Gary’s extensive experience encompasses water rights, potable water, recycled water, irrigation water, wastewater, water quality and storm water issues. He advises on all aspects of permitting, compliance and enforcement matters relating to surface water and groundwater. Gary represents clients with respect to groundwater and surface water rights, water rights due diligence, acquisition and sale, recycled water planning, distribution and use, storm water permitting, wastewater collection, treatment and disposal, groundwater storage, water exchanges and water transfers. Representative industries include water purveyors, agriculture, manufacturing, mining and developers. He has extensive experience in successfully negotiating a wide spectrum of water related agreements, cooperative arrangements and settlements, and when necessary, dispute resolution. 

Gary's environmental practice routinely includes representation of clients with respect to environmental issues involving the National Environmental Quality Act (NEPA), the California Environmental Protection Act (CEQA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA) as well as other federal and state environmental laws and regulations. He has represented clients with respect to groundwater contamination involving such contaminates as MTBE, VOC and PCE. He is experienced in Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) cost recovery actions such as contamination emanating from landfills, administrative proceedings relating to water rights and public trust resources, and endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.

Gary is well versed in the construction industry as he began his career as an architect for Gensler & Associates, an international architecture firm. He advises public and private clients on design-bid-build, design-build and public-private partnerships for infrastructure development projects including pipeline projects, bridges, ports, water and wastewater treatment plants, buildings and transportation projects. Gary has hands-on experience in virtually every aspect of a construction project from beginning to end, encompassing RFP preparation and response, contract document preparation, bidding, contract formation and performance, claims prevention and resolution, insurance and bonding issues and, when needed, dispute resolution. Applying his industry experience to his practice, Gary has drafted and negotiated project-related contracts for public clients and private clients contracting with public agencies including consultant agreements, procurement and construction contracts, standard industry-form contracts, and equipment, supply and acquisition agreements.

Gary represents public agency clients, as general and special counsel, on matters concerning public contracting, construction contracting, contract compliance and risk management with respect to infrastructure projects. He advises public clients on conflicts of interest, public records disclosures, open meeting laws, and litigation planning and management. He regularly represents public agencies with respect to disputes, joint powers authorities, business transactions and the development of strategic planning to maximize opportunities while minimizing risks. Gary is skilled in negotiating and preparing a wide spectrum of agreements routinely encountered by public agencies and private clients transacting business with public agencies. He has drafted special legislation to assist public agencies achieve their goals.