Mike has over 20 years of experience representing clients in Federal and State courts and administrative law tribunals primarily in the areas of environmental law, toxic torts and related matters. His experience includes representing both large and small companies in a wide variety of environmental law, administrative law, environmental crimes, catastrophic failure, toxic tort, class actions, product liability and trademark law matters. He has a reputation as an attorney with unequalled… Show more Mike has over 20 years of experience representing clients in Federal and State courts and administrative law tribunals primarily in the areas of environmental law, toxic torts and related matters. His experience includes representing both large and small companies in a wide variety of environmental law, administrative law, environmental crimes, catastrophic failure, toxic tort, class actions, product liability and trademark law matters. He has a reputation as an attorney with unequalled experience and background in environmental science, chemical plant operations and failure analysis. Show less

Environmental statutory and regulatory law, toxic tort cases and catastrophic failure cases occupy most of my time. I also support clients in the areas of regulatory compliance, enforcement proceedings, permitting, toxic torts and environmental litigation.My prior hands-on, “real-world” experience in industries such as environmental consulting firms, engineering firms, refineries, the petrochemical industry, the hazardous waste industry and the hazardous material transportation industry… Show more Environmental statutory and regulatory law, toxic tort cases and catastrophic failure cases occupy most of my time. I also support clients in the areas of regulatory compliance, enforcement proceedings, permitting, toxic torts and environmental litigation.My prior hands-on, “real-world” experience in industries such as environmental consulting firms, engineering firms, refineries, the petrochemical industry, the hazardous waste industry and the hazardous material transportation industry makes me particularly adaptable to practically any environmental or failure issue that a client might have.I practice in environmental law and litigation matters, government enforcement actions, regulatory interpretations and administrative civil and criminal proceedings in state and federal court and before the US Environmental Protection Agency, the US Department of Justice and other state and federal agencies.While I'm licensed to practice in Louisiana and Colorado, I really enjoy working on projects and cases in other states. Thus, I can work in those states pro hac vice, as necessary. Show less

Represented clients in state and federal courts regarding regulatory, enforcement, permitting and technical matters related to environmental laws and regulations. Represented clients in toxic tort litigation related to personal injury and property damage associated with spills, releases or exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Represented clients in state and federal courts regarding regulatory, enforcement, permitting and technical matters related to environmental laws and regulations. Represented clients in toxic tort litigation related to personal injury and property damage associated with spills, releases or exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Assisted and represented clients with local, state and federal agencies in regulatory, enforcement, permitting and technical matters related to environmental law, including, but not limited to, the generation, storage, transfer, transportation, treatment, disposal, permitting, recycling and recovery of hazardous and solid wastes, voluntary and involuntary CERCLA cleanups and cost recovery, UST remediations, air emissions control and permitting, wastewater treatment and permitting, storm water… Show more Assisted and represented clients with local, state and federal agencies in regulatory, enforcement, permitting and technical matters related to environmental law, including, but not limited to, the generation, storage, transfer, transportation, treatment, disposal, permitting, recycling and recovery of hazardous and solid wastes, voluntary and involuntary CERCLA cleanups and cost recovery, UST remediations, air emissions control and permitting, wastewater treatment and permitting, storm water discharge permitting, groundwater monitoring and remediation, hazardous material transportation, NORM site remediation, oilfield site remediation, OSHA safety programs, commenting on and assisting state agencies with the development of revised regulations Show less

Assisted and represented clients with local, state and federal agencies in regulatory, enforcement, permitting and technical matters related to environmental law, including, but not limited to, the generation, storage, transfer, transportation, treatment, disposal, permitting, recycling and recovery of hazardous and solid wastes, voluntary and involuntary CERCLA cleanups and cost recovery, UST remediations, air emissions control and permitting, wastewater treatment and permitting, storm water… Show more Assisted and represented clients with local, state and federal agencies in regulatory, enforcement, permitting and technical matters related to environmental law, including, but not limited to, the generation, storage, transfer, transportation, treatment, disposal, permitting, recycling and recovery of hazardous and solid wastes, voluntary and involuntary CERCLA cleanups and cost recovery, UST remediations, air emissions control and permitting, wastewater treatment and permitting, storm water discharge permitting, groundwater monitoring and remediation, hazardous material transportation, NORM site remediation, oilfield site remediation, OSHA safety programs, commenting on and assisting state agencies with the development of revised regulations Show less

Managed projects based in Louisiana, including providing assistance in setting up a pre-treatment program, preparing US Corps of Engineers permit applications, conducting wetlands delineations, preparing air, water and solid waste permit applications, performing multi-media audits, preparing comments on draft permits, conducting Phase 1 property assessments and working for law firms in environmental matters, such as performing consulting expert services.

