Maris Chambers
Overview
Maris Chambers focuses her practice on water and wastewater utility service interests, including certificates of convenience and necessity, water rights, water supply, and water quality.
She assists municipalities, utilities, landowners, and water districts with permitting, compliance, and enforcement before courts and state agencies, specifically with experience with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Public Utility Commission, and the State Office of Administrative Hearings. In addition, Maris provides general counsel services to water districts, water and wastewater utilities, and other political subdivisions.
Prior to entering private practice, Maris served as a legal intern with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, conducting research and drafting memoranda involving questions about the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the RESTORE Act, among other things. This notable experience allows her to understand all sides of relevant issues for her clients and often informs an ability to provide insight to clients on the legal tactics regulatory bodies employ.
Maris completed her undergraduate degree in environmental studies at Southern Methodist University and earned her Juris Doctor at the University of Oklahoma College of Law.
Credentials
Education
- University of Oklahoma College of Law (J.D.)
- Southern Methodist University (B.A.)
Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas
- Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, 2024-2025
- Austin Bar Association, Administrative Law Section, Vice-Chair
- Austin Bar Association, Environmental Law Section
- State Bar of Texas, Environmental and Natural Resources Section; Administrative Law Section; Public Utility Law Section
- Water Environment Association of Texas, Biosolids Management Committee
- “CCN Update,” Texas City Attorneys Association Summer Conference, August 2021
- “Lord Nuisance: A Creative Way to Address Certain Regulatory Complaints Outside of the TCEQ,” Water Environment Association of Texas Odor Regulatory Panel Discussion, May 2021
- “Texas Legislative Update,” 19th Annual Robert F. Pence Drinking Water Seminar, North Central Texas Chapter, Texas American Water Works Association, October 2020
- “Legislative / Regulatory Annual Update,” Industry Council on the Environment, Austin, Texas, November 2019
- “It’s Over, Now What? Water-Related Outcomes and Impacts of the 86th Texas Legislature,” 18th Annual Robert F. Pence Drinking Water Seminar, North Central Texas Chapter, Texas American Water Works Association, October 2019
- “Legislative / Regulatory Annual Update,” Industry Council on the Environment, Austin, Texas, November 2018
- “Texas Legislative Update,” 17th Annual Robert F. Pence Drinking Water Seminar, North Central Texas Chapter, Texas American Water Works Association, Fort Worth, Texas, October 2018
- “Videoconferencing Board Meetings Under the Texas Open Meetings Act – Benefit or Burden?” Capital Area Suburban Exchange (CASE) Annual Conference, South Padre Island, Texas, June 2018