PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Tamara “Tammy” Thiel began working for Taggart & Taggart in 2008 as a paralegal, and continued working for Taggart & Taggart while attending law school at night. Tammy graduated as Salutatorian for the evening division and received her Juris Doctor degree at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, with an Environmental Law Concentration, in May 2020. During her time at McGeorge School of law, she received the Witkin Award for Academic excellence seven times, and was on the Dean’s List every semester. Tammy is a member of the Order of the Coif, having graduated in the top ten percent of the graduating class.
Tammy was admitted to the State Bar of Nevada in October 2020. Tammy is now a Partner at Taggart & Taggart.
Prior to joining Taggart & Taggart in 2008, Tammy was previously the Director of Operations in the Water Rights Department at Resource Management and Development Inc., in Reno, Nevada, and a water rights technician at TEC 1, Inc.
Tammy is a life-long Nevadan, born in Carson City, Nevada. Tammy grew up on a small horse ranch outside of Gardnerville, Nevada, and she now lives in Sparks, Nevada. Both of her parents dedicated their careers to water resource management in Nevada.
WATER RIGHTS & NATURAL RESOURCES
Tammy has extensive experience in water rights matters. Tammy has been working in the field of water rights since 1997. She has been qualified as an expert in Nevada water title before the Nevada State Engineer in 2015, and has researched, reviewed, and filed thousands of reports of conveyance for water rights across the state.
Tammy represents clients in adjudication matters relating to the determination of vested water rights, performing due diligence of land and water transactions, drafting opinion letters, permitting and regulatory compliance on water rights issues, administrative proceedings at the State Engineer’s office, mitigation plans and permitting, and appeals of administrative decisions. Tammy has provided research and support on ditch easement issues, and worked with irrigation companies relating to title, stock, and changes in water use. She has experience with water rights dedications for development with water municipalities, and effluent water re-use permitting. Tammy has worked on permitting and other water right filing to provide snowmaking use at several local ski resorts. Tammy also has extensive work in stockwater rights on federal and state range lands, including vested rights research, title, and permitting. Tammy is also familiar with mining claim filing and maintenance.
REAL ESTATE & LAND USE
Tammy assists clients with real estate transactions including reviewing and drafting purchase and sale agreements; reviewing and drafting deeds, leases, options, and easements; performing due diligence; drafting opinion letters; and reviewing closing documents. She also has experience in quiet title actions and enforcement of property rights. Tammy has experience with renewable energy leases and easements.
LITIGATION
Tammy assists clients with handling all aspects of general civil litigation at both the trial and appellate court stages. Tammy assists clients with handling all aspects of administrative agency appeals and enforcement actions.
GENERAL
Tammy also provides general legal support, and has assisted in probate matters, trusts, business entity filings, some family law matters, and contracts.
Tammy also assists corporate clients, provides registered agent services, and assists in governmental compliance for business registration and maintenance.
Tammy is listed with the Nevada Legal Services to provide pro bono work to give back to the community and help those in need. She takes at least one pro bono case a year.
EDUCATION
Tammy received her Juris Doctor degree at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, with an Environmental Law Concentration, in May 2020. Tammy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a minor in mathematics, in December 2003.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Witkin Award for Academic Excellence for Global Lawyering Skills I (Fall 2016), Contracts (Fall 2017), Water Resource Law (Spring2018), Evidence (Fall 2018), Environmental Practice (Spring 2019), Transnational Litigation (Spring 2019) and Professional Responsibility (Fall 2019)
- Order of the Coif, May 2020
- JD Salutatorian, Evening Division
- Expert Witness in Water Right Title, qualified before the Nevada State Engineer 2015
- Secretary of the Environmental & Natural Resources Law Section of the Nevada State Bar
- Registered Notary Public
PRESENTATIONS
Tammy has presented several continuing education courses and seminars in water rights regulation and easement law, including:
- August 22, 2023 – Presentation on Understanding Nevada Surface Water and Groundwater Rights hosted by Halfmoon Education Live Continuing Education.
- July 28, 2023 – Presentation on Vested Water Rights – Current Issues and Strategies hosted by the First Judicial District Bar Association.
- April 14, 2023 – Presentation on Nevada Land and Water Law – Ownership and Access hosted by Halfmoon Education Live Continuing Education.
Tammy’s interests include all things relating to water, music, art, and pinball.