Overview

Stefanie Albright practices in the areas of water law and environmental law. She represents governmental entities, including water districts, water supply corporations, municipalities, and regional authorities with matters involving water quality, water and wastewater utilities, water rights, permitting and compliance, open government, and general counsel services.

Stefanie has more than 15 years of experience as a water law attorney. Prior to joining BHDA, she was a partner and member of the water law team at a private practice in Austin. In addition, she served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Elsa Alcala, Texas First Court of Appeals, while attending law school. Stefanie’s background also includes several years of work as a lead staff member in the Texas House of Representatives.

  • rovide general counsel services, including the creation, organization, and operation of water and wastewater utilities to regional authorities, water districts, and other water utilities in Texas.
  • Advise clients regarding general governance and transparency issues relating to the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Public Information Act, governmental immunity, competitive bidding, conflicts of interest, and general ethics.
  • Represent clients before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Public Utility Commission on water and wastewater matters, including all types of issues involving water and wastewater permitting and certificates of convenience and necessity.
  • Represent clients in negotiations related to the purchase and sale of regional water and wastewater systems.
  • Negotiate and draft developer agreements relating to the construction of water and wastewater utilities, developer reimbursements, capacity allocations, and facility conveyances.
  • Prepare and execute real property documents, including easements and license agreements.
  • Negotiate and prepare agreements for water and wastewater service and supply.
  • Coordinate and manage stormwater permitting for Phase I and Phase II MS4 permit entities, including drafting and execution of permit applications and preparation of annual reports.
  • Participate in Texas Commission on Environmental Quality stakeholder meetings relating to water quality and water rights, districts, and stormwater permitting.
  • Assist clients with water quality matters involving permitting and compliance issues.
  • Texas Rising Stars list (Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters), 2018-2020
  • Senior Articles Editor, Houston Journal of Health Law & Policy, 2007-2008
  • University of Houston Law Center Moot Court, Client Counseling Competition Regional Finalist, 2007
  • Ewer-Oren J.D. Health Law Writing Award Recipient, 2007
  • Board Member, The University of Texas at Austin McDonald Observatory and Department of Astronomy Board of Visitors, 2019 – Present
  • State Bar of Texas (Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section; Administrative Law Section)
  • Texas Water Association (formerly Texas Water Conservation Association)
  • Texas Alliance of Groundwater Districts
  • Texas Association of Water Board Directors
  • Austin Bar Association (Environmental, Natural Resource, and Water Law Section)

Admissions

  • Texas, 2008

Education

  • University of Houston Law Center, J.D., 2008
  • The University of Texas School of Law, Visiting Student, Spring 2008
  • Southwestern University, B.A. Political Science, 2002

Practice Areas