Celebrating 20 Years and a New Beginning: Tara Lomacz Begins Her Law School Journey

A Milestone Worth Celebrating

This month marks a major milestone for Tara Lomacz (née Tara Jackson). She is celebrating 20 years with Schroeder Law Offices, PC. Tara began her career as an administrative assistant and grew into the role of senior paralegal. Now, she is taking a bold step forward—starting law school.

A Dream Years in the Making

Tara has spent nearly two years preparing for this moment. She recently enrolled in Vermont Law and Graduate School’s Hybrid JD program. This ABA-accredited program allows her to continue working half-time at Schroeder Law Offices while attending classes and completing coursework in the afternoons and evenings.

The program blends online learning with short in-person residencies. It’s designed for professionals who want to earn a law degree without leaving their careers or communities.

Rooted in Justice and Fairness

Tara’s journey toward law school began long before her application. Even as a child, she had a strong sense of fairness. She was known for insisting on equal treatment among her siblings. That passion led her to mock trial in high school and political theory in college.

After graduating from Willamette University, Tara followed her father’s advice and joined a law office to see if legal practice was the right fit. It was. Her work at Schroeder Law Offices confirmed her calling.

A Deep Connection to Agriculture and Water Law

At Schroeder, Tara discovered a new world—agriculture and rural water rights. She learned about the challenges faced by farmers and small communities. Over time, she became deeply involved in organizations like Oregon Women for Agriculture and the Oregon Groundwater Association.

Her work has included securing water rights for farms, helping communities navigate infrastructure issues, and supporting legal efforts that protect access to natural resources.

Balancing Work, School, and Family

Transitioning to part-time work is bittersweet for Tara. Her identity is closely tied to her role at Schroeder Law Offices. Stepping back is difficult, but necessary.

She is also a mother to a vibrant three-year-old daughter. Motherhood has taught her the importance of boundaries and balance. Law school will challenge her to protect her time and energy—for her studies, her family, and herself.

A Lesson for Her Daughter

Tara’s decision to pursue law school is inspired by her daughter. She wants to show that growth and change are always possible. Her goal is to model resilience and lifelong learning.

She hopes her journey from paralegal to attorney will teach her daughter that it’s never too late to chase a dream.

Support from Schroeder Law Offices

Tara is grateful for the support she’s received from Schroeder Law Offices. The firm is providing financial assistance and continued encouragement. She plans to return as an attorney after completing her degree.

Her legal education will strengthen her ability to serve the firm’s clients and expand her impact in water and agricultural law.

Looking Ahead

Vermont Law and Graduate School offers specializations in water resources and food and agricultural law. These areas align perfectly with Tara’s experience and passion.

She believes that access to legal representation is vital for preserving rural communities. As an attorney, she plans to continue offering affordable, specialized legal services to those who need them most.

A New Chapter Begins

Tara Lomacz’s story is one of growth, purpose, and courage. As she begins law school, she carries with her the lessons of the past 20 years and the excitement of what lies ahead.

Her journey is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to evolve, learn, and pursue a dream.

Schroeder Law Offices proudly announces the promotion of Caitlin Skulan to Partner—a milestone that marks her six years of exceptional dedication, legal acumen, and leadership in the field of water law. Caitlin’s journey from a passionate law school graduate to a respected attorney and now Partner is a testament to her unwavering commitment to the firm’s mission and the communities it serves.

A Foundation Rooted in Water and Rural Life

Caitlin’s story begins in Northern Wisconsin, where she grew up on the shores of Lake Superior in a community deeply connected to agriculture and natural resources. Her early experiences on her family’s small farm and in the surrounding rural landscape instilled a lifelong appreciation for water and the people who depend on it. This passion led her to Northland College, where in 2016 she earned a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Science, graduating cum laude and receiving multiple scholarships for her academic excellence and environmental leadership.

