Practice Expertise

  • Water Law
  • Plant Development, Facility Siting and ...
  • Agency Actions and Rulemaking
  •  

Areas of Practice

  • Agency Actions and Rulemaking
  • Plant Development, Facility Siting and ...
  • Water Law
  •  

Profile

Shonee Langford helps his clients navigate Oregon and Washington water laws. Since joining Schwabe in 2004, Shonee has focused on water rights and in-water projects, finding straightforward solutions to complex water supply problems. His clients range from individuals, farms and ranches, to special districts and municipalities.

Shonee is a practical, results-oriented lawyer who recognizes that the best approach is often the simplest. His reservoir of knowledge and experience allows him to quickly identify potential solutions and provide customized, cost-effective advice. He values and draws upon the experience of colleagues, consultants and agency personnel to help accomplish his clients’ goals. 

Bar Admissions

  • Oregon State Courts
  • Washington State Courts
  • Utah State Courts

Education

  • Willamette University College of Law, Juris Doctor degree, cum laude (2004)
  • Portland State University, Bachelor of Arts degree, Philosophy, with highest honors (2000)

Areas of Practice

  • Agency Actions and Rulemaking
  • Plant Development, Facility Siting and Permitting
  • Water Law

Professional Career

Significant Accomplishments
  • Advised a global investment company on water rights aspects of transactions involving over 20,000 irrigated acres, including preparation and negotiation of water delivery agreements.
  • Represented a ranch client in negotiating a flow restoration agreement with The Freshwater Trust. Our client was paid to reduce irrigation for the benefit of summer steelhead.
  • Helped a social media company acquire water rights and related mitigation credits for a data center.
  • Formed a water supply district for a group of irrigators and helped the district secure water rights and a long-term water service contract with the Bureau of Reclamation.
  • Secured extension of water district permits through 2050, including successful negotiation of a settlement agreement.
  • Completed numerous water-related due diligence investigations for a national real estate investment company. 




Articles

  • Oregon Water Law Questions and Answers
  • Oregon Supreme Court Holds Hydroelectric Water Rights Case
  • Oregon Court of Appeals Holds Hydroelectric Water Rights Do Not Automatically Convert to Permanent In-Stream Rights When Temporarily Leased for In-Stream Purposes
  • Court Finds Oregon Water Resources Department Exceeded Authority to Regulate Wells
  • Water Right Tools Available for Farms and Ranches Facing Drought

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