Mike Schowalter Email & Phone Number

Minneapolis, MN, US

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Represents Fresh Energy as a member of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator's (MISO) Environmental Sector on all issues related to transmission, resource adequacy, markets, and interconnection. Vice Chair of MISO's Distributed Energy Resources Task Force.

Concord, NH

• Advised clients on policy and regulation related to renewable energy credits, environmental compliance, cryptocurrency mining using hydroelectric facilities, open-source software, and COVID-19 liability.
• Advised clients regarding the business impact of new renewable energy initiatives in New York and Massachusetts, including new electricity tariffs and renewable energy credit programs.
• Developed a legal argument in support of endangered species at a gravel mining operation that prevailed in the New Hampshire Supreme Court, resulting in stronger endangered species protections across the state.
• Core member of legal teams representing lenders or project developers in more than 45 renewable energy portfolio financings, including project due diligence, negotiation of agreements, and bespoke research.
• Represented municipal, business, and citizen interests in judicial, agency, and local government proceedings.
• Frequent presenter at internal firm educational events or administrative meetings, and occasional speaker at outside events, including on harder-to-understand topics such as blockchains and cryptocurrencies.

Concord, NH

• Led effort to persuade two dozen foreign governments to partner with the Lantos Foundation in an effort against anti-Semitism, including participation from President Barack Obama and leaders from various European.
• Led initiative supporting the free exercise of religion by persecuted groups overseas while collaborating with underground religious practitioners, foreign clergy, a sitting U.S. Senator, and other human rights.
• Demonstrated effectiveness of Internet firewall circumvention technology to a sitting U.S. Senator by organizing an encrypted video conference between the Senator and overseas human rights advocates located in a.
• Created a website for the Foundation's 2016 Solidarity Sabbath initiative focusing on the persecution of religious freedom in China by the Chinese Communist Party.
• Reviewed applications for Foundation grants, and drafted grant applications for outside funding

Dharamsala, India

• Co-wrote and edited the 2011 Annual Report analyzing human rights abuses by the Chinese government against Tibetans in China. Issues included infringements against civil and political liberties, the right to education.
• Presented findings as a panelist at the Dalai Lama’s palace. Report available at http://www.tchrd.org/category/annual-reports/

Prague, The Capital, Czech Republic

• Assessed the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s compliance with its own internal environmental policies in Ukraine and Georgia.
• Discovered violations in conduct by one country office through interviews with local banking officials.
• Worked in the field in Prague, Kyiv, and Tblisi.

Hanoi, Vietnam

• Analyzed the impact of new regulations and decrees and how they might impact international clients.
• Monitored legal developments in Vietnam, Burma, Laos, and Cambodia for potential business opportunities or threats relevant for the firm's clients.
• Corresponded with the U.S. embassy in Hanoi on intellectual property matters affecting firm clients.

Ukraine

• Introduced "Leave No Trace" wilderness practices to Crimea.
• Partnered with social entrepreneurs to build community-centric programming in areas such as ecotourism, orphanages, English language learning, outdoor ecological education, and HIV/AIDS education.
• Administered procurement and compliance with grants for local organizations.
• Led a weekly advanced English language discussion group at Crimean State University.
• Member of Peace Corps Ukraine's Environmental Working Group.

College Park, MD

• Managed, organized, and customized training programs for a series of Chinese government delegations.
• Negotiated speaking fees and established new partnerships.

Juris Doctor, International And Economic Law

Activities and Societies: Founder & President - Students for Law & Global Justice - 2010-11, Brief Specialist - Jessup International Law.

Master Of Laws (Llm), Environmental Law

• Part-time distance LLM program with an emphasis on renewable energy. • 4.0 GPA through four mini-terms. • Ended study upon start of.

Bachelor Of Science, Geography

• Focus on geopolitics and globalization. • Wrote senior thesis on the impact of global trade on small rural communities in Indonesia.