Marika E. Sitz

Associate

Marika E. Sitz

OVERVIEW

Born and raised in Eastern Oregon, Marika became aware of the importance of water at a young age while helping relatives raise and lower headgates on their ranch. Her interest in water and natural resource management continued during her time at Stanford University, where she focused a large portion of her studies on food and agriculture systems. Marika recognizes that water is a critical resource for people and the environment, especially in the American West, and she has dedicated her education, advocacy efforts, and practice to the world of western water law.

Water impacts people every day, but water law can be complex and overwhelming. Marika helps clients tackle all manner of water rights issues, navigate the Oregon water rights system, and understand water-related environmental concerns at the state and federal levels. She understands the importance of collaboration and uses her experience with Oregon water and agriculture issues to strategically approach problems and identify solutions.

After graduating from college, Marika remained in the Bay Area where she worked as a Program Associate at Stanford University’s Bill Lane Center for the American West. During her time at the Bill Lane Center, she had the opportunity to interact with scholars and researchers who were working on some of the West’s most notorious water issues through a program called “Water in the West.” After one year at the Bill Lane Center, she accepted an opportunity to return to her hometown of Pendleton, Oregon, and take the helm of the Oregon Water Coalition. In her role as coordinator, Marika gained a firsthand view of real-world, real-time water and agriculture issues. She worked with Water Coalition members and community members to expand the footprint of water education events. Once she had the lay of land and water outside of a courtroom and a classroom, Marika decided to attend law school to further her impact in the world of water law.

Her interest in the natural world extends beyond the office. She enjoys spending her free time backpacking, hiking, and rafting around the Pacific Northwest, particularly around her home region of Eastern Oregon.

Education

  • J.D., University of Oregon School of Law, 2021
  • B.A., Human Biology, concentration in Food and Agriculture Systems, Stanford University, 2015

Admissions

  • State of Oregon

Membership and Activities

  • Eastern Oregon Women’s Coalition, Board of Directors (2017-Present)
  • Oregon Water Resources Congress (2021-Present)
  • Oregon State Bar Environmental and Natural Resources Section Executive Committee (2022-Present)

Presentations

  • “Water Issues in Oregon,” Oregon Women for Agriculture, February 2022

RESOURCES

2022 Eastern Oregon Economic Summit

June 16, 2022

The Eastern Oregon Women’s Coalition is hosting the Summit which will include industry tours, speakers, and a series of discussion panels focused on regional economic updates, federal and state legislative updates, program and industry updates, and more.

READ MORE

Understanding the new climate rules

March 2, 2022

The Climate Protection Program (CPP), Oregon’s new regulatory program starting in 2022, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, achieve co-benefits from the reduction of other non-greenhouse gas air contaminants and improve the welfare of communities of color, tribal communities, communities experiencing lower incomes and rural communities. Attorney Marika E. Sitz explores the mechanics of the CPP and its potential impact on nurseries and other businesses in a recent article published by Digger Magazine.

READ MORE

Marika E. Sitz Joins Jordan Ramis as Associate Attorney

November 2, 2021

Jordan Ramis PC is pleased to announce Marika E. Sitz has joined the firm as an associate attorney, joining the firm’s Environmental and Natural Resources team.

READ MORE

Back to Top