Veteran attorney Michael Elam brings more than three decades of experience in environmental, energy, infrastructure and natural resource law in both the private and public sectors. He structures creative agreements and helps secure approvals and financing for complex national and international agreements involving the development, remediation and financing of environmentally challenged or controversial projects surrounding energy and sensitive water bodies or sources.
Michael represents businesses and other clients in complex projects and transactions, disputes and litigation. He is known for helping clients obtain creative and cutting-edge agreements, particularly with respect to infrastructure and energy-related international projects. Michael offers deep experience in investigations, risk avoidance, risk allocation and dispute resolution with a chess vs. checkers approach to clients’ long-term goals. He is effective in working with federal, state and international governments and representing private sector clients seeking to secure approvals and financing for sensitive development projects or to resolve significant, complex claims.
Michael advises on virtually all aspects of acquiring, selling, developing, financing and leasing of properties, businesses or projects. He is particularly capable in matters involving environmental, water or energy concerns or complicated funding and delicate public relations and political issues, including international projects in conflict zones and politically frangible areas. Michael has counseled clients and coordinated teams addressing the siting, permitting, construction, sale and financing of traditional and renewable facilities, transmission lines, storage, refineries, pipelines and transportation infrastructure projects in the U.S. and internationally.
Notably, Michael possesses a keen understanding of the inner workings of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governmental agencies and capital markets and has facilitated siting approvals, multiparty agreements and financing for projects. This includes substantial infrastructure projects and business transactions in challenging countries, including Iraq, where he worked with the U.S. State Department and represented the Government of Iraq in negotiations with numerous corporations, countries and NGOs on multibillion-dollar energy and infrastructure matters.
More Legal and Business Bylines From Michael H. Elam
- Supreme Court Stays Clean Power Plan, Creating Additional Uncertainty for Industry - (Posted On Thursday, February 11, 2016)
- Start Your Clocks: EPA Publishes Greenhouse Gas Rules for Utilities - (Posted On Friday, October 23, 2015)
- Vapor Shroud Has Fallen: EPA Releases Final Vapor Intrusion Guidance - (Posted On Friday, July 17, 2015)
- EPA Failure to Consider Costs Results in U.S. Supreme Court Striking Down the Mercury Emissions Rule for Power Plants - (Posted On Thursday, July 09, 2015)
- Going, going… EPA Eliminates Another Source of Startup, Shutdown and Malfunction Exemptions from Clean Air Act - (Posted On Friday, June 12, 2015)
- EPA Releases Final Rule To Distinguish Recycled Products From Solid Waste Under RCRA Subtitle C - (Posted On Monday, December 22, 2014)
- How Low Will It Go? EPA’s Proposal to Lower Ozone Limit May Leave Many Counties in Nonattainment - (Posted On Thursday, December 18, 2014)
- Canadian Pipelines May be Exposed to Extended Liability - (Posted On Thursday, June 19, 2014)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Issues Proposed Rule on Petroleum Refinery Emissions - (Posted On Thursday, June 12, 2014)
- Illinois Unlocks $30 Million for Solar Investment - (Posted On Thursday, June 05, 2014)