Of Counsel Boise Office U.S. Bank Plaza 101 S. Capitol Boulevard, Suite 1400 Boise, ID 83702-7714 Phone: 208-342-5000 Fax: 208-343-8869 wmyers@hollandhart.com

PRACTICE AREAS

Water Resources Legislation Appeals

Mr. Myers has extensive experience in water resources and public land law, having rejoined the firm in 2003 after serving as the Solicitor of the U.S. Department of the Interior.  As Solicitor, Mr. Myers was the chief legal officer and third-ranking official in the Department.  He supervised an office of over 300 attorneys in 19 locations nationwide.  He also worked closely with the Department of Justice and other federal agencies. 

Significant water matters supervised by former Solicitor Myers included allocation of the Colorado River, federal reserved water rights, Native American and hydro-power conflicts, endangered species and irrigation project conflicts, general stream adjudications, Native American water rights claims, stockwater claims, Clean Water Act permitting issues, Bureau of Reclamation legal affairs, and state claims to navigable rivers and offshore resources.

Mr. Myers first joined Holland & Hart’s Boise office in 1997.  In his private water law practice, Mr. Myers has represented amicus curiae clients in the U.S. Supreme Court (Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers).  He has represented local governments, associations and individuals in lower federal courts and before Congress regarding the Clean Water Act, Wild and Scenic River Act, and water rights.  He has obtained and protected water rights for clients in state administrative hearings and stream adjudications.

Mr. Myers is admitted to practice in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and the District of Columbia as well as various federal courts including the U.S. Supreme Court. He is listed as one of The Best Lawyers in America and in the 2008 edition of Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyer for Business, for Natural Resources and Environment.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

In addition to speaking and writing in the areas of his expertise, Mr. Myers has served as Vice Chairman of the American Bar Association Committee on Public Lands under the Section of Environment, Energy and Resources.  He also chaired the Federal Lands Task Force Working Group, chartered by the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners, to promote improved management of federal lands in Idaho.

EDUCATION

University of Denver College of Law (J.D., 1981)
  Member, Denver Law Journal and Denver Journal of International Law and
  Policy

College of William and Mary (A.B., 1977)