“The M Advantage”: Where unique experience leads to desired outcomes and loyalty to clients is never compromised.
Miliband Water Law is a California boutique law firm focused on environmental and water resources, public agency law, and related litigation services. Wes Miliband is driven by passion for the subject matter with a proven track record of success and creativity on behalf of private and public interests throughout California. Clients often seek his input about legislative and policy matters, in addition to his legal and regulatory expertise. Wes focuses on securing and protecting water rights and water supplies, including assistance with water transfers, as well as the infrastructure necessary to treat, store, and deliver water. His practice lends itself to related environmental issues involving water quality impacts to surface water and groundwater supplies, fisheries and riparian habitat, regulatory permitting, and environmental compliance with federal and state requirements, including the California Environmental Quality Act. With unique cross training as advisory, transactional, and trial counsel, and having represented individuals and public and private entities, Wes provides clients with highly sophisticated strategic approaches for effectively resolving challenging circumstances and disputes that threaten to result in environmental litigation.
Wes started his legal career as a Deputy District Attorney in Orange County, where he prosecuted 20 jury trials and several more before the court. As a law student, he clerked for Judge Gerald G. Johnston of the Orange County Superior Court. Prior to law school, Wes was on staff for a Member of Congress.
Wes attributes much of his expertise and success on behalf of clients to mentorship he received from the late Susan M. Trager and the late Michael E. McPherson. Not only did Susan and Mike train Wes on the complexities of California water law, they influenced his understanding of how to practice law ethically and effectively on behalf of clients. In the spirit of his mentors, Wes enjoys mentoring other lawyers and helping to educate the next generation of water industry professionals. He regularly teaches and guest lectures at universities around the state in undergraduate, graduate, and law school courses.
Wes enjoys various outdoor activities, including year-round backpacking, flyfishing, whitewater rafting, and stand-up paddle boarding, all of which enhance his appreciation of the environment for the work he does for clients across the state in different industries with one common need — environmental and water resource services.
Navigating Water Is A Team Effort
“The M Advantage”: Expertise, Resources, and Nimbleness. As an intentionally small law firm, Miliband Water Law limits conflict of interest issues so as not to place its clients in a position of compromised loyalty, a virtue held tightly by Wes.
Wes has sought to be a “team player” in all aspects of his life, having honed a keen ability to know when to lead and when to follow. This distinction is critically important to effective legal counseling and advocacy, whether in the Boardroom or the Courtroom. Water resource matters exacerbate the need for teamwork given the complexities of facts, science, and law that intersect for undertaking a comprehensive and accurate analysis of the task at hand so that the client as the ultimate decisionmaker is well advised.
For nearly 20 years, Wes has built his water practice and in doing so his reputation amongst judges, regulatory agencies, legislative staff and lobbyists, and competitors, some of whom have become colleagues Wes can work effectively with to resolve disputes. With his expertise and commitment to clients, Wes has also built a network of relationships with water industry professionals so that the resources needed can be available depending on the tailored needs of the client.
In the big picture of it all, Wes remains mindful that he works for his clients, meaning he will thoroughly advise and zealously advocate as circumstances arise. Wes embraces his role of being in the boat with his client so that he can row efficiently and effectively to the desired destination.
