Monica M. Jacobs

Monica Jacobs is a partner in PLG's Water Law practice. For more than twenty-five years, she has advised landowners, industrial users, energy companies, developers, investors, governmental entities and other stakeholders on complex water rights, water supply, water reuse and related natural resource matters throughout Texas. Her practice focuses on helping clients secure, protect, manage, and maximize the value of both surface water and groundwater assets while navigating an evolving regulatory and policy landscape.

Drawing on extensive experience in water resource planning, permitting, transactions, and litigation, Monica counsels clients on strategic water supply development, groundwater and surface water rights management, project development, agency rulemaking, regulatory compliance, and long-term resource planning. She regularly advises clients on water rights acquisitions, sales, leases, due diligence, permitting, enforcement matters, and infrastructure projects, helping organizations align water resource strategies with broader business, operational, and investment objectives.

Monica is also a seasoned advocate in contested administrative proceedings and related litigation. She has served as first-chair counsel in numerous complex matters before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) involving surface water rights, including direct and indirect reuse, enforcement actions, and the development of major projects based on the effective use and management of groundwater resources. Her experience spans all phases of administrative and regulatory proceedings, from project development and permitting through evidentiary hearings, appeals, and judicial review.

In addition to her work regarding long-term strategic water planning and asset management, Monica provides clients with a unique perspective on the intersection of law, regulation, business strategy, and public policy. She represents clients by working extensively with legislative, regulatory, and industry stakeholders on issues affecting surface water and groundwater management, resource development, and a variety of legislative initiatives. As both a Texas water law expert and a registered lobbyist, Monica often provides technical support for client lobby teams by drafting proposed water-related legislation and supporting policy materials, providing specialized advice regarding the potential impacts of legislation proposed by other stakeholders, and as an active member of key legislative stakeholder groups that continue to help shape the state's evolving water law framework.

Representative Experience

• Routinely counsels clients on complex water issues arising in large land transactions, estate planning matters, ranch operations, and natural resource development projects.
• Advises clients regarding matters involving direct and indirect water reuse and use of brackish water resources.
• Advises clients, industry groups, and stakeholders on legislative and regulatory developments affecting Texas water law and policy, including groundwater management, water rights, and resource development initiatives.
• Represented various clients in the acquisition, sale, lease, reservation, and long-term management of surface water and groundwater rights assets, including due diligence and permitting matters.
• Advised landowner regarding the permitting at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) of a series of large lakes located on private ranch land.
• Lead counsel representing large landowner in U.S. Army Corps enforcement action regarding construction of instream lake, delineation, mitigation measures and permitting.
• Represented major Texas municipalities in various types of surface water permitting, including indirect reuse projects.
• Represented utility owned by the French government regarding permit amendments reflecting the successful groundwater restoration of a large Texas industrial site.
• Led team representing a private-equity-backed midstream energy company in the approximately $500 million acquisition of groundwater assets and related water rights in the Permian Basin.
• Guided original board of grassroots landowner group in establishing a credible presence in regional planning, ongoing water rights-related negotiations, and at the Texas Legislature.
• Negotiated and drafted numerous long-term and short-term water supply, water disposal, and water rights agreements for municipalities, power generation facilities, industrial users, and energy-sector clients.
• Represented clients in regulatory investigations, enforcement proceedings, and litigation involving water rights, water supply, groundwater contamination claims, and related environmental issues.
• First-chaired numerous contested administrative proceedings before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality involving surface water permitting, environmental permitting, landfill development, mining operations, injection wells, aquifer exemptions, and water-related enforcement actions, obtaining favorable outcomes for clients.