Austin Cho Selected as a Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellow

February 24, 2026

Downey Brand is proud to announce that Austin Cho has been selected as a Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Fellow. The year-long program recognizes high-performing attorneys with eight to 15 years of experience and connects them with general counsel, managing partners, and peers nationwide for leadership training, mentoring, and professional development opportunities.

Austin is a partner in the firm’s water practice, known for his thoughtful analysis and creative problem-solving in complex regulatory matters. He represents public agencies and private clients in a broad range of water rights and environmental issues, including surface and groundwater rights, environmental permitting, and project development and financing. Austin regularly advises clients on Proposition 218 compliance, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and the public trust doctrine, helping them navigate intricate regulatory frameworks and achieve practical, forward-looking solutions.

“Joining the LCLD Fellows program is a tremendous opportunity to engage with nationally recognized leaders who are shaping the future of the legal profession. I am proud to contribute to an organization that champions the advancement of diverse attorneys and helps cultivate lasting leadership across our profession.”

The LCLD Fellows program has built a national reputation for cultivating the next generation of legal leaders, with many alumni advancing into significant leadership roles within their organizations. Austin’s selection reflects his professional accomplishments and his continued growth as a leader within the firm and the broader legal community.

More information about LCLD and its initiatives is available on the organization’s website.