Biography
Michael assists clients in the cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites, and with navigating regulatory and compliance challenges related to their environmental stewardship.
He focuses on state and federal laws and regulations regarding hazardous and toxic waste contamination, site remediation, and cost recovery under CERCLA and the Massachusetts counterpart, the Massachusetts Oil and Hazardous Material Release Prevention and Response Act (ch. 21E), where he represents both private parties and municipalities. In particular, his experience representing PRP groups in CERCLA matters helped recover significant funds for site remediation. He also represents clients defending against government enforcement actions under the Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act claims, and state law.
In addition to his hazardous waste and contamination practice, Michael has experience in multi-state insurance coverage disputes and Massachusetts land use law. He also maintains a commitment to pro bono service.
During law school, Michael worked at Vermont Law School’s Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic assisting in complex federal environmental litigation involving the applicability of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to the capacity increase of an oil pipeline that crossed international borders. He also interned at the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, where he helped write several Agency decisions under Vermont’s Use of Public Waters Rules.
Prior to law school—in his role as a wildlife technician in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana and Muhlenberg County, Kentucky—Michael used radio telemetry to track the movement and habitat selection of several species of bird.
Education
- University of New England (B.A., 2010)
- Political Science
- University of New England (B.S., 2010)
- Environmental Science
- Vermont Law School (J.D./M.E.L.P., magna cum laude, 2015)
- Vermont Law Review: Staff Editor, 2013 – 2014; Articles Editor, 2014 – 2015
- Moot Court Advisory Board: President, 2014 – 2015
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court - Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court - New Hampshire
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association Section on Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER), Science and Technology Committee, Membership Vice Chair
- Boston Bar Association, Member
- New Hampshire Bar Association, Member
- Environmental Business Council of New England, Member
- Vermont Law School, Boston Regional Group, Executive Counsel
Publications
- Note, Settling Environmental Disasters: Three Judicial Factors to Consider and Application to the Mayflower, Arkansas Oil Spill, 16 VT. J. ENVTL. L. 519 (2015).