Partner and Director of Government Affairs
Ana D. Schwab
Ana Schwab operates at the nexus of law, policy, funding, and regulation to advance and protect her clients’ goals. She represents local communities, special districts, and other public and private stakeholders on matters involving water, wastewater, environmental compliance, infrastructure, and disaster mitigation, response, and recovery. Ana helps clients unlock government partnerships and programs to advance innovation in water, wastewater, natural resources, water quality, and infrastructure in the U.S. and internationally.
Integrating government, legal, and advocacy experience and relationships, Ana partners with clients through every stage of the federal funding lifecycle, including:
- Tracking, advancing, and shaping legislative and regulatory language to safeguard client priorities
- Engaging with federal agencies, including the Departments of State, Commerce, and Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency
- Ensuring compliance with complex of federal contracting requirements across the public and private sectors
She fluently translates government requirements into actionable strategies, allowing clients to focus on delivering effective solutions for their constituents and stakeholders.
Ana’s work has been instrumental in the passage or amendment of legislation on issues including land transfers, water, and infrastructure funding and regulation. She secures federal funding for water, wastewater, and recycling projects, and collaborates with stakeholders on funding and infrastructure solutions for cross-border water pollution. Blending legal insight with strategic advocacy, Ana cuts through regulatory complexity to help clients manage natural resources, environmental compliance, permitting and federal grant implementation.
Before joining Best Best & Krieger LLP, Ana served as a legislative coordinator and legislative assistant at two national law firms. She also served as professional staff for two members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
- International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA), President's Award, Outstanding Associate Member, 2025
- International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA), Amicus Service Award, 2025
- DCA Live, Emerging Women Leaders in Law, 2024
- International Bar Association, Officer, Water Law Committee
- National Water Resources Association, Water Quality Task Force
- Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Board Member
- Pickerel-Crooked Lake Association, Board Member
- Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation, Trustee
- Fraternity and Sorority Action Fund, Board Member
- American Civics Campaign at the Richard Nixon Foundation – Finance Committee
- Monticello – Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Cabinet Co-Chair (2022-2024)
Publications
- “Agencies Release Revised WOTUS Proposed Rule, Open 45-day Public Comment Period,” PublicCEO, Dec. 1, 2025
- “California State Water Resources Control Board Issues New and Revised PFAS Advisory Levels,” PublicCEO, Nov. 10, 2025
- Quoted in “PFAS in Fertilizer From Sewage Spurs State Control Efforts,” Bloomberg Law, May 1, 2025
- Quoted in “Supreme Court Clips EPA Wings on Generic Permits Meant to Keep Sewage Out of San Francisco Bay,” Courthouse News Service, March 7, 2025
- “Forever Chemicals Now Subject to Hazardous Designation Under Superfund,” Reuters, May 24, 2024
Presentations
- "A New Wave: Rethinking Water Supply Through Deep-Sea Desalination," Association of California Water Agencies, Fall Conference, Dec. 3, 2025
- “Update on PFAS and Drinking Water,” 34th Annual Oregon Water Law Conference, The Seminar Group, Oct. 24, 2025
- "Legal Considerations for Federal Funding Challenges," National Association of Counties Webinar, Sept. 8, 2025
- “In-Conversation: From Coast to Coast: How the U.S. is Scaling Water Reuse,” IDRA High-Level Seville Colloquium on Resilient Water Solutions, June 2, 2025
- “Federal Appropriations and Executive Authority,” International Municipal Lawyers Association Mid-Year Seminar, Apr. 26, 2025
- “Federal Policy Update,” WateReuse Symposium, March 17, 2025
