MICHAEL POWELL

(Maryland)

I focus on 'how' to get from A to B, but I also, occasionally, help clients decide whether B is really where they want to go.

Appointed by Governor Lawrence Hogan, Jr. and President Mike Miller to the Maryland Climate Change Commission

AV Preeminent rating in Martindale-Hubbell

Named to The Best Lawyers in America since 1995

Named Baltimore's "Lawyer of the Year" in Environmental Law by Best Lawyers in America, 2019

Named Baltimore "Lawyer of the Year" in Litigation - Environmental by Best Lawyers in America, 2017

Named Baltimore "Lawyer of the Year" in Environmental Law by Best Lawyers in America, 2014 and 2016

Selected to Maryland Super Lawyers list for Environmental Law in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and since 2015, and for Energy & Natural Resources, Environmental Litigation and Government Relations, 2021

Recipient, Outstanding Professional Service Award, Fuel Fund of Maryland for the contribution of legal services, June 2011

Recipient, Award of Excellence as "Consultant of the Year," Home Builders Association of Maryland, Land Development Council, 2010

Recipient, Leadership in the Law Award in Environmental Law, The Daily Record, 2009

Named "Legal Elite," SmartCEO, November 2009

Listed to "Top Lawyers in Maryland," Baltimore Magazine

Michael is a Member in the firm's Energy and Environmental Team.

He was named Maryland "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law and Environmental Litigation. In addition, for more than two decades, he has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America, according to a national poll of lawyers. He has also been named a Maryland Super Lawyer. Michael has the highest possible rating in Martindale-Hubbell (established by peer review) and was a founding member and the first elected chairman of the Environmental Section of the Maryland State Bar Association.

Prior to joining Gordon Feinblatt, Michael served as Principal Counsel to the Maryland Department of the Environment. In this role, he was the chief environmental attorney for the state and the principal advisor to the Attorney General on environmental issues. He also served as an Assistant Attorney General advising the state, at various times, on issues involving hazardous wastes, water pollution, solid wastes, radiation control and other environmental and regulatory issues.

In 2015, Michael was appointed by Governor Lawrence Hogan to represent business interests on the Maryland Climate Change Commission and then reappointed by Senate President Mike Miller in 2016. He co-chairs the Mitigation Work Group of the Commission, which is develops plans to meet Maryland's greenhouse gas targets. Michael was also recognized for his dedication to the practice of law and to his community with the 2009 Leadership in the Law award, presented by the Maryland Daily Record and received a Professional Service Award in 2011 for his pro bono work from the Maryland Fuel Fund.

Michael's practice covers environmental law, energy law and governmental relations.

Michael's environmental work has included defending companies from governmental and third-party environmental claims, providing advice on greenhouse gas regulations and legislation, negotiating remediation agreements (including brownfield applications) on contaminated properties, advising companies on climate change developments, and negotiating the terms of environmental permits. Projects on which Michael has worked include solar energy projects; residential and commercial developments; natural gas and petroleum pipeline projects; co-generation projects; hazardous waste incinerators; waste-to-energy plants; infectious waste incinerators; waterway construction permits for developers and municipal water supply facilities; wetlands permits for developers, energy companies and mining operations; critical area approvals for developers; water appropriation and water discharge permits; landfill and other solid waste permits; permits to construct and operate air emission sources (including Title V permits and CPCN permits for energy projects); and work on air and water discharge permits for industrial and energy clients.

Michael's energy work has included the permitting of new renewable energy projects in Maryland. He currently represents a number of coal, natural gas and solar generating stations stations, seeking or renewing environmental permits. He has also provided advice on rate proceedings for large energy customers and for energy producers. Michael was appointed by Governor Martin O'Malley to serve as one of the inaugural members on the Strategic Energy Investment Fund Advisory Board, which provides advice to the Maryland Energy Administration on the budgeting of funds from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative auctions.

Described by The Baltimore Sun as a "high-profile lobbyist representing builders and industrial interests," Michael's lobbying practice has included the representation of energy companies, energy customers, manufacturing interests and developers before the General Assembly. Michael has helped draft many of the most significant Maryland environmental and energy legislation, including the Maryland Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act (both the original Act in 2009 and the renewal in 2015), the Maryland Electricity Restructuring Act, the Maryland Brownfields Act and statutes reforming the process for issuing environmental permits in Maryland.