Her undergraduate studies focused heavily on water sciences—hydrology, limnology, ichthyology, and wetland ecosystems—laying the groundwork for a career that would bridge science, law, and advocacy.

A Legal Career Built on Purpose

After moving to Oregon to attend law school at Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College, Caitlin Skulan began her legal journey by engaging with water quality issues in agricultural contexts. She worked with the Washington Farm Bureau Attorneys and later at The Freshwater Trust in Portland, where she helped secure funding for cooperative agricultural water conservation projects. These efforts aimed to modernize irrigation systems, improve water use efficiency, and enhance fish habitats—all while minimizing costs for farmers.

In 2019, Caitlin earned her Juris Doctorate and Certificate in Natural Resource and Environmental Law from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College. Her academic achievements included leadership roles in the Student Bar Association and the Public Interest Law Project, as well as recognition through the Dean’s Scholarship and the DuBoff Jones Endowed Scholarship.

Joining Schroeder Law Offices

Caitlin Skulan joined Schroeder Law Offices in August 2019, immediately bringing her expertise and enthusiasm to the Reno, Nevada office. Her decision to work in a boutique firm aligned with her desire for a close-knit, supportive environment where she could make a meaningful impact. Over the years, Caitlin has become a cornerstone of the firm’s water law practice, handling complex matters across agricultural, municipal, and irrigation district water use permitting, groundwater interference, public lands, and litigation.

She is admitted to practice in Nevada, Idaho, the Federal District Courts of both states, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals—an impressive credential list that reflects her broad legal reach and capability.

A Voice in the Water Law Community

Beyond her casework, Caitlin has contributed extensively to Schroeder Law Offices’ blog and public education efforts. Her writing spans topics such as corner crossing legal disputes, water quality regulations, rural homeownership challenges, and youth agricultural programs. Her ability to translate complex legal issues into accessible insights has made her a trusted voice in the water law community.

Caitlin has also led webinars and legislative updates, sharing her knowledge with water system operators and stakeholders across the region. Her work consistently reflects a deep understanding of the intersection between law, environment, and rural livelihoods.

A Life of Balance and Curiosity

Outside the office, Caitlin Skulan lives on a small farm where she enjoys gardening, cooking, and spending time with her family and dogs. Her love for travel is matched by her curiosity about global agricultural practices—whether visiting lemon orchards on the Amalfi Coast, vineyards in Tuscany, or regenerative farms in Hawaii. These experiences enrich her perspective and reinforce her commitment to sustainable resource management.

Looking Ahead

As Caitlin steps into her new role as Partner, Schroeder Law Offices celebrates not only her professional achievements but also the values she embodies: integrity, empathy, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Her promotion is a reflection of her leadership, her contributions to the firm’s growth, and her impact on clients and colleagues alike.

Congratulations, Caitlin Skulan, on this well-deserved recognition. We look forward to the continued evolution of your career and the many ways you will shape the future of water law.

At Schroeder Law Offices we are dedicated to providing exceptional service to our clients. Leveraging advanced technology like TABS3, NetDocuments, Zoom, and Microsoft 365 helps us achieve this goal. They streamline our operations and enhance client satisfaction.

TABS3: Leveraging Technology in Practice Management

TABS3 is a comprehensive practice management software that benefits clients in several ways:

• Efficient Billing and Accounting: Automated billing cycles and detailed financial reports ensure transparency and accuracy. You always know where your case stands financially.
• Accurate Time Tracking: We meticulously track every billable hour, ensuring fair and accurate billing for the time dedicated to your case.
• Organized Case Management: TABS3 centralizes all case-related information, allowing us to manage your case files, deadlines, and communications efficiently.

NetDocuments: Leveraging Technology in Document Management

NetDocuments is our go-to solution for managing legal documents securely and efficiently:

• Secure Cloud Storage: Your documents are stored securely in the cloud, making them accessible from anywhere, which is valuable for remote consultations and collaboration.
• Robust Security and Compliance: NetDocuments protects your sensitive information with top-notch encryption and access controls, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
• Seamless Collaboration: Our team can collaborate on documents in real-time, leading to faster turnaround times and reduced risk of errors.
• Quick Document Retrieval: Advanced search capabilities allow us to locate your documents quickly, ensuring prompt responses to your needs.

