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Phoenix, Arizona 85004
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Michael J. Pearce

Member

Education

  • J.D., University of Arizona, 1981
  • B.A., University of Michigan, 1978
  • Profile

Mike Pearce is a highly regarded water law attorney with more than three decades of experience in water rights, water management, and policy. As Chief Counsel for the Arizona Department of Water Resources (1995-2002), he played a pivotal role in the state’s water issues, and is known for his practical, results-driven approach to complex water allocation and transfer matters.

Mike Pearce is a Member at Gammage & Burnham, where his practice focuses on water rights, water management, and policy matters. Since 1989, Mike has represented clients in high-stakes water-related issues, including interstate litigation involving the Colorado River Basin, the Missouri River Basin, and the Apalachicola/Chattahoochee/Flint River Basin. He has also played a key role in Arizona’s general stream adjudications and the Assured Water Supply program, helping clients in various sectors—from municipalities to private developers—address complex water development, allocation, and transfer challenges.

Prior to joining Gammage & Burnham, Mike served as Chief Counsel for the Arizona Department of Water Resources (1995-2002), where he represented the State of Arizona in interstate and international water matters and managed the legal division of the Department. He also worked as a Director at Fennemore Craig, P.C., and was a founding member of Maguire, Pearce & Storey, where he continued his work in water law. Mike began his legal career in private practice, primarily focusing on banking transactions before transitioning to water law.

Mike graduated with distinction from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1981 and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, also earned with distinction. He is licensed to practice in Arizona, California, and before the United States Supreme Court, the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, as well as the Ninth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals.

An active participant in water policy discussions, Mike has written and spoken widely on water law topics. He has served on the Council of the American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, and has held leadership roles in the Arizona State Bar and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce’s Water and Natural Resources Policy Committee.

Outside of his legal practice, Mike enjoys flying, motorcycles, jukeboxes, and staying engaged with local water issues and policy initiatives. He is passionate about advocating for responsible water management practices in Arizona and beyond.