Civil Trial and Appellate Partner Barry Lee was named a 2023 Litigation Trailblazer by The National Law Journal.
Lee was recognized for his significant trial victory for the Metropolitan Water District of California (MWD) in a long-running series of disputes brought by the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) over rates that MWD charges its member agencies, including SDCWA. The trial involved complicated issues of water law, wheeling (a term of art for transporting another party’s water), the value of water supplies from the Colorado River and other sources, and contract interpretation.
“In a matter as sprawling and complex as the Metropolitan Water District of California case, my team and I found ourselves reflecting on the core principles of litigation: honesty, integrity, preparation and teamwork,” Lee said. “Because this case had a history before Manatt was engaged, these guideposts, especially preparation and teamwork, were crucial in defending against San Diego County Water Authority’s claims and presenting Metropolitan’s cross-claims. Without these tenets of trial work, outcomes for our client could have looked entirely different.”
Read Lee’s full The National Law Journal profile here.