Michael's law practice centers on natural resources, environmental and public utilities matters. His particular areas of expertise include water rights, public lands, mineral, environmental and natural resources law, and consultation and litigation involving telecommunications and energy law.
Michael represents clients before various federal and state regulatory and resource management agencies, including the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; Idaho Department of Water Resources, Idaho Division of Environmental Quality, and the Idaho Public Utilities Commission. Michael has been actively involved on behalf of various water users in the Snake River Basin Adjudication since 1989.
Before joining Givens Pursley, Michael served for seven years as a District Manager for the Division of Wildlife, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. He has lectured for the Idaho Law Foundation and other groups on water law and policy, the National Environmental Policy Act, natural resource planning, the Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts, and related topics. He has also served as Vice-Chair (1996-1998) and as Chair (1998-2000) of the Water Law Section of the Idaho State Bar.