Zoom: Leveraging Technology for Remote Consultations

Zoom enables us to connect with you no matter where you are:

• Virtual Meetings: We can hold virtual consultations, making it convenient for you to discuss your case without needing to travel.
• Secure Communication: Zoom provides secure, encrypted communication, ensuring your privacy during our meetings.
• Flexibility: Whether you’re at home or on the go, Zoom allows us to stay connected and keep you updated on your case.
• Integrated Phone, Meetings and Webinars: Zoom handles all our voice and video from internal and external phone calls to client meetings to webinars.

Microsoft 365: Leveraging Technology for Productivity and Collaboration

Microsoft 365 is an essential tool for our daily operations:

• Email Management: Outlook integrates seamlessly with NetDocuments so that we can manage our communications efficiently, ensuring timely responses and organized email history.
• Document Creation and Sharing: Tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint allow us to create, edit, and share documents.

Conclusion

At Schroeder Law Offices embracing technology is essential to delivering the best possible service to our clients. TABS3, NetDocuments, Zoom, and Microsoft 365 are just a few examples of how we leverage advanced tools to manage our practice more effectively. By using these technologies, we can focus on what we do best—advocating for you and achieving the best outcomes for your legal matters.

Thank you for trusting us with your legal needs. If you have any questions about how we use technology to your benefit please call or email.

Wetlands delineation and the Clean Water Act have come into focus again.

You may be about to invest in cleaning ditches or drains, or raising or deepening your reservoir or pond. Before you do, participate in this webinar to

• Learn how to identify potential development issues related to Clean Water Act jurisdiction, the agricultural exemption, the agencies involved in making determinations and their legal powers to levy fines.
• Learn why a wetlands delineation maybe required, and the steps a professional consultant undertakes in making wetland determinations.
• Learn what mitigation techniques are available in the event wetlands issues are hindering your activities.

Laura Schroeder and Therese Ure Stix together with Andrea Rabe of Rabe Consulting will present an hour long webinar to address these issues. The Webinar is scheduled for Tuesday, September 14. it will start at noon, pacific time.

You must register in advance here.

This live webinar is the most recent of 21 webinars presented during 2020 and 2021. We have dubbed the current series  the “Vaccine” series in view of our ongoing fight with COVID. You can watch recordings of all 20 previous webinars here.

Visit our site to learn more about Oregon Water Law or Nevada Water Law.

Winter storage for use throughout the year may still be a viable option with surface water and hydrologically connected groundwater oftentimes unavailable for new permitting. It could be more important than ever during periods of prolonged drought!  

Laura Schroeder and Sarah Liljefelt will present a free, hour-long webinar on Tuesday, August 3rd, from noon to 1:00 PM, Pacific Time.

In this webinar you will learn about the roadblocks to developing surface water and hydraulically connected groundwater, and how to determine if water is available for winter storage. Then we will address the dual permitting process, how to optimize the storage location, and obtaining necessary flood easements. Finally, we will discuss what is involved in sharing storage by contractual arrangement.

There will be live Q&A. Questions will also be accepted in advance from registrants by email to Brittany Jesek b.jesek@water-law.com

Please register in advance for the new webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/2616261961273/WN_CNx3ZdMBRf62SXFmD80EMw

We will then send you a link to the actual webinar.

This new topic is the fourth of our “VACCINE” webinar series. It follows upon last spring’s popular “COVID” webinar series. You can view recordings of our prior webinars at   Water Right Video Handbook or Guide.  

