Russell G. Behrens is a partner in Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Environmental Law & Natural Resources, and Special Districts practice groups. Mr. Behrens represents both public agencies and private clients in practice areas including general counsel services; environmental and water law; water facility project formation, financing, construction and operations; land annexation; and coordinating related litigation.
Mr. Behrens currently serves as general counsel to three regional wholesale water distribution agencies: Municipal Water District of Orange County, Castaic Lake Water Agency and San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency. He has also served as special counsel to Sweetwater Authority, Capistrano Beach Water District and Hemet/San Jacinto Groundwater Association.
Before joining BB&K, Mr. Behrens was a principal in the firm of Kidman, Behrens & Tague (formerly McCormick, Kidman & Behrens) in Costa Mesa, California.
Mr. Behrens has served on the board of directors of the Rancho Santiago College District and the Santa Ana College Foundation, and was a founding member of the William Gray American Inn of Court of Orange County. He has also served as a member of the State Bar Public Law Section executive committee and was vice chairman in 1991 and 1992. Mr. Behrens was chairman of the Association of California Water Agencies continuing legal education committee from 1995 to 2005.