Since joining Gordon Feinblatt, Michael has provided advice to Talen Energy, Honeywell, BP, FMC, Lockheed Martin, Energy Answers, AES, Alcoa, Lafarge, Lennar Incorporated, Beazer Homes USA Inc., Pulte Homes, CalAtlantic, Ryland Homes, Toll Brothers, First Energy, the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, Florida Rock, American Sugar (Domino), the National Aquarium, Select Energy, Trigen Energy Corporation, the Maryland Industrial Group, the Maryland Industrial Technology Alliance, the American Chemistry Council, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce, the Maryland Bankers Association, Amports and many others. Significant brownfield and remediation projects have included the redevelopment of Silver Spring (on behalf of Montgomery County), the remediation of a major asphalt refinery (on behalf of BP), the proposed Center for Marine Research (on behalf of the National Aquarium), the Carr-Lowery and Westport Power plants (Turner Development), Silo Point (Pulte), Deep Harbor (Beazer), a plant expansion for Domino Sugar, Dundalk Marine Terminal, Race Street and Swann Park (for Honeywell) and dozens more.

Because of his extensive legal background, Michael is a contributing author to the LexisNexis Practice Guide: Maryland Environmental Law.

  • 410-576-4114

  • 1001 Fleet StreetSuite 700BaltimoreMD21202

I am available to my clients 24/7. No one will work harder than I do to achieve our clients' goals.

AV Preeminent rating in Martindale-Hubbell

Named Baltimore's "Lawyer of the Year" in Government Relations Law by Best Lawyers in America, 2015 and 2022

Named to The Best Lawyers in America for Government Relations since 2009

Bob is one of Maryland's best known lobbyists and concentrates his practice in the area of government relations. He is general counsel to the Maryland Bankers Association and is Maryland local counsel to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. He is closely involved in legislative and regulatory issues affecting banks, health care organizations and insurance-related entities. Bob also represents a wide range of other business interests before the Maryland General Assembly and State and local government agencies, including transportation companies, manufacturers, insurance companies, and associations of landlords, debt collectors and horsemen.

Bob represents clients in their dealings with State and local government legislative and regulatory bodies, including cases involving administrative hearings at all levels, with an emphasis on the resolution of issues before the Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation, the Maryland Insurance Administration, and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Bob's longstanding relationships formed through years of hard work with government officials throughout Maryland allow him to achieve unparalleled success for his clients. In an article on Maryland lobbyists, The Gazette newspaper said, "Enten is consistently in the top tier of Annapolis lobbyists. He is known for his relentless advocacy serving a broad client portfolio."

After Bob was named by Best Lawyers of America as the 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Government Relations Law in Baltimore, Center Maryland in its podcast titled "The Lobby" featured Bob and his successful, decades-long career in state politics.

JASON WEINTRAUB

(Maryland)

I will be a tireless advocate for my clients and work as hard as possible to help them accomplish their goals.

Jason is a member of the Firm's Government Relations Team, bringing more than 10 years of outstanding experience working with officials in Maryland government.

Prior to joining the Firm, Jason served as a trusted, strategic advisor to Speaker Adrienne A. Jones and to her predecessor, Speaker Michael E. Busch, with whom he developed a deep understanding of the legislative process at the highest level.

Serving as Senior Legislative Counsel from 2012 to 2020, Jason worked with the Speaker and House of Delegates' leadership on a broad array of complex and substantive legislation, with a focus on tax, gaming, procurement, energy, business and economic development issues. He was one of a select few staff that helped manage legislation on the floor of the House.

Jason is known for his thoughtful approach to solving complicated legislative issues and maintains strong relationships among the legislative and executive branches of government. He has worked closely with trade associations of banks, residential rental property owners, thoroughbred horsemen, builders, insurers, and energy, health care and cannabis companies.

Over the years, Jason has provided strategic legal and political advice on a number of high-profile pieces of legislation, including the Racing and Community Development Act of 2020 and multiple statewide frameworks for gaming expansion. He has drafted significant portions of the tax code and has a deep understanding of the State's business tax credit and incentive programs. In his role as Senior Legislative Counsel, Jason worked closely with legislative leadership and their staffs, while maintaining close working relationships with senior staff in the Senate of Maryland and Governor's Office, as well.

