Karen Tachiki, who had been a lead attorney on Colorado River matters for the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, returns to the agency as general counsel.  Tachiki, who previously served as assistant general counsel from Nov. 1988 to July 2000, succeeds Jeff Kightlinger, who was named Metropolitan general manager.

As general counsel, Tachiki will lead Metropolitan’s legal staff and consulting attorneys; direct its legal strategies in pending and potential litigation; and protect the district’s interests in contracts and other legal matters. 

Tachiki has been chief counsel of the Southern California Association of Governments since Jan. 2003, where she also has served as SCAG’s director of government and public affairs since April 2006.  In those positions, she has been responsible for SCAG’s day-to-day legal affairs, while overseeing its legislative, communications and member relations programs.  Previously, she was principal resources manager for McGuire Environmental Consultants, Inc., from July 2000 to Jan. 2003.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and law degree from the University of California at Los Angeles.

A member of the Japanese Bar Association, Tachiki is former chair of the Colorado River Water Users Association’s resolutions committee.  She has served as a member of the NWRA’s resolutions committee and the legal affairs committee of the ACWA.