(Formerly C-K Associates, Inc.) Managed the firm’s Lake Charles regional office, managed all of the projects based in Lake Charles, which included a number of multi-disciplined projects for several local petrochemical and related industry clients. Projects included: conducting feasibility studies for surface impoundment closures, conducting tidal flow studies in Calcasieu River system, preparing US Corps of Engineers permit applications, performing wetlands delineations, preparing air permit… Show more (Formerly C-K Associates, Inc.) Managed the firm’s Lake Charles regional office, managed all of the projects based in Lake Charles, which included a number of multi-disciplined projects for several local petrochemical and related industry clients. Projects included: conducting feasibility studies for surface impoundment closures, conducting tidal flow studies in Calcasieu River system, preparing US Corps of Engineers permit applications, performing wetlands delineations, preparing air permit modifications, preparing NPDES, LWDPS and TWC permit modifications development of storm water sampling and permit applications, performing groundwater sampling, performing toxicity reduction evaluations, development of SPCC plans, conducting multi-media audits, conducting negotiations with regulators on behalf of clients, preparing comments on draft permits and conducting Phase 1 property assessments. Show less

(Formerly C-K Associates, Inc.) Managed the firm’s Lake Charles regional office, managed all of the projects based in Lake Charles, which included a number of multi-disciplined projects for several local petrochemical and related industry clients. Projects included: conducting feasibility studies for surface impoundment closures, conducting tidal flow studies in Calcasieu River system, preparing US Corps of Engineers permit applications, performing wetlands delineations, preparing air permit… Show more (Formerly C-K Associates, Inc.) Managed the firm’s Lake Charles regional office, managed all of the projects based in Lake Charles, which included a number of multi-disciplined projects for several local petrochemical and related industry clients. Projects included: conducting feasibility studies for surface impoundment closures, conducting tidal flow studies in Calcasieu River system, preparing US Corps of Engineers permit applications, performing wetlands delineations, preparing air permit modifications, preparing NPDES, LWDPS and TWC permit modifications development of storm water sampling and permit applications, performing groundwater sampling, performing toxicity reduction evaluations, development of SPCC plans, conducting multi-media audits, conducting negotiations with regulators on behalf of clients, preparing comments on draft permits and conducting Phase 1 property assessments. Show less

(Formerly Westlake Petrochemicals) Responsibilities included: air and water permit modifications, identifying and initiating process modifications to meet the Benzene-NESHAPs standards, other Clean Air Act standards and LA Air Toxics standards, identifying and initiating process modifications to reduce, minimize and/or eliminate the generation of hazardous and non-hazardous process waste streams, instituting a program to streamline the management of solid and hazardous wastes generated… Show more (Formerly Westlake Petrochemicals) Responsibilities included: air and water permit modifications, identifying and initiating process modifications to meet the Benzene-NESHAPs standards, other Clean Air Act standards and LA Air Toxics standards, identifying and initiating process modifications to reduce, minimize and/or eliminate the generation of hazardous and non-hazardous process waste streams, instituting a program to streamline the management of solid and hazardous wastes generated, conducting process and utilities discharge investigations to identify and eliminate excessive levels of various compounds and parameters in order to comply with discharge permit limits, conducting stack testing activities on 6 cracking furnaces and 2 boilers, developing and updating Contingency Plans, SPCC Plans, Training Plans, Waste Reduction Plans, VOC Housekeeping Plans, BMP Plans, Emergency Shutdown System Plans, assisting in conducting Phase 1 assessments on properties considered for corporate acquisition, participating in corporate safety and environmental audits of other Westlake plants. Show less

