Sacramento 916.520.5340
Assistant Information
Sonia Louie
Phone 916.520.5357
Email
Education
- J.D., with distinction, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 2012
- B.A., University of California at San Diego, 2007
Bar Admissions
- California, 2014
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
Brian E. Hamilton
Counsel
Brian Hamilton applies his litigation skills to help water clients achieve results in and out of the courtroom.
Brian has represented clients in all stages of litigation. Brian’s practice now focuses on water law and environmental litigation, but his background includes commercial, real estate, and employment litigation. Brian’s litigation practice brings him before courts throughout California on a range of matters. His trial background includes sitting as second-chair in a complex commercial derivative lawsuit that resulted in a multi-million-dollar verdict for his clients. In addition to his courtroom experience, Brian frequently achieves favorable resolutions for his clients through successful mediation and negotiated settlements.
Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement
- Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section, Board of Directors, 2018-present
- California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section
- Sacramento Metro EDGE
- California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Contributing Author
Honors & Rankings
- Best Lawyers in America©, Ones to Watch, Litigation – Environmental Law, 2024
- Best Lawyers in America©, Ones to Watch, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, 2023-2024
- Super Lawyers, Northern California Rising Star, Energy & Natural Resources, 2018-2023
- Clerkship, Justice Ron D. Parraguirre, Supreme Court of Nevada, 2012- 2014
- Externship, Honorable Kimberly J. Mueller, United States District Court, Eastern District of California, 2011
- Outstanding Student Achievement Award, Day Division, 2012
- Traynor Honor Society
- University of the Pacific Law Review, Editor-in-Chief
- Experience in all phases of civil litigation, including discovery, pre-trial motion practice, and trial preparation.
- Advise and represent clients in a wide variety of commercial litigation matters, including real estate, contract, construction, shareholder, and business disputes.
- Manage all aspects of discovery, from propounding and responding to written discovery, managing extensive document productions, and preparing for, defending, and taking depositions.
- Represent clients in numerous mediations to resolve construction contract disputes, fraud claims, and real property disputes.
Announcements
9 related items-
August 17, 2023Best Lawyers® 2024 Recognizes 46 Downey Brand Lawyers with Four Receiving Prestigious “Lawyer of the Year” Honors
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June 30, 202342 Downey Brand Attorneys Named 2023 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
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August 18, 202240 Downey Brand Attorneys Honored as The Best Lawyers in America® and Ones to Watch 2023
Three selected as 2023 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” -
July 7, 202232 Downey Brand Attorneys Named 2022 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
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January 5, 2022Downey Brand Promotes Two Attorneys to Counsel
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July 7, 202130 Downey Brand Attorneys Named 2021 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
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July 8, 202025 Downey Brand Attorneys Named 2020 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
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June 26, 201922 Downey Brand Attorneys Recognized as 2019 Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
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January 1, 2019Downey Brand’s Sacramento Office Welcomes Brian E. Hamilton
Speaking Engagements / Events
2 related items-
December 1, 2023SGMA and Groundwater Comprehensive Update: Basin Boundaries, Sustainability Agencies and Plans, and Streamlined AdjudicationsCounty Counsels' Association of California Fall 2023 Land Use Study Section Meeting
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May 17 & 19, 2022California Water Management, Policy, and Regulation in This Time of ExtremesArgent Communications 36th Annual California Water Law & Policy Virtual Conference
Publications
11 related items-
January 2024January 2023 Floods Blamed on Permitting Delays by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife – Lawsuits Filed
California Land Use Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 33, Number 4 -
October 2023District Court Dismisses Claim That 2018 Amendments to the Bay-Delta Plan Discriminate Against the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 34, Number 1 -
July 2023California Drought and Flood Streamlining Trailer Bill: Floodwater Diversion Exception and Drought Control Measures
Environmental, Energy & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, Volume 3, Number 10 -
January 2023In a Major Regulatory Step, FERC Approves Removal of Four Dams on the Klamath River
Environmental, Energy & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, Volume 3, Number 4 -
November 2022Ninth Circuit Finds no Waiver of California’s Water Board’s Section 401 Certification Authority–The Latest in the Battle of Authority to Regulate Federal Hydropower Projects
Western Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 27, Number 1 -
June 2022California Department of Water Resources Releases Draft Update Central Valley Flood Protection Plan
California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 32, Number 9 -
March 2022DWR Deems Groundwater Sustainability Plans for 12 Critically Overdrafted Basins Incomplete and Require Revision
California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 32, Number 6 -
December 2021Fresno County Superior Court Denies Westlands Water District’s Validation Action on its Federal Water Repayment Contract
California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 32, Number 3 -
November 18, 2020Congress Considers Amendment to Expand Reach of the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act
Argent Communications Group -
July 2020Court Finds Delta Plan Valid Despite Lack of Enforceable Numeric Compliance Targets
California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 30, Number 10 -
February 2020Court Declines to Address Issue of Future Prescription in Appeal to Santa Maria Groundwater Adjudication
California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 30, Number 5
A two-day Jeopardy! champion, Brian and his wife Christina enjoy spending their time cooking, traveling, and chasing after their dog Ziggy.
Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement
- Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section, Board of Directors, 2018-present
- California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section
- Sacramento Metro EDGE
- California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Contributing Author
Honors & Rankings
- Best Lawyers in America©, Ones to Watch, Litigation – Environmental Law, 2024
- Best Lawyers in America©, Ones to Watch, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law, 2023-2024
- Super Lawyers, Northern California Rising Star, Energy & Natural Resources, 2018-2023
- Clerkship, Justice Ron D. Parraguirre, Supreme Court of Nevada, 2012- 2014
- Externship, Honorable Kimberly J. Mueller, United States District Court, Eastern District of California, 2011
- Outstanding Student Achievement Award, Day Division, 2012
- Traynor Honor Society
- University of the Pacific Law Review, Editor-in-Chief