Prior to joining the Speaker's staff, Jason spent four years working as a nonpartisan attorney for the Department of Legislative Services, including two as Counsel to the House Ways and Means Committee.

Jason is admitted to the Maryland Bar.

Clients often call upon me on their worst days. I welcome the opportunity to tackle their problems and make the next day better. I help clients achieve business objectives and navigate regulatory barriers.

Leadership in Law Award, The Daily Record, 2021

Selected to Maryland Super Lawyers list for Energy & Natural Resources, Environmental and Government Relations since 2017

Selected to Rising Stars of Maryland Super Lawyers list for Energy & Natural Resources, Environmental and Government Relations, 2010-2016

Recipient, Outstanding Professional Services Award, Fuel Fund of Maryland for the contribution of legal services, June 2011

Young Alumni of the Year, Villa Julie College (now Stevenson University), 2006

Todd Chason is Gordon Feinblatt's Managing Member (Chief Operating Officer) and General Counsel.

As a member of the firm's Environmental & Energy and Government Relations Practice Groups, Todd works with clients to develop and execute strategies designed to achieve energy and environmental business objectives, often involving a combined approach incorporating both law and government relations.

Todd devotes substantial time to developing solar projects in Maryland, providing permitting counsel for dozens of utility-scale solar projects with hundreds of MWs of capacity. Many of these projects have progressed through Maryland's Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) process, though Todd has also handled CPCN-exempt, community solar and distributed generation projects. These projects take advantage of not only his energy experience but also his knowledge of environmental and natural resource issues.

As Maryland's solar industry has evolved, so has Todd's practice. Since the adoption of Maryland's community solar pilot program, he has worked with dozens of clients navigating the program's promises and challenges. This has included Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) requests for waivers or clarification of various aspects to understanding subscription sales and documentation.

Todd frequently appears before the PSC for a variety of clients, including merchant power generators (conventional and renewable), demand response providers, large energy users, natural gas and electricity brokers and suppliers, utilities and interests in the taxicab industry. He has provided testimony on behalf of merchant generators during various electric supply adequacy proceedings and has obtained electricity and natural gas supplier licenses on behalf of multiple clients. He often participates in PSC rulemakings, including community solar on behalf of the Coalitin for Community Solar Access and utility scale solar for the Utility-Scale Solar Energy Coalition. His energy practice also includes preparing power purchase agreements and related documents.

Todd regularly counsels developers, builders and other businesses seeking or operating under federal and state permits. He has guided dozens of Brownfields properties through the Maryland Department of the Environment's Voluntary Cleanup Program, ranging from small parcels with dry cleaning issues to golf courses to large former industrial sites, and variously sized projects in between. Todd is also experienced in handling natural resources issues, including wetlands, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and stormwater management. Todd has represented property owners and inspectors in lead paint enforcement actions, providing compliance counseling and negotiating favorable resolutions with the Maryland Department of the Environment. Todd also represents referrals from the Maryland Disability Law Center on special education issues.

Achieving energy or environmental goals frequently requires counsel familiar with key Maryland officials within executive branch agencies and the legislature. Todd has spent almost 20 years developing these relationships and the legal expertise needed to resolve complicated issues. During Maryland's General Assembly session, Todd lobbies on energy and environmental legislation for clients, including the Maryland Industrial Technology Alliance, the Maryland Energy Group, merchant power generators, renewables interests and real estate developers.

Because of his extensive legal background, Todd is a contributing author to the LexisNexis Practice Guide: Maryland Environmental Law.

Todd lives in northern Baltimore County with his wife, three kids and annoying golden retriever who collectively usurp almost all of his "free" time. He is helping his kids fulfill their duck farming dreams. He also loves to run and tries to golf, and when the weather doesn't cooperate, he builds in his barn.

Before joining Gordon Feinblatt, Todd clerked for the Honorable Deborah S. Eyler at the Court of Special Appeals of Maryland. He received his J.D., cum laude from the University of Baltimore School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Stevenson University. While at the University of Baltimore, he served as the Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Environmental Law.

DAVID BEUGELMANS

(Maryland)