Georgia's new top water wars lawyer

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – A possible conflict of interest has forced Georgia to replace its top lawyer in its ongoing legal fight with Alabama and Florida over water.

However, the change could be good.

WABE's Charles Edwards reports

Georgia hired Paul Clement to lead its appeal of a federal judge's decision that Georgia has been illegally taking water from Lanier.

However, Clement represented the Army Corps of Engineers when he was U.S. solicitor general. The Army Corps is one party to the water wars appeal.

The state's new water lawyer is Seth Waxman. He too was a solicitor general. But Clement, who has strong Republican ties, was appointed by George W. Bush. Bill Clinton appointed Waxman. And that could be a good thing according to WABE legal analyst

PATE: "Maybe by having a lawyer with strong ties to the Democratic party, the state of Georgia will be able to have a good audience with both Congress and with the administration."

With the White House and Congress under Democratic control, Pate says Waxman could help Georgia get its fair share of water if the legal dispute is settled by Congress.

Charles Edwards, WABE News.