Ward H. Simmons

Of Counsel

Ward Simmons helps public and private clients navigate the state and federal Endangered Species Acts and the Clean Water Act. His practice focuses on mitigation requirements associated with impacts to regulated water and endangered species. Ward assists clients with transactions including conservation easements and due diligence related to land for habitat conservation plans, mitigation banks and in-lieu fee programs. He is of counsel in the Environmental Law & Natural Resources practice group of Best Best & Krieger LLP.

Ward works with the Regional Conservation Authority to implement the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, one of the largest habitat conservation plans in the United States. He has helped several other clients establish habitat conservation plans under Section 10 of the federal Endangered Species Act. In addition, Ward assisted the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District in forming its In-Lieu Fee Mitigation Program following the 2008 adoption of the “mitigation rule” by the United States EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He also serves as assistant general counsel for several special districts including the Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency and the Running Springs Water District.

Prior to law school, Ward sold agricultural chemicals, including fertilizers and pesticides, in California’s Imperial Valley. He still maintains his Pest Control Advisor license and Certified Crop Advisor certificate.

Education

• University of California, Davis, J.D. (2003)
• University of California, Davis, B.A.

Bar Admissions

• California (2003)