MONICA M. JACOBS

Biography

Monica M. Jacobs is a Partner at Kelly Hart & Hallman.  Ms. Jacobs received a B.S. in economics, summa cum laude, from the University of Houston in 1995, and her J.D., with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law in 1998, where she was Order of the Coif.  Before joining private practice, Ms. Jacobs served as a Briefing Attorney for the Supreme Court of Texas, where she worked on a wide array of appellate issues.  Before joining Kelly Hart & Hallman, she was an associate with Bracewell & Guiliani LLP and a partner with Brown McCarroll LLP.

Ms. Jacobs' practice focuses on representation of regulated entities in environmental matters at the local, state and federal levels, primarily regarding water and energy resources.  With respect to water resources, Ms. Jacobs' specific experience includes water supply planning, development and protection; all types of water permitting, including surface water rights applications and permits issued by groundwater districts; water reuse; water rights sales and supply contracts; representation in regional planning processes; development of amenity lakes; and obtaining and amending water and wastewater certificates of convenience and necessity.  Ms. Jacobs' experience with energy resources is primarily focused on issues relating to mineral exploration and mining; Class III and Class I well permitting; radioactive material licenses; aquifer exemptions; and mine reclamation and closure.  Ms. Jacobs has extensive experience in representing clients in proceedings before the State Office of Administrative Hearings, as well as in enforcement and rulemaking matters at the Texas Commission on Environmental quality and the Railroad Commission of Texas.  In addition, Ms. Jacobs monitors and advises clients regarding legislative activities in both the water and energy resource areas.  Ms. Jacobs is a founder and Immediate Past Chair for the Environmental, Natural Resources and Water Law Section of the Austin Bar Association.

Education & Honors

• B.S., with honors, summa cum laude, The University of Houston, 1995 
• J.D., with honors, The University of Texas School of Law, 1998
  • Order of the Coif
  • Texas Law Review 
• Named "Texas Rising Star" by Texas Monthly magazine, 2004-2009
• Outstanding Young Alumni Award from University of Houston Honors College, 2000

Admission & Affiliations

• Texas,  1998
• Chair, Environmental, Natural Resources and Water Law Section of Austin Bar Association, 2005-2007
  • Immediate Past Chair, 2007-2008
• Advisory Board Member for University of Texas School of Law's Environmental Law Clinic 

Significant Matters

• First Chair in Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) contested case hearing regarding applications to amend uranium mining production area restoration tables; received favorable decision from Judge and Commission on all issues.
• First Chair in TCEQ enforcement contested case; after the conclusion of the live hearing, TCEQ requested that the case be remanded prior to the issuance of the Judge's decision.
• Drafted substantial revisions to Chapter 131 of the Natural Resources Code and Chapter 27 of the Water Code regarding in situ uranium mining and groundwater use on the behalf of three uranium mining companies; worked with legislative and agency staff and other stakeholders; both bills were passed unanimously by both the Texas House and Senate.
• Lead successful effort to obtain water and wastewater certificates of convenience and necessity for the City of Austin's eastern (ETJ).
• Worked on all aspects of water rights issues for major municipalities, including permitting and strategy regarding the transport and reuse of effluent and state-mandated regional planning.

Publications & Speeches

• "Case Law Update, New Directions in Water" Presentation at the 2008 The Texas Water Conservation Association and The Texas Rural Water Association Water Law Seminar, Austin, Texas, February 2008.
• "Texas Water Rights...Amenity Lakes, Detention Ponds, and Dams," Presentation to LJA Engineering Company, Austin, Texas, January 2008
• Speaker, "Water Rights Permitting Process," Brazos G Regional Water Planning Group, Brazos River Authority, Waco, Texas, October 24, 2007