Also, stay tuned for additional upcoming topics:

• Tuesday, September 14—Due Diligence for Canal, Pond, and Drainage Maintenance: Wetlands Delineation.
• Tuesday, October 19—How to Change or Remove an Easement (Ditch, Road, Well Share) from Real Estate.
• Tuesday, November 9—Should or Can You Take Stormwater Into Your Existing System?

We look forward to having you with us next Tuesday!

If you didn’t take our earlier advice or purchased a home where the developer put you on a shared well under an exemption then you are likely having or will have issues. Even if you are related to the other homeowner(s)!  And even if you are under an exemption which is allowed in Oregon (15,000 gallons group domestic), Washington (5,000 gallons group domestic), and  Idaho (13,000 gallons total exempt use), Webinar #3 in our 2021 Vaccine Series, Terms to Put in a Well Share Agreement, is for you. You can view a recorded version of this webinar here.

Dust off your well share agreement and/or easement. Bring Questions even if you don’t have one at all. Attend the one hour free webinar on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 Pacific to obtain tips on why a well share agreement and easement is necessary, what terms should be included, and how to negotiate them.  Attorney Laura Schroeder will also explain why drilling your own well and abandoning the well share agreement to extinguish the easement might be your best alternative.  There will be live Q&A with questions also accepted in advance from registrants by email to Brittany Jesek b.jesek@water-law.com 

You can view all of our past webinars at Water Right Video Handbook or Guide – Schroeder Law Offices (water-law.com)

Announcement: Oregon Realtors’ Water Right Training Webinar (for credit!)

The Polk County Association of Realtors has teamed up with Schroeder Law Offices for a webcast to Oregon Realtors regarding water rights and initial disclosures related to water! The webinar airs this Thursday, June 18, 2020 at 11:30 AM. Click here to register. The webinar will provide CE credits for those that attend, but registration is available for anyone interested in real estate transactions involving water rights.

First, attendees learn the basics of Oregon’s water code and general information realtors can use to assist their clients. Next, the webinar presents easements and agreements particular to water-related properties. Panelists review the basics of conducting online water right research and the key issues to watch for. Finally, the webinar outlines ORS 105.464 initial disclosures and how to answer questions related to water use! Generally topics include:

• Oregon water law basics
  • Licenses, permits, and certificates
  • Exempt uses
• Researching water use rights online
  • Locating water rights and documents
• Water-related easements
  • Types of easements and agreements for water delivery
• ORS 105.464 Initial Disclosures
  • How to answer initial disclosures
• Key issues in water-related property sales

If you would like CE credits, please contact our office for a certificate, only possible for live attendance during the event. If you have any issues with registration or viewing the webinars, please contact Scott Borison at: scott@water-law.com.

This presentation is 10th in a series. To view recordings of past events see https://water-law.com/webinars.

Schroeder Law Offices is working with COVID-19.

All of us at Schroeder Law Offices are equipped to work in the office, at home, or anywhere. Now we have relaxed our work at home policy. Some of us are well established in our home offices. Consequently, anyone or everyone can continue their work even in the face of quarantine or social isolation during this difficult time.

At Schroeder Law Offices we have long seen the benefits of technology. First of all, we digitize everything that comes into or leaves our office.  Moreover, we have been storing all client related material under the Worldox document management system since 2005. We use TABS3 Practicemaster for all our case management activities. Through technology our attorneys and staff can use Remote Desktop to access what they need anytime.  They can connect with our systems in the office from home or away 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are all working with COVID-19.

As a result the COVID-19 situation has not impacted our ability to stay immediately prepared to meet water law issues.  Now, with innovative use of Office 365 and the new and evolving Microsoft TEAMS platform we can enjoy office meetings and client meetings with a nearly face to face experience even when we are far apart.

Our teams have and will continue to have the option to work remotely, access client files, and meet with clients from anywhere on the globe. Laura Schroeder has shown this many times from such faraway places as Kabul, Afghanistan or Yerevan, Armenia.

Right now is a perfect time for Schroeder Law Offices to work on your water law needs.