- “Executive Actions & Local Governments: A Legal Perspective,” National League of Cities Congressional City Conference, March 10, 2025
- “Evolving Legal Landscape: Implications for Water Providers,” Association of California Water Agencies, Washington D.C., Feb. 25, 2025
- “WaterReuse 2025 Policy Outlook,” WaterReuse Association, Jan. 2025
- “PFAS and Emerging Contaminants,” International Bar Association, Sept. 2024
- “PFAS = More Risks + More Money (and Where to Find the Dollars),” International Municipal Lawyers Association Annual Conference, Sept. 26, 2024
- “Safe Drinking Water Act at 50,” California Lawyers Association Annual Environmental Law Conference, Sept. 13, 2024
- “Water Challenges in Developing Green Hydrogen Projects, Including Desalination and Treated Wastewater,” International Bar Association, Apr. 2024
- “Federal Priorities Panel,” Association of California Water Agencies, Washington D.C., Feb. 27, 2024
- “2024 Water Reuse Policy Outlook,” WateReuse WebCast, Jan. 17, 2024
- “New Supplies: Developing Alternatives to Address Water Scarcity,” International Bar Association, Nov. 2023
- “Navigating the PFAS Lawsuits: From Litigation to Compensation,” Association of California Water Agencies, Nov. 30, 2023
- “Litigation Update,” National Water Resources Association Annual Conference and Leadership Forum, Nov. 8, 2023
- “Navigating the Agriculture/Urban Interface,” International Bar Association, Oct. 2023
- “PFAS Hazardous Chemical Designation,” US Conference of Mayors Water Council Meeting, Oct. 19, 2023
- “PFAS Update,” Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys and the Government Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan Summer Education Conference, Jun. 24, 2023
- “PFAS, It’s Such a Hot Topic, It’s Toxic!” International Municipal Lawyers Association's Mid-Year Seminar, WONK Breakfast, Apr. 23, 2023
- “PFAS,” Colorado Water Congress Annual Convention Workshop, Jan. 25, 2023
- “Federal Purse Strings: Best Practices for the Uniform Guidance and Beyond,” International Municipal Lawyers Association's Annual Conference, WONK Breakfast, Oct. 21, 2022
- “Supreme Court Hears Arguments Challenging EPA Regulatory Authority over Waters of the United States (WOTUS),” The United States Conference of Mayors, Water Council, Oct. 14, 2022
- “Regulatory Status of PFOS/PFOA: EPA Proposes to Declare a Hazardous Waste,” The United States Conference of Mayors, Water Council, Oct. 14, 2022
- “Federal Funding Opportunities: Update on Congressional Appropriations and Biden Administration Distribution Plans; An Inside The Beltway Perspective On Prospects For Additional Water Infrastructure Funding,” Law Seminars International Seminar, Water Infrastructure Development Funding, Groundwater Sustainability Implementation in California, July 29, 2022
- “Water in Washington Panel,” Association of California Water Agencies, Washington D.C. Water Conference, July 13, 2022
- “Spending Uncle Sam’s Money: A How-To Guide For Local Procurement When Using Federal Funding,” California Lawyers Association Public Law Section Webinar, June 23, 2022
- “Virtual Roundtable Discussion on Federal Funding,” Association of California Water Agencies Webinar, June 15, 2022
- “Environmental Regulation and Implementation,” Federal Water Issues Conference, National Water Resources Association, May 9, 2022
- “Roundtable Discussion - Accessing Federal Funding,” Association of California Water Agencies Spring Conference, May 4, 2022
- “Creative Strategies for American Rescue Plan Act Funds,” International Municipal Lawyers Association's Mid-Year Seminar, Apr. 9, 2022
- “American Rescue Plan State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds: Key Implementation, Compliance and Reporting Guidelines,” BBK Webinar, Sept. 14, 2021
- “Now That You Have ARPA Funds – What’s Next?” BBK Webinar, June 23, 2021
- “Inside Washington,” 89th Annual Virtual Conference, National Water Resources Association, Nov. 12, 2020
- “Tax Reform: What D.C.'s Actions Could Mean for Public Agencies,” BBK Webinar, Nov. 1, 2017
- “There’s a Lot Going on in Water Quality Law!” California Stormwater Quality Association’s 13th Annual Conference, Sept. 25, 2017
