Gary W. Sawyers
Practice and Experience
Mr. Sawyers is recognized for his work as a water lawyer, representing agricultural interests, developers, lenders, and water purveyors statewide on a wide array of water-related matters, and for his expertise in agribusiness matters. Mr. Sawyers is regularly involved in water-related transactions, analysis and development of water supplies and environmental compliance. Mr. Sawyers also regularly participates in a wide range of legislative and regulatory efforts, including the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. He has also assisted in the development of a numerous fisheries improvement programs throughout the State. In addition, Mr. Sawyers assists privately held businesses of all sizes and publicly traded companies with their real estate and other transactional needs. His experience includes leasing, acquisitions and mergers, entity formation and structuring, and commercial transactions. Mr. Sawyers’s clients include developers, lenders, farming interests, agribusiness companies, and business interests throughout the State.
Honors and Awards
Mr. Sawyers is rated AV® PreeminentTM by his peers in Martindale Hubbell and for many years has been included in Best Lawyers in America, Northern California Super Lawyers, Lawyers of Distinction, Top Rated Lawyers in Real Estate Law and Best Lawyers in Northern California. He was awarded the John Keyes II Memorial Award by the Family Farm Alliance for his contributions to Western irrigated agriculture and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Professional Associations
Mr. Sawyers is a member of the California State Bar and Fresno County Bar Association, and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law, San Joaquin College of Law, teaching water law and environmental law.
Writings and Presentations
Mr. Sawyers is a frequent speaker on water-related topics, particularly the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. He has authored widely read primers on that Act and on California water rights.