Scott S. Slater

Legendary water law practitioner with nearly 40 years of experience. Unmatched depth and diversity of water transactions. Handled the largest water transfer in United States’ history.

Scott Slater is a best-in-class water rights transactional attorney and litigator delivering strategic solutions and securing reliable water supplies for his clients. His sophisticated understanding of both the legal challenges and potential business impacts and opportunities in securing, maintaining and transferring water resources draws from his decades of experience. Handling some of the nation’s most complex and cutting-edge water deals, Scott is respected for his inability to maintain the status quo. Scott is a creative problem solver who thrives in complicated matters requiring innovative solutions. Whether helping guide private companies to serve as public stewards of their water resources or representing public agencies serving the resource needs of their constituents, Scott’s ingenuity often shifts the paradigm from win-lose to non-zero sum outcomes.

While maintaining his shareholder position at Brownstein, Scott also serves as CEO and President for Cadiz Inc., a publicly traded sustainable land, water and agricultural resources company with projects including the Cadiz Water Project and a vertically integrated commercial hemp operation.

Scott’s famed understanding of water law, especially in water scarce areas, has led him to play an integral role in shaping both national and international water code. He is the author of the treatise—California Water Law and Policy—frequently cited by judges and attorneys. Scott previously taught and advised government on reforming water policy in Western Australia, the Peoples Republic of China and is currently advising the nation of Tunisia.