Parsons Behle & Latimer

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

Recognized in Chambers USA, Natural Resources & Environment, 2026

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

Parsons Behle & Latimer Ranked Among Top Law Firms by Chambers and Partners USA: Thirty-one Attorneys Ranked Among Nation’s Top Practitioners

Parsons Behle & Latimer Proud to Sponsor 2025 Hunthausen Golf Classic Benefiting All Abilities Golf Academy

Montana Water Court Adjudication in the Clark Fork Division

Parsons Behle & Latimer Helena Office Celebrates Grand Opening

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