Abby Brown is a member of the firm’s environmental and natural resources team and water law practice group. Abby draws on her extensive transactional and litigation experience in water rights and real property issues to provide comprehensive yet practical legal services that support clients’ goals with a focus on sustainable results.
Capabilities
Biography
Abby is a member of Parsons Behle & Latimer’s environmental and natural resources team and the firm’s water law and real estate practice groups. She has more than a decade of experience representing a diverse range of water users, from small individual family farms to large irrigation districts, in water law and real property matters. Abby holds an L.L.M. in Water and Environmental Law from McGeorge School of Law, where she focused on contemporary water law and environmental issues facing the greater Intermountain West region.
In her water law practice, Abby represents water users through all stages of water rights adjudication proceedings in the Montana Water Court, water rights distribution and enforcement conflicts in state district courts and administrative permitting in state agencies.
Abby also concentrates her practice on real estate transactions, including water rights and real property due diligence investigations. Abby has particular experience with large-scale ranch transactions.
Experience
Defense Against Environmental Violations in Mining Industry
Served as legal counsel for a consultant mining company and its principal against state environmental agency allegations of violating mining reclamation laws. Representing two of five co-defendants in the case.
Defending Senior Water Rights in Montana's Bifurcated System
Served as legal counsel defending a senior 1912 water right against encroachment by a junior 1963 right holder in Montana state district court. This case navigates Montana's bifurcated water rights system, involving both the specialized Water Court and state district courts. The defense of this water right is crucial as it represents the client's sole irrigation and stockwater source for their property.
Defending Historic Water Rights in Montana General Adjudication
Served as legal counsel defending the validity of a 1912 water right against abandonment allegations by an upstream user with a 1963 claim. This general adjudication in the Missouri River Basin, initiated under federal and state law, is crucial for protecting the client's sole irrigation and stockwater right for their property.
Accomplishments
Academic
University of the Pacific—McGeorge Law School, L.L.M. in Water and Environmental Law (2021)
University of Montana Law School, J.D. with Honors (2010)
University of Montana, M.A., Intercultural Youth and Family Development (2006)
Northwestern University, B.S.Ed., in Education and Social Policy (2001)
Professional
Member, Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Comprehensive Water Review Stakeholder Working Group (2022 – 2025)
Voting Member, Water Adjudication Advisor Committee for the Montana Water Court (2021 - present)
Judicial Law Clerk, Retired Justice Patricia O. Cotter, Montana Supreme Court (2010 - 2011)
Associations
Professional
State Bar of Montana, Water and Natural Resources Law Sections, Co-founder of Water Law Section
Utah State Bar, Environmental and Women Lawyer Sections
Wyoming State Bar, Energy & Natural Resources Section
American Bar Association, Environment, Energy & Resources Section (SEER)
The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law formerly known as Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation
Community
YWCA Helena
Trust Montana
U.S. Peace Corps (Malawi, 2001-2003)
Insights
News
Parsons Behle & Latimer Proud to Sponsor 2025 Hunthausen Golf Classic Benefiting All Abilities Golf Academy
Presentation
Montana Water Court Adjudication in the Clark Fork Division
News
Parsons Behle & Latimer Helena Office Celebrates Grand Opening
News
Parsons Behle & Latimer Elects 10 New Shareholders to Support its Continued Growth
Articles
Presentations
Credentials
Licensed
Montana
U.S. Dist. Court, Dist. of Montana
Wyoming
Utah
Education
University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
University of Montana School of Law