(Now Waste Management, Inc.) Prepared applications for and secured modifications to State RCRA, USEPA HSWA, State Air, NPDES, State Water Discharge, State Nuclear Energy and USEPA TSCA Storage permits; secured water discharge permit modifications, air permit modifications, Part B Permit Application development, changes during interim status (approval to construct additional waste processing and storage units), Nuclear Energy License modifications and securing closure permits for two hazardous… Show more (Now Waste Management, Inc.) Prepared applications for and secured modifications to State RCRA, USEPA HSWA, State Air, NPDES, State Water Discharge, State Nuclear Energy and USEPA TSCA Storage permits; secured water discharge permit modifications, air permit modifications, Part B Permit Application development, changes during interim status (approval to construct additional waste processing and storage units), Nuclear Energy License modifications and securing closure permits for two hazardous waste landfills reviewing and approving process designs and modifications. Show less

(Now Waste Management, Inc.) Responsibilities included: compliance with all state and federal RCRA, CAA, TSCA, SARA, CERCLA, OSHA, DOT, and Nuclear Energy Regulations applicable to CWM’s operation (i.e., hazardous waste landfill, drum storage, drum processing, tank storage and treatment, bulk stabilization, wastewater treatment, fuels recovery and laboratory), worked closely with corporate attorneys and local counsel in enforcement actions as a witness and technical support, as well as provided… Show more (Now Waste Management, Inc.) Responsibilities included: compliance with all state and federal RCRA, CAA, TSCA, SARA, CERCLA, OSHA, DOT, and Nuclear Energy Regulations applicable to CWM’s operation (i.e., hazardous waste landfill, drum storage, drum processing, tank storage and treatment, bulk stabilization, wastewater treatment, fuels recovery and laboratory), worked closely with corporate attorneys and local counsel in enforcement actions as a witness and technical support, as well as provided assistance in resolving matters ranging from zoning, easements to permitting and enforcement action negotiations, served as CWM’s State Regulatory Affairs Coordinator for Louisiana and Arkansas; responsibilities also included interfacing with and providing input to state regulators during the development of draft regulations prior to and during public comment periods, implementing all of the HSWA Landbans, reviewed and approved process designs and modifications conducted process safety reviews of process designs and modifications, developed, maintained and supervised the implementation of all plans, procedures, programs and guidelines in compliance with state, federal and corporate requirements (i.e., Closure/Post-Closure Plans and Cost Estimates, Financial Assurance Mechanism, Inspection Plan, Training Plan, Waste Analysis Plan, Storm Water Management Plan, Contingency Plan, SPCC Plan, Plant Safety and Health Procedures, Security Procedures, Site Generated Waste Program, Groundwater Monitoring Program, Ambient Air Monitoring Program, NPDES and State Discharge Monitoring and Reporting), interfaced with state and federal regulatory agencies during on-site inspections, all permitting activities and regulatory enforcement negotiations, hosted corporate and regional compliance audits (safety and environmental), acted as Alternate Emergency Coordinator for the facility and responded to all significant in-plant and off-site emergencies. Show less

(Now Waste Management, Inc.) Responsibilities included: compliance with all state and federal RCRA, CAA, TSCA, SARA, CERCLA, OSHA, DOT, and Nuclear Energy Regulations applicable to CWM’s operation (i.e., hazardous waste landfill, drum storage, drum processing, tank storage and treatment, bulk stabilization, wastewater treatment, fuels recovery and laboratory), worked closely with corporate attorneys and local counsel in enforcement actions as a witness and technical support, as well as provided… Show more (Now Waste Management, Inc.) Responsibilities included: compliance with all state and federal RCRA, CAA, TSCA, SARA, CERCLA, OSHA, DOT, and Nuclear Energy Regulations applicable to CWM’s operation (i.e., hazardous waste landfill, drum storage, drum processing, tank storage and treatment, bulk stabilization, wastewater treatment, fuels recovery and laboratory), worked closely with corporate attorneys and local counsel in enforcement actions as a witness and technical support, as well as provided assistance in resolving matters ranging from zoning, easements to permitting and enforcement action negotiations, served as CWM’s State Regulatory Affairs Coordinator for Louisiana and Arkansas; prepared applications for and secured modifications to State RCRA, USEPA HSWA, State Air, NPDES, State Water Discharge, State Nuclear Energy and USEPA TSCA Storage permits; reviewed and approved process designs and modifications conducted process safety reviews of process designs and modifications, developed, maintained and supervised the implementation of all plans, procedures, programs and guidelines in compliance with state, federal and corporate requirements (i.e., Closure/Post-Closure Plans and Cost Estimates, Financial Assurance Mechanism, Inspection Plan, Training Plan, Waste Analysis Plan, Storm Water Management Plan, Contingency Plan, SPCC Plan, Plant Safety and Health Procedures, Security Procedures, Site Generated Waste Program, Groundwater Monitoring Program, Ambient Air Monitoring Program, NPDES and State Discharge Monitoring and Reporting), interfaced with state and federal regulatory agencies during on-site inspections, all permitting activities and regulatory enforcement negotiations, hosted corporate and regional compliance audits (safety and environmental), acted as Alternate Emergency Coordinator for the facility and responded to all significant in-plant and off-site emergencies. Show less

