Byron Lewis’ practice is focused in the areas of natural resources and environmental litigation, insurance litigation, commercial litigation and appeals.  He is involved day-to-day in litigating water rights claims, water pollution claims, hazardous waste claims, insurance coverage and commercial litigation claims.  He handles insurance litigation of various types, including insurance coverage issues, professional liability claims and bad faith claims.  His commercial litigation experience includes breach of contract claims, contract interpretation claims, property damage claims and account collection claims.  Mr. Lewis’ litigation experience also includes litigation of administrative agency claims, court claims, mediation and arbitration.  He has litigated both jury and non-jury trials in federal and state courts.  His litigation practice has included cases in the following Arizona Counties: Apache, Cochise, Coconino, Gila, Graham, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai and Yuma.  Mr. Lewis’ appellate practice includes civil appeals of all types, and he has handled numerous appeals in both the State and Federal Appellate Courts.

Representative Professional Experience

• Special Discovery Master in complex litigation claims in Maricopa County Superior Court.
• Coordinating counsel for the Salt River Project in John F. Long v. Arizona Public Service Company and Salt River Project, which determined the ownership of treated sewage effluent for use at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station.
• Lead counsel for the Salt River Project in defending flood litigation cases since 1972.
• Lead counsel for the Salt River Project in the Baker v. Motorola class action and personal injury lawsuits arising out of the alleged distribution of contaminated groundwater.
• Lead counsel in litigating rights to groundwater supplying the water needs of the Coronado Generating Station.
• Lead counsel for the Salt River Project in a Superfund cost recovery action filed by the City of Phoenix relating to potential groundwater contamination caused by the City of Phoenix 19th Avenue Landfill.
• Provided advice and counsel on a variety of issues arising under the Federal Reclamation Act and the Arizona Groundwater Management Act and has represented parties in proceedings before the Arizona Department of Water Resources.
• Involved in the representation of the Salt River Project water rights since the inception of the Gila River and Little Colorado River stream adjudications which are complex proceedings to determine water rights on the two major Arizona streams.

Honors & Awards

• Martindale-Hubbell, AV rating
• The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, Natural Resources Law and Water Law (1995-present)

Professional & Civic Activities

• State Bar of Arizona Section on Environmental & Natural Resources Law, Chairman (1992-93).
• Chairman of, and speaker at, various Continuing Legal Education seminars, including seminars related to environmental and natural resources issues and seminars related to insurance issues.

Speaking Engagements

• “Arizona prior appropriation law”, Annual Arizona Water Law Symposium, CLE International (1994-present)

Memberships & Affiliations

• State Bar of Arizona
• Maricopa County Bar Association