John Fortuna is an associate in King & Spalding’s Tort & Environmental Litigation Practice Group. He has a general environmental practice with a focus on water law and water resources. He also has significant experience with coastal permitting issues and the Endangered Species Act. Mr. Fortuna joined King & Spalding after serving for two years as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard W. Story in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Prior to attending law school, Mr. Fortuna worked as a marine biologist, where his research focused on marine fisheries management, biophysical oceanography, and coral reef ecology. He has co-authored a number of peer reviewed scientific articles, technical papers and a book chapter, and his research has been presented at numerous scientific meetings.

Mr. Fortuna’s recent experience includes:

• Represented Atlanta-area municipalities, counties and public water authorities in the tri-state “water wars” litigation in federal courts in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and the District of Columbia.



• Represented a public water authority in litigation relating to the development of a major new water supply reservoir.



• Successfully represented permittees before the Georgia Supreme Court in the challenge to a permit issued under the Georgia Coastal Marshlands Protection Act.



• Represented clients in cost recovery litigation arising under CERCLA and state tort law.



• Advised clients on matters relating to development of coastal properties, permitting requirements and other issues.



• Represented public water authorities in relicensing proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Memberships:

• American Bar Association, Section of Environment, Energy and Resources



• Planning Committee, 2009 Water Law Conference



• State Bar of Georgia, Environmental Law Section



• Federal Bar Association



• Atlanta Bar Association

Publications:

• Co-Editor, Eastern Water Law Reporter



• “Water Rights, Public Resources, and Private Commodities: Examining the Current and Future Law Governing the Allocation of Georgia Water,” 38 Ga. L. Rev. 1009 (2004).