Sacramento 916.520.5466
Assistant Information
Sonia Louie
Phone 916.520.5357
Email
Education
- J.D., with distinction, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 2021
- B.A., University of California at Davis, 2016
Bar Admissions
- California, 2021
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
Nicolas D. Chapman
Associate
Nicolas Chapman's ("Nico") practice focuses primarily on water resources, encompassing surface and groundwater rights litigation, endangered species issues, flood protection, and public agency issues.
In addition to assisting private and public clients navigate the complex realm of water rights, Nico has experience assisting public clients secure water resources infrastructure financing. Clients rely on Nico’s discerning eye and straightforward approach to achieving client success.
Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement
- Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
- California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section
- California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Contributing Author
- University of the Pacific Law Review, Chief Articles & Symposium Editor, 2020-2021
- University of the Pacific Law Review, Staff Writer, 2019-2020
Honors & Rankings
- Traynor Honor Society, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
- Dean’s List, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 2018-2021
- Judicial Extern, Honorable Morrison C. England, Eastern District of California, 2021
- Assisted in counseling clients to prove pre-1914 appropriative water right by tracking historical records.
- Assisted in counseling clients to form improvement districts for financing water infrastructure projects.
- Assisted in counseling clients in Federal Endangered Species Act litigation regarding the central valley project.
- Assisted in counseling clients on duties and liabilities of flood control districts.
- Assisted in counseling clients in a groundwater adjudication in Southern California.
- Drafted motions and briefs on client behalf in inverse condemnation action.
Announcements
1 related items-
January 27, 2022Downey Brand Welcomes Seven New Associates
Speaking Engagements / Events
2 related items-
November 30, 2023Ethics Training (AB 1234)2023 ACWA Fall Conference & Expo
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May 11, 2023Ethics Training (AB 1234)Presenter, ACWA Spring Conference
Legal Alerts
2 related items-
July 7, 2022Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Reverses RCRA Citizen Suit Decision Affecting Drinking Water Supply Agencies in California River Watch v. City of Vacaville
Water Quality Law -
June 9, 2022State Water Board Issues Sweeping Water Right Curtailment Order in 2022 for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Watershed
Water Law
Publications
8 related items-
March 2024State Water Resources Control Board Again Addresses Instream Flow Concerns in Scott and Shasta Rivers Through Emergency Rulemaking
California Water Law and Policy Reporter, Volume 34, Number 6 -
December 2023Environmental Groups Challenge State Water Resources Control Board’s Order Modifying Irrigated Lands Program Order for Central Coast Region
California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 34, Number 3 -
August/September 2023District Court Vacates National Marine Fisheries Services’ Biological Opinion and Environmental Assessment for Safe Harbor Agreements Regarding Shasta River Coho Salmon
Environmental, Energy & Climate Change Law and Regulation Reporter, Volume 3, Number 11 -
May 2023California Court of Appeal Upholds State Water Resources Control Board’s General Waste Discharge Requirements in WQO 2018-0002
California Water Law and Policy Reporter, Volume 33, Number 8 -
February 2023California Tribes and Environmental Organizations File Civil Rights Complaint and Petition for Rulemaking with EPA for Bay-Delta Water Quality Standards
California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 33, Number 5 -
November 2022Ninth Circuit Holds That Native Alaskan Tribe has an Implied Right to Fish off the Tribe’s Reservation
Western Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 27, Number 1 -
April 2022Department of Water Resources Begins Preparation of Environmental Impact Report for West False River Drought Salinity Barrier
California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 32, Number 7 -
November 2021Water Agencies File Lawsuits Challenging State Water Board’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Curtailment Order
California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Volume 32, Number 2
Water is Nico’s passion for two distinct yet compelling reasons. Nicolas is an avid water polo player, having played since childhood through college at the Division I level. He continues to play whenever he can. More importantly, however, Nico’s passion for water derives from his wife’s family farm. If he’s not serving clients, nor in the pool, Nico can be found helping his wife, Emily, in the walnut orchards.
Professional, Community And Pro Bono Involvement
- Sacramento County Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
- California Lawyers Association, Environmental Law Section
- California Water Law & Policy Reporter, Contributing Author
- University of the Pacific Law Review, Chief Articles & Symposium Editor, 2020-2021
- University of the Pacific Law Review, Staff Writer, 2019-2020
Honors & Rankings
- Traynor Honor Society, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
- Dean’s List, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 2018-2021
- Judicial Extern, Honorable Morrison C. England, Eastern District of California, 2021