Arizona Hires Trump’s Law Firm as Colorado River Water Wars Intensify

Arizona officials have retained outside legal counsel as the state prepares for potential litigation over the future allocation of Colorado River water, according to multiple reports.

As reported by the Arizona Daily Star, the selected law firm, Sullivan & Cromwell, has experience in high-level federal litigation, including matters that could reach the U.S. Supreme Court. 

The firm also currently represents President Donald Trump in his New York appeal related to business records charges, with the firm’s co-chair, Robert Giuffra, leading the President’s legal team, the outlet reported.

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) has engaged the law firm to represent the state in anticipated disputes tied to ongoing multistate negotiations over river management. 

State leaders indicated the move is a precautionary step as negotiations among the seven Colorado River Basin states continue without a finalized long-term agreement. The current operating guidelines governing river allocations are set to expire in 2026, increasing the likelihood of legal challenges if consensus is not reached. 

The California Globe has previously reported that in spite of over two years of tense negotiations, the seven states of the Colorado River Basin have remained in a steady deadlock on pivotal issues such as how to spread withdrawal reductions equitably across Upper and Lower Basin states; how to operate Lake Powell and Lake Mead, the system’s largest and most imperiled reservoirs; and how to integrate tribal nations into any new framework. 

The Upper Basin states, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico, are obligated to deliver water to the Lower Basin states, Arizona, California, and Nevada, as well as Mexico, under the 1922 Colorado River Compact, but chronic overuse and long-term drought have drained the system to historic lows.

According to reporting by KUNC, the exact nature of any potential lawsuit remains unclear and will depend on the outcome of negotiations between states and the federal government. Arizona officials said discussions with federal agencies and other basin states are ongoing. 

The hiring follows earlier actions by Arizona lawmakers to allocate funding for potential Colorado River litigation. Legislators previously set aside several million dollars for legal expenses and are considering additional funding in the current budget cycle. 

In a statement to Arizona Public Media in late March on the firm’s hiring, Hobbs’ spokesman Christian Slater said, “Governor Hobbs is committed to working with the federal government and other Colorado River states to deliver a negotiated settlement that protects Arizona’s fair share of water and stabilizes the system. However, it’s critical that Arizona be prepared to defend ourselves in court if an agreement cannot be reached or the Law of the River is violated.”

State officials have said the firm could represent Arizona in proceedings before the U.S. Department of the Interior or in federal court, depending on how disputes over water allocations develop. 

The move comes as water levels across the Colorado River system remain under pressure from prolonged drought, declining snowpack, and increased demand, raising concerns about future supply and triggering intensified negotiations among Western states. 

Arizona’s residents, agriculture, industries, and municipalities rely heavily on Colorado River water, making the outcome of negotiations critical for users across the state.