Holland & Hart Partner Jody Williams was appointed on January 9, 2020, to the Utah Water Task Force by Brian Steed, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources, and Kerry Gibson, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. The Utah Water Task Force comprises water lawyers, industry representatives, municipal water providers, and agricultural interests who meet monthly with a statewide group of stakeholders to discuss current water issues likely to result in legislation. The Task Force aids the legislative process by presenting draft water right language to legislative sponsors, vetting proposed legislation, and interfacing between the water community and legislators that sponsor water rights bills.
Jody leverages more than 40 years of experience in water rights, natural resources, commercial real estate transactions, and energy law to help clients navigate the complexities of doing business in the Mountain West. She is recognized in the industry for her in-depth understanding of the complex, competing demands for water across the region and the political, economic, and social contexts in which disputes arise. Jody was appointed by President Obama to serve as the Federal Commissioner and Chair of the Bear River Commission. She was also appointed by President Clinton, and reappointed by President Bush, to serve from February 2001 to October 2014 on the Utah Reclamation Mitigation Conservation Commission, a federal agency responsible for mitigating environmental impacts from developing Utah’s Colorado River apportionment by the Central Utah Project.