Jennifer L. Spaletta

Jen Spaletta is a seasoned water law attorney with over two decades of experience, helping clients navigate complex water, real estate, regulatory, and commercial challenges. Jennifer has served as lead trial counsel in court and jury trials across California and in the Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., handling cases related to water rights and water quality regulations, constitutional due process, Bureau of Reclamation water project contracts, and commercial contracts.

During her career, Jen has served as both general and special counsel to various public agencies, including reclamation and water districts, wineries, food processors, and agribusiness industry groups.

Education

University of California, Davis, School of Law, J.D., 1999

University of California, Davis, M.S., Agriculture and Resource Economics, 1998

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, B.S., Agribusiness Policy, Water Science, 1995, summa cum laude

Admissions

California

United States Court of Federal Claims

• Represent and advise groundwater sustainability agencies on the preparation and implementation of groundwater sustainability plans and policies for critically overdrafted groundwater sub-basins in California.
• Regular representation of private landowners and companies in complying with groundwater and surface water regulation by local and state agencies, including obtaining permits or approvals for diversions and extractions from relevant agencies, and negotiating the terms of those approvals to meet client needs.
• Represent coalition of landowners regulated under the California irrigated lands regulatory program in negotiations with state agencies regarding program requirements and on-going compliance related to water quality impacts of irrigated agriculture in the Central Valley.  Lead counsel for coalition in successful litigation to challenge early program implementation, and in subsequent litigation to successfully defend a renegotiated program supported by the coalition.
• Member of legal team that secured a legal victory for California water districts in administrative proceeding at California State Water Resources Control Board related to 2015 drought curtailments, and in trial court and appellate action for violation of water users’ constitutional due process rights related to water right curtailments.
• Advised on the DREAM project, a collaboration between the East Bay Municipal Utility District and the North San Joaquin Water Conservation District, facilitating first of its kind groundwater banking project in San Joaquin Valley.
• Special counsel to Fallbrook Public Utility District regarding surface and groundwater rights associated with an adjudication in Southern California.
• Trial and appellate counsel for Stockton East Water District in its legal victory for breach of contract against the United States related to the New Melones project on the Stanislaus River.
• Special counsel to water districts in San Joaquin, Kern, Tulare, and Kings Counties regarding implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.
• Lead counsel for special district in Tulare County in action to enjoin unlawful groundwater appropriation.
• Special counsel to landowners throughout California to identify and evaluate surface and groundwater water rights for on-site beneficial use or transfer.

• Frank R. Beeler Watershed Stewardship Award, Lower Mokelumne River Partnership, 2024
• Listed in Northern California Super Lawyers^® (Environmental, Environmental Litigation), 2017–present
• Agribusiness Person of the Year, Lodi District Chamber of Commerce, 2019

Professional

• Advisory Council Member for the UC Davis Environmental Law Center

Civic

• Lodi District Grape Growers Association, former Board Member, former President, Member 2005 - present
• Past president of the Women's Center of San Joaquin Valley
• Volunteer youth recreational soccer coach