Stephen W. Downey, California Water and Power Attorney

Downey, Stephen W.

INTRODUCTION Since 1909, Stephen W. Downey has been engaged in legal work in Sacramento. Beginning primarily as a personal injury and criminal lawyer, he advanced through a series of positions with various public districts concerned with water and electric power to eminence as one of the leading water attorneys in the state. His work with public districts brought him into issues involving public vs. private water interests, the relations between local districts and the state and federal governments, and public districts vs. public utilities. And because water is at the heart of California's economy, Sacramento is the capital of the state, and his brother, Sheridan Downey, was United Sties Senator from California, Stephen Downey, though essentially nonpartisan, was close to state politics. Mr. Downey, slight, white-haired, quick-moving, was 71 years old at the time the...