Michael C. Ford

Bar Admissions

• Arizona

Court Admissions

• Supreme Court of Arizona

Education

• Washington University School of Law (J.D.)
• Washington University in St. Louis (M.S.)
• Brown University (B.A.)

Awards & Recognition

• The Best Lawyers in America^®, Environmental Law (2013-2026)
• Arizona Business Magazine, Arizona’s Top Lawyers (2012)
• Ranking Arizona: The Best of Arizona Attorneys, Environmental Law (2012)
• Valley Forward Association, Environmental Excellence Award Gibson Mine Project (2007)

Representative Matters

• Defended client against agency enforcement actions and completed a multimillion-dollar cleanup project involving contamination by historic mining operations
• Represented client in one of the largest CAA enforcement actions of its kind involving imported engines
• Represented global mining company in its divestiture of a large operational copper mine in Arizona, including bidder presentation, term negotiation, and permit transfers
• Represented client in CAA enforcement action relating to products containing imported engines where the government sought a multimillion-dollar penalty
• Represented copper mine against a state agency enforcement action alleging violations of groundwater protection, air emissions, and hazardous waste regulations
• Represented global metal recycler in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement action relating to refrigerant recycling regulations — also assisted the client in improving its compliance procedures nationally in order to meet regulatory requirements and avoid future liability

Previous Professional Experience

• Polsinelli PC, Shareholder
• Bryan Cave LLP, Partner

Professional Memberships and Activities

• Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers
  • President
• Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Arizona Mining Association
• Environmental Professionals of Arizona
  • President (2011-2013)
  • Gatekeeper Regulatory Roundup Planning Committee, Chairperson (2012-2013)
  • Chairman of the Board

Community Involvement

• Knights of Columbus
• Brown Alumni Schools Committee
• Starry Night Gala Committee
• APS Wills for Heroes

