Michael Weller
Associate
Michael Weller is a member of the firm's environmental and natural resources practice. He focuses on state and federal environmental and regulatory matters. Mr. Weller serves developers, manufacturers, refiners, industry trade associations, investor groups and financial institutions, assisting them in the management of environmental risks, liabilities and regulatory compliance issues arising in the context of enforcement actions, litigation and corporate transactions.
Mr. Weller's recent experience includes the assessment of environmental risks associated with the underwriting of a federal highway project, research related to the federal Clean Air Act, and the analysis and commenting related to several EPA proposed rulemakings. Prior to his career as an attorney, Mr. Weller worked for seven years as a biologist and environmental consultant throughout California, Maryland and Virginia and has hands-on experience managing the environmental and permitting components of a wide range of projects, including federal highway construction, mixed-use developments, master-planned communities, and mitigation banking and conservation transactions. He has ushered many of these projects through all phases of the permitting process, from initial planning to agency negotiation and compliance tracking.
Mr. Weller has a deep understanding of the practical implementation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and has prepared CWA 404 permit applications; developed wetland and stream mitigation plans; advised in the context of permit compliance; and negotiated with federal and state regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and & Wildlife Service, and EPA.
Publications and Speeches
"TCEQ Releases Emissions Study for Barnett Shale - Added Regulatory Attention Expected," Environmental Law Update, January 29, 2010.
Co-author, "California Requires Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting in 2009," Energy Law Update, December 2008.
Co-author, "Deseret Decision Regarding CO2 Avoids the Key Question and Creates Significant Uncertainty," Environmental Law Update, November 2008.
Education
J.D., George Washington University Law School, 2009
B.S., Towson University, 2000
Bar Admissions
Maryland
*Not licensed to practice in the District of Columbia
Affiliations
American Bar Association, Energy and Environmental Law Section
Mid Atlantic Region Environmental Professionals, Board of Directors
State Bar of Maryland