Somach Simmons and Dunn, Attorneys at Law Somach Simmons & Dunn | Attorneys at Law

Areas

Education

  • University of Colorado Law School (J.D., 2015)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A., 2011)

Admissions

  • Colorado

Michael W. Daugherty
Associate
LinkedIn Bio

Michael Daugherty represents public and private parties in complex matters involving water and other natural resources throughout the West. He provides advice regarding water rights, water quality, and land use to a variety of clients, including public entities, ranches, resorts, and universities.

Michael combines his experience as a Colorado water lawyer in private practice with a unique perspective gained through his prior work in Indian Country, as in-house counsel to a tribal government and as a public defender. Prior to joining the firm, Michael worked in the Navajo Nation’s attorney general office, providing legal advice and representation to the Navajo Nation departments of land, fish and wildlife, historic preservation, and environmental protection. Key matters worked on include the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project, landmark legislation that increased tribal authority over leasing and permitting on tribal land, and formal negotiations with the National Park Service regarding wilderness designations and the State of Utah regarding off-reservation hunting rights. His first position after law school graduation was with DNA-People’s Legal Services, as a public defender for the Hopi Tribe and civil legal aid attorney in rural Arizona.

Beyond his law practice, Michael enjoys exploring the outdoors in Colorado and around the world.

Representative Matters

Prosecute water court applications seeking new and changing existing water rights on behalf of a variety of clients.

Represent parties to rulemaking proceedings before the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission.

Litigate appeals of water court and agency decisions, including before the Colorado Supreme Court.

Assist with moving forward state and federal water related legislation.

Draft agreements involving water rights for public entities and private landowners and developers.

Provide general counsel advice to Colorado ditch companies.

Insights and Activities

  • Panelist, “The Poverty Penalty: America’s Overuse of Fines and Fees,” University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform, University of Michigan Law School, January 2021
  • Author, “Tribal courts should abolish cash bail,” High Country News, July 2020

 

Recent Articles

Biden Administration Redefines “Waters of the United States”

On January 18, 2023, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (collectively, the “Agencies”) finalized a rule (2023 Rule) redefining how the Agencies interpret ... Read More

Colorado Water Quality Control Division Proposes New Nutrient Water Quality Standards for Lakes and Reservoirs Across the State

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Water Quality Control Division (WQCD) has proposed significant revisions to the nutrient water quality regulations for lakes and reservoirs across the State. ... Read More

The Colorado Division of Water Resources Will Now Require Augmentation Plans for Certain Water Exchanges

In a June 10, 2022, memorandum (the “Memo”), the Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR) summarized the agency’s position on water court applications for water exchanges involving wells pumping from ... Read More

Five Tips for Colorado Ditch Companies

As spring arrives in Colorado, ditch companies across the state will begin running their ditches for the benefit of their shareholders and other water users. Like most arid Western states, ... Read More

Education

  • University of Colorado Law School (J.D., 2015)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A., 2011)

Admissions

  • Colorado