Representative Presentations and Publications

• “Title V Emergency Affirmative Defense Provision Reinstated by DC Circuit Court,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (September 9, 2025)
• “Freeing Agencies from Conflicting National Environmental Policy Act Regulations,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (July 8, 2025)
• “Waters of the U.S. Listening Session Complete, Revised WOTUS Definition on the Horizon,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (June 18, 2025)
• “U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposing Repeal of Energy-Related Regulations Impacting Energy Development,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (June 13, 2025)
• “U.S. Department of Interior’s Implementation of Emergency Permitting Procedures,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (May 7, 2025)
• “Listening Sessions Scheduled to Discuss Waters of the United States (WOTUS),” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (April 21, 2025)
• “President Trump Issues Executive Order on Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 24, 2025)
• “U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Announces 31 Actions,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 14, 2025)
• “Federal Agencies to Revise Waters of the United States Rule,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (March 13, 2025)
• “Trump Initiates an Investigation Into Potential National Security Threat of Copper Imports,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (February 28, 2025)
• “Revitalization of the Multiple Use Mandate,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (February 21, 2025)
• “Trump Issues Executive Order for Deregulation,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (February 17, 2025)
• “President Trump Takes Executive Actions to Address Drilling and Other Energy Reforms,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (February 17, 2025)
• “BLM Announces Actions to Improve Mine Permitting,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (January 22, 2025)
• “Mining Milestones: D.C. Circuit Upholds Key Mill Site Flexibility – What’s Next?” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (October 23, 2024)
• “Supreme Court curtails Clean Water Act wetlands protections,” Quoted, American Society of Civil Engineers (July 3, 2023)
• “Two Idaho Homeowners Finally Clarify Scope of Clean Water Act,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Legal Alert (May 30, 2023)
• “ADEQ Providing Assistance for Small Rural Water Systems,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (January 11, 2023)
• “Mining Industry on the Losing End of Two Clean Water Act Cases,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil & Gas Law Blog (November 21, 2022)
• “EPA’s Clean Power Plan Struck Down by SCOTUS,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil & Gas Law Blog (July 5, 2022)
• “Will the Sackett Test Clarify the Reach of Clean Water Act Jurisdiction?,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil & Gas Law Blog (January 29, 2022)
• “Back to the Future on WOTUS,” Presenter, Environmental Professionals of Arizona (EPAZ) Webinar (October 14, 2021)
• “Changes Coming to a Due Diligence Project Near You!” Author, Maricopa Lawyer Newsletter (May 2021)
• “Changes Coming Soon to a Due Diligence Project Near You!,” Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil & Gas Law Blog (March 31, 2021)
• “Environmental Issues Breakfast Hour – Air Quality Panel,” Speaker, Arizona Manufacturers Council Webinar (March 10, 2021)
• “States Challenge EPA’s COVID-19 Enforcement Policy,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (June 2, 2020)
• “Maintaining Environmental Compliance During COVID-19,” Presenter, State Bar of Arizona Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section Webinar (April 21, 2020)
• “EPA Announces COVID-19 Interim Field Work Guidance,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (April 14, 2020)
• “ADEQ Issues COVID-19 Memo of Compliance & Enforcement,” Co-Author, Snell & Wilmer Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (April 3, 2020)
• “EPA Announces Enforcement Discretion Policy for Noncompliance Caused by COVID-19,” Author, S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (March 27, 2020)
• “OSHA Provides Guidance and Resources in Wake of COVID-19 Pandemic,” Author, S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (March 18, 2020)
• “Cooperative Federalism and the Clean Water Act: The States Finally Get their Due,” Co-Author, S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (February 14, 2020)
• “Forever Chemicals (PFAS) Start New Decade With Flurry of Scrutiny,” Co-Author, S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (January 24, 2020)
• “‘Shocking,’ ‘Blockbuster’ Rosemont Mine Ruling has National Implications, Experts Say,” Quoted, Arizona Daily Star (August 10, 2019)
• “Rosemont Project FEIS, ROD and Unpatented Mining Claims Dealt Blow by Arizona District Court,” Co-Author, S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (August 2, 2019)
• “Water Quality Law Update,” Presenter, Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section, State Bar of Arizona Annual Convention (June 26, 2019)
• “Water Quality Law Update,” Presenter, Environmental Professionals of Arizona Monthly Meeting (April 11, 2019)
• “Double Trouble for Vehicle and Equipment Imports: EPA and Customs Continue Vigorous Port Inspection and Enforcement Program” S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (March 19, 2019)
• “Water Quality Law Update,” Presenter, 15th Annual Environmental Professionals of Arizona Conference (March 7, 2019)
• “EPA Catches Up On PFAS,” Co-Author, S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (February 14, 2019)