Oregon State University’s Family Business 360 Series for 2019-2020 will feature Laura Schroeder in a webinar on February 20, 2020. The webinar will have two parts. 

The first is an introduction to water rights drawing on Laura’s nearly 30 years’ experience as an Oregon water lawyer.

The second part addresses Due Diligence for Sellers and Buyers. This second part includes researching water rights associated with a property; assessing current use and status of water rights; and identifying related water rights.

You can watch this fast paced webinar at noon on Thursday, February 20, 2020. It is free to watch and open to the public. To watch it you must sign up here to receive a link to the presentation. Just scroll down to the February 20 webinar here, click the link and fill out the form. After you sign up the program manager will send your link to the webinar via email during the week of February 17.

The city of Anacortes, WA, is making news by running part of its new fiber optic cable network through its water system.

Brown and Caldwell’s Water News for September 25, 2019, links to a report by KUOW News: “Wifi wires will run through water pipes in northern Washington town.” This “first in North America” system, according to Fred Buckenmeyer, Director of Public Works for Anacortes, has already connected Anacortes with neighboring city, Mt. Vernon.

Richard Walker, of goanacortes.com, writes: “installation of the first fiber optic cable began April 8, using a method commonly used in Europe … using conduit installed in active water lines.” According to KUOW’s report, the internet tube is encased in the same plastic as the water pipe.

Buckenmeyer continues, “Like having a water pipe inside a water pipe. No chance of contamination or anything like that.”

It is also being touted as a way to reduce costs such as eliminating the need to dig under Washington State’s Skagit River, the Swinomish Slough and “15 miles of farms, wetlands, streets and sidewalks along the way.”

Jacqueline Allison, also of goanacortes.com, writes that this is intended to provide a fiber optic telemetry enabling communication between fire stations, water stations and other city facilities.

The city will sell the unused broadband capacity to consumers as part of a municipal wifi network. Interest in connecting to this growing network has already been expressed by Island Hospital in Anacortes, and Western Washington University in Bellingham, among others. The city is hoping to entice customers from commercial internet providers. According to project manager Jim Lemberg, if they can capture a third of the commercial market, the project will “pay for itself in 15 years.”

Stay tuned to Schroeder Law Office blog for water law and water updates all year long.

Beginning Tuesday, September 3, Schroeder Law Offices, P.C., resumes regular office hours:

Monday through Friday
8:00 am – 5:00 p.m.

Schroeder Law will be closed, Monday, September 2, to observe Labor Day.

This summer we experimented with a nine day rotation, Monday through the next Thursday, 7:30 am – 5:30 pm. The tenth day, every other Friday, either the Reno or Portland office was closed covering work for the other office alternatively.

In an emergency, please phone or email your attorney directly. Our goal is to return your call or email within 24 hours.

Schroeder Law Offices, P.C. is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Reno Mustangs’ Co-Ed “D” Softball team’s trip to the ASA National Softball Tournament being held in Portland Oregon. The Reno Mustangs are a tournament softball team that enjoy spending their weekends playing in tournaments to help support local charities and those in need. Those playing in the National Tournament include Schroeder Law Offices own Therese Ure, captain Kevin Jones, manager Chrissy Rodriguez, and teammates Scott, Vince, Mike, Keith, Dave, Emily, Dayna, Courtney and Elli.

The tournament will be held at Portland’s William V. Owens Softball Complex (East Delta Park). The Mustangs first game will be Saturday August 28, 2010 at 10:15 AM!

For more tournament information, see the Washington State ASA web site.

Now you can follow Schroeder Law Offices on Just click on the logo!

Laura Schroeder will present her popular “Water Rights Bootcamp” on JUNE 2 in Sisters, Oregon. This presentation will be an educational seminar suitable for all with and interest and concern for water rights in Oregon. For details and an agenda see the Schroeder Law Offices web site.

