Atty. Michael C. Powell
Michael was named Maryland “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America® for Environmental Law in 2025, 2019, 2016 and 2014 and “Lawyer of the Year” for Environmental Litigation 2017. He has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America® in this region for more than two decades.
Environmental Law & More Attorney · Serving Baltimore, MD · 47+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Michael C. Powell at a Glance
Michael C. Powell is a litigation and environmental attorney based in Baltimore, Maryland, practicing at Gordon Feinblatt Llc. They have 47+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1979. Admitted to practice in Virginia, Virginia State Bar (1979) and Maryland, Maryland State Bar Association (1979). Educated at University of Virginia (J.D., 1979) and University of Virginia (B.A., 1976). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Environmental (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Serves clients in Baltimore, MD and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Michael C. Powell
- Michael was named Maryland “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America® for Environmental Law in 2025, 2019, 2016 and 2014 and “Lawyer of the Year” for Environmental Litigation 2017
- He has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America® in this region for more than two decades
- Michael has also been named a Maryland Super Lawyer®
- He received the 2023 F. Patrick Hughes Award of Excellence from NAIOP for his work representing business interests during the drafting of Maryland’s Climate Change legislation and regulations and was named to the Daily Records list of Influential Marylanders in 2022
- Michael has the highest possible rating in Martindale-Hubbell (established by peer review) and was a founding member and the first elected Chair of the Environmental Section of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA)
- 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 Larry 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 developing 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 Daily Record and received a Professional Service Award in 2011 for his pro bono work from the Maryland Fuel Fund
Practice Areas Explained
Michael C. Powell's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael C. Powell handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Baltimore.
Civil Litigation in Baltimore
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Michael C. Powell is one of 450,750 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Maryland →
Environmental Law in Baltimore
Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.
Michael C. Powell is one of 55,977 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in Maryland →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Baltimore
Practicing law in Maryland. Legal matters in Maryland are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Baltimore are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Maryland state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Maryland brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Maryland courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Baltimore Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Baltimore-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Maryland attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Baltimore or all attorneys in Maryland.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Baltimore Choose Michael C. Powell
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Michael C. Powell's practice in the field of litigation and environmental.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Michael C. Powell brings 47+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Virginia, Virginia State Bar and Maryland, Maryland State Bar Association, Michael C. Powell can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering litigation and environmental, Michael C. Powell can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Baltimore
A Baltimore-based practice means Michael C. Powell attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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Michael C. Powell's Practice Areas & Specializations
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