Responsibilities included: managing and operating an environmental consulting and services company working with small, medium and large generators of hazardous waste in the following areas: developing waste management programs, negotiating with the LDEQ on compliance issues, Contingency Plan preparations, conducted environmental audits, waste recovery studies, lab pack projects, asbestos abatement and all phases of personnel training conducting extensive community relations efforts for a client… Show more Responsibilities included: managing and operating an environmental consulting and services company working with small, medium and large generators of hazardous waste in the following areas: developing waste management programs, negotiating with the LDEQ on compliance issues, Contingency Plan preparations, conducted environmental audits, waste recovery studies, lab pack projects, asbestos abatement and all phases of personnel training conducting extensive community relations efforts for a client applying for permits to construct a hazardous waste TSD facility in the Lake Charles area. Show less

Responsibilities included: managing the regulated waste program for PPG’s chemical manufacturing complex (2400 employees) developing and monitoring waste management systems and programs that reduced, minimized and/or eliminated waste generation and insured compliance with all applicable environmental regulations initiating remedial action and follow up dictated by internal and regulatory compliance inspections working closely with corporate environmental audit teams co-supervising the closure… Show more Responsibilities included: managing the regulated waste program for PPG’s chemical manufacturing complex (2400 employees) developing and monitoring waste management systems and programs that reduced, minimized and/or eliminated waste generation and insured compliance with all applicable environmental regulations initiating remedial action and follow up dictated by internal and regulatory compliance inspections working closely with corporate environmental audit teams co-supervising the closure of a hazardous waste surface impoundment responding to on-site and off-site hazardous material/waste spills interfacing with the LDNR, LDEQ, and USEPA on hazardous waste, solid waste and injection well issues sampling, segregating and had analyses performed on numerous containers of unidentified chemicals. Show less

Responsibilities included: managing the regulated waste program for PPG’s chemical manufacturing complex (2400 employees) developing and monitoring waste management systems and programs that reduced, minimized and/or eliminated waste generation and insured compliance with all applicable environmental regulations initiating remedial action and follow up dictated by internal and regulatory compliance inspections working closely with corporate environmental audit teams co-supervising the closure… Show more Responsibilities included: managing the regulated waste program for PPG’s chemical manufacturing complex (2400 employees) developing and monitoring waste management systems and programs that reduced, minimized and/or eliminated waste generation and insured compliance with all applicable environmental regulations initiating remedial action and follow up dictated by internal and regulatory compliance inspections working closely with corporate environmental audit teams co-supervising the closure of a hazardous waste surface impoundment responding to on-site and off-site hazardous material/waste spills interfacing with the LDNR, LDEQ, and USEPA on hazardous waste, solid waste and injection well issues sampling, segregating and had analyses performed on numerous containers of unidentified chemicals. Show less

Responsibilities included: operating a vinyl chloride manufacturing process which included direct operation of one EDC vaporizer, two EDC crackers, one chlorine vaporizer, one heavies distillation column, two dopp kettles, one cooling tower (8 cell), one pair of instrument air compressors and the plant’s process water distribution system conducting wet chemistry analyses on cooling tower and distillation process.

Responsibilities included: performing process quality control activities by sampling and conducting approximately 22 gas chromatograph and 15 wet chemistry analyses per shift on intermediate and final products from chlorinated organic solvent processes.

Responsibilities included conducting field determinations for and delineations of soil and vegetation types, conducting critical wildlife habitat evaluations, identifying and mapping special habitat features for threatened and endangered wildlife and writing portions of environmental impact statements and environmental assessment reports.