Andrew J. Ramos (916) 446-4254 x113 ajr@bkslawfirm.com
OverviewAndrew is a firm principal and his practice focuses on advising and representing public agencies and water suppliers. Andrew has particular expertise in public agency law, including the Brown Act, Public Records Act, conflicts of interest, and public works construction law. His practice also includes water rights, including adjudications and permitting and related proceedings before the State Water Resources Control Board.Practice AreasGeneral Counsel Services Public Works Board GovernanceGroups and AssociationsCalifornia Special Districts Association, Legal Advisory Work Group Member Association of California Water Agencies, MemberEducationJ.D., University of California, Davis B.A., University of California, DavisRepresentative MattersSpecial District and Water Supplier Counsel – Andrew serves as general counsel to several California water suppliers, special districts, and joint powers authorities. He also serves as special counsel and assistant general counsel to other firm clients throughout the state, including irrigation districts, municipal water suppliers, groundwater sustainability agencies and private water companies. State Water Resources Control Board Proceedings – Andrew represents water suppliers in several pending proceedings before the Board, including water right applications and petitions for changes to existing water rights. In re Petition for the Adjudication of Rights to the Fresno River – Andrew represents a private landowner in the statutory adjudication of all water rights to the Fresno River watershed and related mediated proceedings. Steinbeck Vineyards #1, LLC. et al. v. San Luis Obispo County, et al., Santa Clara Superior Court Case No. 1-14-CV-265039 (trial court jury verdict) – As trial counsel for a small public water supplier in the Paso Robles groundwater adjudication, Andrew proved up his client’s acquisition of prescriptive rights to groundwater in a month-long jury trial. In re Antelope Valley Groundwater Cases, Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding No. 4408 (trial court judgment) – As trial counsel for a private landowner, Andrew successfully proved up his client’s right to groundwater as part of a 15-year adjudication of the Antelope Valley groundwater basin. Millview Cty. Water Dist. v. State Water Res. Ctrl. Bd. (2014) 229 Cal. App. 4th 879 – As appellate counsel for a regional water agency, Andrew assisted in court proceedings to adjudicate another water user’s claim to a pre-1914 appropriative water right.Publications and PresentationsVirtual Water Agency Board Meetings During COVID-19, Panelist, Webinars for the Association of California Water Agencies and California Association of Sanitation Agencies, April and May 2020 The Fundamentals and Questions of Groundwater Rights: Rights in Augmented Groundwater Recharge, Panelist, Association of California Water Agencies Conference, May 2017 The View from the Foxhole: What is Happening on the Ground Under and in Reaction to SGMA, Panelist, Association of California Water Agencies Conference, May 2016 Appellate Confirmation of State Water Board Administrative Jurisdiction to Prevent Illegal or Unreasonable Water Diversion and Use: Young, Millview and Light, Environmental Law News, State Bar of California, November 2015 Understanding California Surface Water and Groundwater Rights, Presenter, California Water Law and Regulations, HalfMoon Education, Inc., January 2015