In the wake of Wednesday’s announcement by Georgia’s longtime outside counsel for water disputes that they are stepping down, the state hired a new firm to represent it.

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of Kazmarek Mowrey Cloud Laseter LLP,” Gov. Nathan Deal and Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens said in a joint statement. “The expertise and experience of Skip Kazmarek and his partners will be a valuable asset as we continue to defend the rights of Georgians to our natural resources.