DENVER, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Denver-based regional law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck will merge with the California law firm Hatch & Parent effective January 1, 2008, both firms announced today.
The merged firm will be based in Denver and will retain the name Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. The merger brings together a real estate and political powerhouse with California's largest water practice. The combination will create one of the largest water practices in the country and rounds out each firm's natural resources, real estate, corporate, litigation and government relations practices to create a firm that can continue to provide superior results for its clients.
"Brownstein has been playing a role in water issues for the last decade," said Bruce James, CEO and managing partner of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. "We saw a union with Hatch & Parent as a way of playing an even larger role in the biggest issue facing the West. Hatch & Parent's managing partner, Robert Saperstein agreed, adding, "This merger forms the West's premier water group with the expertise to assist public and private sectors in pioneering strategies to meet the increasing challenge of diminishing water resources and an increasing demand for water."
Merged, Brownstein will have more than 210 attorneys and policy advisors in 12 locations, primarily in the western U.S., including California (Sacramento, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Orange County and South Lake Tahoe); Colorado (Aspen and Denver); Nevada (Las Vegas); New Mexico (Albuquerque and Santa Fe); and District of Columbia (Washington). Brownstein's James will retain his leadership role while Hatch & Parent's Saperstein will sit on the firm's executive committee.
Hatch & Parent has been a force in California water law since the firm was founded in 1968. Clients include American States Water Company, San Diego County Water Authority, South Tahoe Public Utility District, the Cities of Fresno and Oxnard, Nestle Waters North America, El Dorado County Water Agency and Chino Basin Watermaster. The firm currently has 30 attorneys, 18 of whom practice water law.
The merger comes at a time of considerable growth for Brownstein. Over the past four years, the firm has nearly doubled in size, growing from approximately 110 attorneys and policy consultants in 2003 to approximately 185 attorneys and policy consultants in 2007. In January 2007, the firm merged with Schreck Brignone in Las Vegas, adding a nationally recognized gaming practice to its list of offerings to create Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. This year, the firm's lobbying practice, based in Washington, D.C., is ranked among the top 20 highest grossing lobbying firms in the country in The Hill's list of top lobbying firms.
About Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck: Founded in 1968, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck practices in the areas of real estate, environment and natural resources, public policy, corporate and litigation. The firm has offices in Albuquerque, N.M., Aspen, Colo., Denver, Las Vegas, Orange County, Calif., Santa Fe, N.M., and Washington, D.C. With more than 185 attorneys and legislative consultants in its seven offices, the firm works in industries ranging from real estate development, hospitality, private equity, telecommunications, technology, manufacturing, construction, energy, entertainment, gaming, and banking and finance. For more information, visit http://www.bhfs.com/.
About Hatch & Parent: With offices in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Calif., San Diego, Sacramento, Calif., and South Lake Tahoe, Calif., Hatch & Parent represents public and private entities on land use, water resources and strategic planning throughout the state. The firm also features practices in corporate and tax, complex litigation, public agency, environmental quality and compliance, real estate, trusts and estates, appellate law and legislative advocacy. For more information, visit http://www.hatchparent.com/.
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck; Hatch & Parent
