Michael Graves, who has been with Hall Estill since 1980, is Of Counsel with the firm and his expertise is Environmental Law. He provides advice to industrial and oil and gas companies concerning compliance with environmental laws and regulations. He has handled matters in 28 states and 4 foreign countries, and he is a frequent presenter at environmental law seminars. Specific experience includes:
- Coordinating environmental due diligence efforts nationwide for a major industrial client
- Obtaining the first federal district court judgment holding a transporter liable under CERCLA for selecting the disposal site for its customers
- Defending a billion dollar class action toxic tort case
- Coordinating environmental impact statements for major interstate pipeline projects
- Coordinating the endangered species and cultural resources reviews for a large wind energy project
- Designing and implementing environmental compliance audit programs for several industrial clients
- Appearing in cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and seven U.S. Courts of Appeals
Michael served in the U.S. Navy Reserves from 1969-1974 and was active duty in 1970 and 1971.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Washington University School of Law (J.D., Order of the Coif, 1973)
- University of Tulsa (M.A. in International Relations, 1969)
- University of Tulsa (B.A. in History and Political Science, with honors, 1967)
Admissions
- Oklahoma (1973)
- Oklahoma Supreme Court
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky
- U.S. District Court of the Northern and Western Districts of Oklahoma
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Ninth, Tenth and District of Columbia Circuits
- United States Supreme Court
Experience
- 1980 - Present Hall Estill
- 1978 - 1980 Private practice in Louisville, Kentucky
- 1973 - 1977 United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
Honors & Awards
- Recipient of the "Homecoming 2014 Distinguished Alumnus" by the University of Tulsa
- Recognized as Best Lawyers' Tulsa Lawyer of the Year in Environmental Law in 2014, 2016 and 2021
- Recognized as the Best Lawyers' Tulsa Lawyer of the Year in Litigation-Environmental in 2020
- Recognized as an Oklahoma Super Lawyer in Environmental Law and Environmental Litigation
- Recognized as a Best Lawyer in America in Environmental Law and Litigation-Environmental
Community & Professional Involvement
- Former Chair and Current Member of the Hazardous Waste Advisory Council of the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality
- Former President, University of Tulsa Alumni Association
- Former President, Leadership Tulsa
- Leadership Oklahoma, Former Board Member
- Tulsa Ballet, Former Board Member
- American Bar Association
- Oklahoma Bar Association - Member, Environmental Law Section
- Tulsa County Bar Association
Articles & Presentations
- Author, "Oklahoma" Chapter of Brownfields: A Comprehensive Guide to Redeveloping Contaminated Properties, 2d. Ed. (ABA 2001)
- Author, "Oklahoma" Chapter of Environmental Law Practice Guide (1996, Matthew Bender)