Schroeder Law Attorneys Schroeder and Ure as members of the executive committee for the Nevada Environmental and Natural Resources Section as well as Schroeder Law Administrator Scott Borison assisted in planning and participated in the First Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony and reception for former Director of Conservation and Natural Resources Allen Biaggi on May 4, 2010. The reception was hosted by the Lionel Sawyer & Collins Reno office where Mr.. Biaggi, who retired on April 30, 2010, was recognized for more than 30 years of state service.

The Director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently announced the appointment of Acting State Engineer Jason King to the position of State Engineer.  Mr. King has spent more than 19 years with the Division of Water Resources.  A press release from the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on this appointment is available here.

As we reported in early February, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) has released a Water Quality Management Plan for the Upper Klamath and Lost River Subbasins for public review and comment.

Due to ongoing drought conditions in the Klamath Basin, DEQ has extended the public comment period by 45 days to May 27, 2010. Additionally, DEQ announced that a public hearing is scheduled for 6 PM on May 12, 2010 at the Oregon Institute of Technology, College Union Auditorium, in Klamath Falls.  More information on the Water Quality Management Plan or Comment Period Extension is available on the DEQ website.

On January 28, 2010, the Nevada Supreme Court issued its opinion in the matter of Great Basin Water Network, et al. v. State Engineer and Southern Nevada Water Authority, wherein the Court determined that the State Engineer had violated the statutory duty under NRS § 533.370(2), which requires that the State Engineer approve or reject any application made prior to the 2003 legislative amendments within 1 year after the final date for filing a protest. Subsequently, the Nevada Legislature issued a Motion to Express Legislative Intent during a Special Session indicating that the resolution of the issues raised in Great Basin Water Network is of critical importance.

On March 16, 2010 the State Engineer held a workshop to consider possible amendments to Nevada water law to address the issues raised in Great Basin Water Network including (1) the protection of existing water rights, (2) the status of pending applications, (3) the preservation of priorities, and (4) the application of the protest period provisions. The State Engineer has posted written comments filed during the workshop along with suggested language to address the issues raised on the workshop webpage.

The State Engineer will accept proposed amendments that address the issues raised in Great Basin Water Network until Friday, March 26, 2010. Any proposed amendments will be posted on the workshop webpage, and comments to the proposed amendments will be accepted until Friday, April 2, 2010.

For more information, including links to the Supreme Court decision and the Legislature’s motion, visit the workshop webpage.

The Source Water Collaborative (“SWC”) is a group comprised of federal, state and local partners working to protect the source of America’s drinking water in lakes, rivers, streams and aquifers.  The SWC recently launched a new tool, “Your Water Your Decision” designed to help organizations and communities highlight their specific water protection needs to local officials and decision makers by creating an original guide containing specific content, photos, contacts and resources for the community or region.

You can learn more at www.yourwateryourdecision.org.

The DEQ has determined that certain stream segments in the Upper Klamath and Lost River subbasins do not meet state water quality standards.  DEQ has identified water quality problems associated with temperature, nitrogen, phosphorus and biochemical oxygen demand, or “BOD.”  Under the guides of the Federal Clean Water Act, the DEQ has developed a plan to improve water quality by establishing Total Maximum Daily Load (“TMDL”) limits and a Water Quality Management Plan (“WQMP”) for the subbasins.

DEQ released this plan for public review and is currently requesting public comments on the plan.  Additionally, DEQ has scheduled a public meeting on March 16, 2010 at the Klamath Basin Extension Center in Klamath Falls and invites interested members of the public and local government agencies to attend.  The agency will accept public comment on the DRAFT Upper Klamath and Lost River Subbasins Total Maximum Daily Load and Water Quality Management Plan until April 12, 2010.  DEQ has also released a two page fact sheet for public review.

For more information you can contact Steve Kirk, DEQ’s Klamath Basin Coordinator at (541) 633-2023 or at kirk.steve@deq.state.or.us.