation in the Klamath Basin workshop (February 2003).
"Water Rights, Wetlands and Water Quality Issues," A Year in the Life of a Development Deal: Land Use Impacts on Real Estate Transactions in Oregon seminar (May 2002).
Oregon State University adjunct lecturer on water law, the Endangered Species Act, and natural resources law (2000-present).
"Metropolitan Water Supply Issues," Jordan Schrader Ramis Real Estate Breakfast Series (January 2002).
"H20 101 — A Primer of Oregon Water Law," League of Oregon Cities 2001 Annual Conference (November 2001).
"A Comparative Analysis of Oregon and Washington Drainage Law," American Society of Civil Engineers 2001 Drainage Law Conference (November 2001).
"Avoiding Injury in Water Rights Transfers," 9th Annual Conference on Oregon Water Law (October 2001).
"Oregon Water Law," Yamhill County Realtors Association water law seminar (July 2001).
"A Survey of Oregon Water Law," Oregon Association of Realtors 2001 Annual Convention (Spring 2001).
"The Intersection of Federal Regulatory Law and State Water Law," Oregon State Bar Agricultural Law Section and Northwestern School of Law — Oregon Water Law Seminar (Fall 2000).
Community Activities
JOIN
 Board of Directors (2002-present)
President (2003-present)
Tri-County School-to-Work Program.
Multnomah Bar Association Whitaker Middle School Mentoring Program.
Habitat for Humanity.
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