Professional Experience
Mike McCauley served as chair of Quarles & Brady’s national Environmental Law Practice Group from 1986 to 2007. He continues to counsel corporate clients in all aspects of environmental management and dispute resolution. His practice includes special emphasis on the Clean Air Act and Clean Energy issues, environmental assessments in business and real estate transactions, and providing advice on environmental compliance issues. Mr. McCauley represents clients in state and federal courts, and before the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other state and federal environmental agencies. His recent experience includes:
- Representing a variety of industrial clients (paper mills, foundries and general manufacturers) in the defense of Clean Air Act enforcement cases, Notices of Violation and civil investigations.
- Providing strategic advice on environmental due diligence issues for mergers and acquisitions of several large national corporations. Mr. McCauley has also been advising clients on alternative fuel and renewable energy projects, carbon regulation issues, and corporate sustainability policies.
- Representing a large Midwestern utility in the environmental permitting for the construction and operation of 2,280 megawatts (MW) of new electrical power generation, including two 500 MW combined cycle gas-fired units at one location; two 615 MW advanced technology, coal-based generation units at a second location; and one 50 MW biomass-fueled co-generation project at a third location (a paper mill).
- Mr. McCauley serves as primary outside environmental legal counsel for two national paper manufacturing companies, each of which has production facilities located throughout the United States.
Education and Honors
- University of Iowa College of Law (J.D., with highest distinction, 1977)
Iowa Law Review (Board of Editors, 1976-1977), Order of the Coif.
- Harvard University (M.P.A., 1974)
- University of Notre Dame (B.A., magna cum laude, 1969)
Bar Admissions
Wisconsin,
1977
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, 1977
U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 1977
U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, 1977
Professional Recognition
Martindale-Hubbell AV
® Peer Review Rated. AV rating signifies that the attorney is preeminent in a particular field of law practice, with significant accomplishments achieved at a high level of professional excellence.
American College of Environmental Lawyers (Elected Fellow, 2009).
Listed in
Chambers USA® (2010-present: Environmental Law).
Included in
The Best Lawyers in America® (1991-present: Energy Law / Environmental Law / Litigation - Environmental).
Named the 2012 Milwaukee Environmental Lawyer of the Year by
Best Lawyers in America®.
Named the
Best Lawyers® 2013 Milwaukee Energy Law “Lawyer of the Year.”
Received the 2012 “
Leaders in the Law” award from the
Wisconsin Law Journal. Selected for inclusion in the 2005-2008, 2010-2012
Wisconsin Super Lawyers® lists (Environmental).
Professional and Civic Activities
Member: State Bar of Wisconsin (Board of Directors, Environmental Law Section, 1990-1993); American Bar Association Air Quality Committee (Vice Chair, 1993-1999); American Bar Association Environmental Quality Committee (Vice Chair, 1990-1992); Milwaukee Bar Association; Wisconsin Air and Waste Management Association (Board of Directors); Wisconsin Environmental Law and Regulation Reporter (Advisory Board Member, 1992-1998); Environmental Law Institute; Wisconsin Environmental Working Group, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce Association (1995-2007).
Member: Steering Committee of the National Climate Change Law Forum, Charlottesville, VA (2010); Board of Directors of the Shorewood Foundation (2006-present); Village of Shorewood Board of Review, 1980-90 (Chairman, 1988-1990); Indo-Chinese Refugee Tutor Program (Advisory Board of Directors, 1988-1993); St. Robert Parish Finance Committee (1982-1986); Archbishop’s Stewardship Appeal (Parish Chair), 1990-2008; Downtown Milwaukee Kiwanis Club, 2002-2005; National Association of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers.