Stoel Rives Hired New Water Rights Partner in Seattle
The firm expanded its environmental practice to support Pacific Northwest clients with specialized water law expertise.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in People
Stoel Rives LLP has appointed a new water rights attorney to its Seattle office as a partner. The hire arrives from K&L Gates to bolster the firm's environmental practice group.
Why it matters
The recruitment signals a strategic move to deepen technical legal capacity for clients navigating complex Pacific Northwest water regulations. The firm aims to leverage this new hire to strengthen its regional environmental advisory capabilities.
Stoel Rives added one partner to its Seattle environmental practice, marking a change in the firm's leadership bench. The move follows the attorney's tenure at the competing firm K&L Gates.
The players
Stoel Rives LLP
A full-service law firm with a significant footprint in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on complex litigation, corporate law, and environmental regulation.
K&L Gates
A global law firm providing comprehensive legal services to growth-oriented businesses and large corporations.
The details
The firm integrated the new partner into its existing environmental practice group to address regional water resource challenges. By recruiting from a firm like K&L Gates, Stoel Rives gains an experienced practitioner who can manage the regulatory compliance and litigation needs of clients operating within Pacific Northwest water jurisdictions.
Timeline
Stoel Rives announced the recruitment on October 7, 2026.
Market Landscape
This move follows a broader industry pattern where firms increasingly compete to secure partners with specialized environmental expertise to serve the high-stakes infrastructure and agricultural sectors. The hiring highlights the continued focus on regulatory depth in the Pacific Northwest market.
Operators in sectors reliant on water rights, such as agriculture, development, and municipal utilities, should evaluate how this expertise shift affects their current legal advisory needs. Business owners should review their existing outside counsel agreements to determine if this new partner availability impacts their long-term regulatory strategy.
The takeaway
Firms are prioritizing niche expertise to navigate increasing environmental scrutiny in the region. Monitor your firm's updated practice capabilities to ensure your legal counsel remains aligned with your operational needs in water-sensitive industries.
Further reading
For more on hiring shifts and talent trends, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Law360.
