Riney Salmon is a founding member of Salmon, Lewis & Weldon.  His practice focuses on natural resources and water law, electric power and utilities, litigation, environmental law, government relations, real estate and commercial transactions and Indian law.

Mr. Salmon has a long history of advising special districts.  Since 1970 he has represented the Maricopa County Municipal Water Conservation District Number One.  He has also as general counsel represented the San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District since 1985.  During these periods, he has been involved in a wide variety of issues such as water rights transactions and litigation.  He has handled numerous complex transactions, including real estate development, urbanization and development of lands, rights-of-way, and delivery of water and power services and Indian law.

Representative Professional Experience

• Negotiated proposed divestiture of the Federal San Carlos Irrigation Project power facilities in the early 1990s to the water users of the Project.
• Litigated cases in the state and federal courts, including the State Gila River General Stream Adjudication and multiple proceedings in federal court relating to the enforcement of the 1935 Decree in Globe Equity No. 59.
• Successfully defended the Maricopa Water District against Maricopa County’s attempt to restrict the district’s ability to establish and assess public recreation activities at Lake Pleasant in Maricopa County v. Maricopa County Mun. Water Cons. Dist. No. 1, 171 Ariz. 325, 830 P.2d 846 (App. 1991).
• Successfully pursued claims on behalf of the San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District against the Federal Government for breach of contract relating to the operation and maintenance of federal water and power delivery facilities in San Carlos Irrigation & Drainage Dist. v. United States, 111 F.3d 1557 (Fed. Cir. 1997).
• Currently engaged in additional claims on behalf of the San Carlos Irrigation and Drainage District against the federal Government involving the assessment of costs for the operation and maintenance of the San Carolos Irrigation Project in San Carlos Irrigation & Drainage Dist. v. United States, Fed. Cl No.06-576C.
• Currently engaged in multiple water rights disputes under the 1935 Decree in Globe Equity No. 59.

Honors & Awards

• Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent rating

Memberships & Affiliations

• American Bar Association, Law Practice and Senior Lawyers Sections
• Arizona State Bar, Natural Resources & Environmental Law Section
• Maricopa County Bar Association, Section on Environmental, Energy and Natural Resources
• Colorado River Water Users Association (CRWUA)
• Agri-Business Council of Arizona, Inc.