• “Shutdown Reflections on WOTUS,” Author, JD Supra (January 24, 2019)
• “Trump’s Regulatory Reform Initiatives Meet the Endangered Species Act,” Author, S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (July 20, 2018)
• “Epic WOTUS Thriller for your Summer Reading List,” Author, S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (July 6, 2018)
• “Environmental Considerations in Real Estate Transactions,” Speaker, National Business Institute, Real Estate Transactions from A to Z, Phoenix, AZ (May 21, 2018)
• “Clean Water Act Update – 2018 Gatekeeper Regulatory Roundup,” Speaker, Phoenix, AZ (March 22, 2018)
• “ADEQ Considers Seeking Primacy for the Clean Water Act 404 and Safe Drinking Water Act Underground Injection Control Programs” S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (December 5, 2017)
• “True Crime Stories in Environmental Law” Keynote Speaker, Southern Arizona Management Society, Tucson, AZ (November 29, 2017)
• “Up to the Minute Synopsis of Clean Water Act Jurisdiction Developments” S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (November 20, 2017)
• “Environmental Due Diligence for Real Estate Transactions,” Speaker, National Business Institute, Real Estate Boot Camp (June 6, 2017)
• “Regulatory Burdens On Retailers Continue to Evolve” S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (November 17, 2016)
• “Industry, NGOs, Republicans, and Democrats Bond over Chemistry” S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (June 24, 2016)
• “EPA Revs Up Engine Emissions Enforcement Program” S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog (October 12, 2015)
• “Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management (EHMM),” Presenter, Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP) (August 28, 2015)
• “Gibson Mine: A historic restoration by the Friars,” Co-Author, Mining Engineering Magazine, Volume 67 Issue 8 (August 2015)
• “EPA’s Proposed Navigable Waters Rule,” Presenter, Environmental Professionals of Arizona Monthly Luncheon Meeting (September 11, 2014)
• “Proposed Rule Expands Scope of Waters Covered by Clean Water Act,” Author, Journal of Environmental Management, Volume 12, Number 3, page 7 (June/July 2014)
• “California’s Proposition 65 (Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986),” Speaker, Arizona Manufacturers Council and Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Environmental & Sustainability Summit, Prescott, Arizona (August 2012)
• “Chemical Release Reporting Requirements” The Most Frequently Asked Questions in Environmental Law – American Bar Association, 2nd edition, Co-Author (2011)
• “The Environmental Appeals Process: What You Should Know,” Speaker, EPA Appeals Issues: What All Lawyers Should Know About the Environmental Appeals Process, Maricopa County Bar Association (May 2011)
• “CERCLA’s Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser Defense,” Speaker, Strafford Webinar, Environmental Bankers Association, Arizona Chamber of Commerce (March-May 2011)
• “Environmental Law 101,” Conference Chair and Speaker, Seventh Annual Gatekeepers Regulatory Roundup (February 2011)
• “Alumni Profile – Due Diligence: Attorney Counsels Clients on Environmental Compliance” Washington University Law Magazine (Fall 2009)
• “The Ninth Circuit’s Impairment of Arizona Water Quality,” Arizona Hydrological Society Surface Water Session, Arizona Department of Water Resources (May 2008)
• “Renewable Energy Incentives – The Business Impacts and Opportunities of Climate Change Initiatives” National Business Institute, Phoenix, Arizona (April 2008)
• “Friars Who Owned Polluted Mine Get All Sorts of Help: They Risked Costly Fines over Arizona Toxic Waste; Prayer and a Good Lawyer,” Quoted, The Wall Street Journal (April 2007)
• “Arizona NPDES Program Update,” Arizona Association of Industries, Phoenix, Arizona (2007)
• “Working With Environmental Attorneys and Consultants” Gatekeeper Regulatory Roundup, Phoenix, Arizona (2007)
• “Accidental Spill Reporting Requirements” Gatekeeper Regulatory Roundup Phoenix, Arizona (2005-2007)
• “New Aquifer Protection Permit Requirements,” Arizona Association of Industries , 14th Annual AAI Environmental Summit, Tucson, Arizona (August 2005)
• “Redevelopment of Contaminated Property,” Presenter, Lorman Education Services, Conference on Brownfields Redevelopment and City of Phoenix Brownfields University, Phoenix, Arizona (2004-2005)
• “New Real Estate Due Diligence Standards,” Presenter, State Bar of Arizona Conference, Tucson, Arizona (June 2004)
• ACHMM Overview Course, multiple presentations on topics including the Clean Water Act, Instructor,  CERCLA and FIFRA, Phoenix, Arizona (2003-2006)
• “Pre-Acquisition Coverage for Environmental Liabilities: An Analysis of the Ongoing Dispute” Environmental Law Reporter (May 2002)
• “The Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act: Real Relief or Prolonged Pain?” Environmental Law Reporter (April 2002)
• “Transactions Update – The New Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser Defense Under CERCLA” State Bar of Arizona Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section Newsletter (April 2002)
• “Superfund Recycling Equity Act – CERCLA Liability Protection for Generators of Recyclable Materials,” Arizona Association of Industries Environmental Summit, Prescott, Arizona (August 2001)
• “Ethical Duties of Attorneys and Consultants” CLE International Environmental Seminars, Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque (1999-2003)
• “Reconciling Environmental Liability Standards after Iverson and Bestfoods” Environmental Law Reporter (1999)
• “The Most Commonly Asked Questions in Environmental Law” Maricopa County Bar Association, Co-Editor (Spring 1999)
• “The Continuing Evolution of Parent and Successor Corporation” Liability Under CERCLA, St. Louis Bar Journal (Summer 1998)