Maya Ferry Stafford is an attorney in the firm's Water Group, representing clients on a broad range of environmental and public agency matters involving water issues. Maya's Endangered Species Act (ESA) experience includes representing water contractors in multiple federal lawsuits regarding Central Valley Project and State Water Project operations. She also has extensive experience advising clients whose projects implicate the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Maya provides public agency expertise in the areas of the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, and LAFCO laws. Maya also works with private interests, such as advising developers regarding how to ensure adequate water supplies and to comply with state laws regarding water supply development.

Maya has represented water right holders before the California State Water Resources Control Board and has litigated cases before federal and state courts on both the trial and appellate levels.

Experience

Successfully represented multiple Central Valley Project contractors in federal Endangered Species Act litigation that threatened the contractors' water supplies and operations

Advise client on California Environmental Quality Act issues related to development of desalination plant project

Successfully defended public agency's proposal for consolidation of two water districts under the Cortese-Knox Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000

Represent clients before the State Water Resources Control Board in obtaining and modifying post-1914 appropriative water rights

Advise and represent flood control joint powers authorities through a cooperative negotiation process with a state agency to develop a new regulatory policy

Advise irrigators on planning and executing conjunctive use programs and water transfers

Represent water diverters installing fish screens throughout the permitting and approvals process

MEMBERSHIPS

United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Admitted to Practice

State Bar of California, Environmental Law Section, Member

Sacramento County Bar Association, Member

EDUCATION

Northwestern School of Law Lewis & Clark College (J.D., Certificate in

Environmental and Natural Resources Law, 2004)

University of Washington (B.S., 2000)

PUBLICATIONS

American Bar Association Water Resources Committee Newsletter, “Natural Resources Defense Council v. Kempthorne: A Federal Court Tackles the Future of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta,” August 2008, Author

California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Monthly Contributing Writer

Law Review: Environmental Law, 2003 – 2004, Current Materials Editor

presentations

California State Bar Real Property Section Retreat, “Keeping Real Estate Investments From Turning to Dust: The Interaction of Water Supply Planning and Real Property Development,” 2009, Presenter

California Water Law and Policy Conference, “Dealing with the Next Phase of Due Diligence,” 2007, Presenter

Northern California Water Association and Downey Brand Ethics Training for Local Agency Officials: “AB 1234: The Brown Act,” Presenter (2006, 2007, 2008) and Organizer (2008)

University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Appellate and International Advocacy, 2007, Adjunct Professor

CHARITABLE

Center for Youth Citizenship, High School Mock Trial Coach

Voluntary Legal Services Program, Simple Wills Clinic, Pro Bono Attorney