Michael Golz

Michael Golz is an associate in the Environmental & Public Lands Group. He specializes in high-stakes environmental litigation and regulatory matters under the Clean Water Act, CERCLA, RCRA, and other federal and state environmental laws. Michael has extensive experience with water reclamation and reuse projects and also helps clients navigate litigation and regulatory risks associated with emerging contaminants such as PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, and pharmaceuticals. He serves clients across a variety of industries, including mining, real estate development, energy, and water and wastewater management.

Prior to joining Davis Graham, Michael worked at Stanford Law School’s Environmental Law Clinic, where he focused on salmon habitat, endangered species, public lands, and water quality regulation. He also served as co-director of the school’s Environmental Law Pro Bono Project.

Michael received his J.D. from Stanford Law School and his M.S. from Stanford’s School of Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences, with a concentration in freshwater resources. He also holds a B.S. in Applied Mathematics-Economics from Brown University. 

Michael is a member of the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, where he serves on the Site Selection Committee. He maintains an active pro bono practice through the Montana Legal Services Association.

Representative Matters

• Defended a luxury real estate developer and operator in a Clean Water Act citizen suit related to reclaimed water reuse; second-chaired the jury trial, resulting in a complete defense verdict.
• Won summary judgment for a real estate developer in a Clean Water Act citizen suit and successfully argued the appeal before the Ninth Circuit.
• Represented a water and wastewater utility in CERCLA litigation and risk management related to PFAS in municipal water supplies.
• Defended Clean Water Act citizen suits against a public water and wastewater utility and a major ski resort, resulting in complete defense verdicts in federal jury trials (affirmed by the Ninth Circuit).
• Obtained dismissal of a Clean Water Act suit filed by the State of Washington against an international mining company.
• Advised a ski resort operator on permitting for a reclaimed water snowmaking project and successfully defended the permit in the Montana Supreme Court.
• Obtained dismissal of a state-law nuisance lawsuit against a public water and wastewater utility related to alleged water pollution and algal blooms.

 Publications & Presentations

• “The Topsy-Turvy World of Forever Chemicals: A Primer for the Real Estate Practitioner,” 41st Annual Colorado Real Estate Symposium (July 2023)
• “Army Corps Reissues and Revises Nationwide Permits under CWA Section 404 Program and NWP 12 Again Under Attack,” The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law, Natural Resources Law Insight (June 2022) (with Zach Miller) 
• “The Superfund Program Goes Green – Part III,” Davis Graham Clean Energy & Sustainability Group Newsletter (June 2022) 
• “The Superfund Program Goes Green – Part II,” Davis Graham Clean Energy & Sustainability Group Newsletter (February 2022)