Michael Powell Email & Phone Number

Michael was named the 2025 Maryland “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America® for Environmental Law. This is the fifth time he has won the award. In addition, for more than two decades, he has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America®, according to a national poll of lawyers. He has also been named a Maryland Super Lawyer®. Michael received the 2023 F. Patrick Hughes Award of Excellence from NAIOP for his work representing business interests during the drafting of Maryland’s Climate Change legislation and regulations. He was also named one of the Daily Record's Influential Marylanders of 2022. Michael has the highest possible rating in Martindale-Hubbell (established by peer review) and was a founding member and the first elected Chair of the Environmental Section of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA).Prior to joining Gordon Feinblatt, Michael served as Principal Counsel to the Maryland Department of the Environment. In this role, he was the chief environmental attorney for the state and the principal advisor to the Attorney General on environmental issues. He also served as an Assistant Attorney General advising the state, at various times, on issues involving hazardous wastes, water pollution, solid wastes, radiation control and other environmental and regulatory issues.In 2015, Michael was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan to represent business interests on the Maryland Climate Change Commission and then reappointed by Senate President Mike Miller in 2016. He co-chairs the Mitigation Work Group of the Commission, which is developing plans to meet Maryland’s greenhouse gas targets. Michael was also recognized for his dedication to the practice of law and to his community with the 2009 Leadership in the Law award, presented by The Daily Record and received a Professional Service Award in 2011 for his pro bono work from the Maryland Fuel Fund.Specialties: Environmental Law, Energy Law, Government Relations, Brownfields Redevelopment, Energy Contracting, Climate Change Regulations

Listed skills include Environmental Law, Administrative Law, Legal Writing, Environmental Policy, and 18 others.