About

 The American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL) is a professional association of distinguished lawyers who practice in the field of environmental law.  Membership is by invitation and members are recognized by their peers as preeminent in their field.  ACOEL members are dedicated to: maintaining and improving the ethical practice of environmental law; the administration of justice; and the development of environmental law at both the state and federal level.

For more information please read the bylaws of the ACOEL as amended on May 18, 2009.

 

Jeffrey A. Thaler

Jeffrey A. Thaler, President, is partner in the Portland, ME office of Bernstein, Shur, Sawyer & Nelson. He is a senior member of Bernstein Shur's Energy, Environmental, and Litigation Practice Groups, with a wide-ranging practice that includes environmental and energy permitting, compliance, enforcement and litigation, as well as litigation for clients with commercial and legal disputes, insurance coverage, personal injury, or toxic tort problems. He has been recognized for 20 years by Best Lawyers in America for his work in environmental, natural resources and appellate law as well as commercial litigation, and in recent years by Chambers USA for his environmental and litigation practices. In May 2008 Thaler was also named the Regional Vice Chair for North America of the Lex Mundi Environmental Practice Group. He is the lead author of The Maine Environmental Law Handbook, and has taught environmental law at the University of Maine Law School. He can be reached at jthaler@bernsteinshur.com.

Areas of Practice:

  • State and national environmental litigation, permitting and compliance
  • Wind, hydro, bioethanol and other renewable power projects
  • Toxic substance claims
  • Endangered Species Act matters
  • Climate change
  • General state and federal litigation and appeals

 

Carol E. Dinkins

Carol E. Dinkins, president elect, chairs Vinson & Elkins' environmental law practice group.  Ms. Dinkins represents companies and governmental entities on a broad range of state and federal environmental matters, including project approvals, defense of civil and criminal enforcement actions, and compliance counseling.  In the 1980s she served as the Deputy Attorney General of the United States and, prior to that,  as Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Environment and Natural Resources Division.  She can be reached at cdinkins@velaw.com


Areas of Practice:

  • Defense of enforcement actions under all environmental laws
  • NEPA, ESA, Historic preservation
  • Project Reviews and Permitting

 

Michele B. Corash

Michele B. Corash, immediate past president, is a partner in Morrison Foerster's environmental law practice group in San Francisco, CA.  Ms. Corash represents companies on a broad range of state, national, and international environmental issues and claims regarding exposure to toxic substances. She works regularly with government agencies and legislatures in the development and implementation of environmental laws and programs. She can be reached at mcorash@mofo.com.


Areas of Practice:

  • State, national, and international environmental issues
  • Claims regarding exposure to toxic substances
  • Environmental Laws and programs

 

Richard M. Glick

Richard M. Glick, past president, is a partner in the Portland, OR, office of Davis Wright Tremaine. Glick has represented industrial firms, local governments and private entities and clients on various environmental issues such as water rights, endangered species, environmental cleanup and hydroelectric power.  Glick has served on the staff counsel to the State Water Resources Control board in Sacramento and as Deputy City Attorney for the City of Portland. He can be reached at rickglick@dwt.com

Areas of Practice:

  • Energy
  • Environmental
  • Water Law

 

Robert W. Whetzel

Robert W. Whetzel, Treasurer, is a director in the law firm of Richards, Layton & Finger in Wilmington, DE.  Whetzel advises manufacturers, developers, lenders, municipalities, and others on issues arising under federal and state environmental laws. He has extensive experience with federal and state environmental agencies, and in private party environmental litigation. Mr. Whetzel is also active in legislative affairs in the State of Delaware, testifying and commenting on numerous environmental bills and proposals. He can be reached at Whetzel@RLF.com.

Areas of Practice:

  • Environmental Law and Litigation

 

Bradley M. Marten

Bradley M.  Marten,  Secretary, is the founder and Managing Partner of Marten Law Group, an environmental firm with 15 lawyers practicing out of offices in Seattle, Washington and Portland Oregon. Over a 25 year career, Brad has earned national recognition as a problem solver for public and private clients and is listed in  the Best Lawyers in America, Chambers, and the International Who’s Who of Environmental Lawyers. He is the editor of a forthcoming Climate Change series authored by members of the ACOEL and published by Lexis Nexis. He can be reached at bmarten@martenlaw.com.

Areas of Practice:

  • Property Development & Acquisition
  • Permitting & Environmental Review
  • Waste Cleanup
  • Waste Management
  • Climate Change
  • Air Quality