Michael C. Ford, Counsel at our Phoenix law office
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Michael C. Ford

Counsel
Biography

Mike Ford has more than 25 years of experience working with clients ranging from religious orders to global corporations in navigating the complex web of environmental and workplace safety issues impacting industrial operations and commercial transactions. Mike has worked with businesses including miners, manufacturers, recyclers, metal platers, developers and retailers on regulatory compliance, enforcement defense and mitigating liability risks associated with corporate and real estate transactions. He has handled matters under all of the major federal environmental, health and safety statutes, including the CAA, CWA, CERCLA, EPCRA, FIFRA, MSHA, OSHA, and RCRA, as well as many key state environmental laws, including Arizona’s APP and California’s Prop 65.

Mike has helped clients efficiently resolve their government enforcement issues using voluntary disclosures, administrative settlement agreements and judicial consent decrees. He has managed environmental due diligence and negotiations in deals involving everything from mom-and-pop drycleaners to large scale mining facilities. Mike has worked extensively on issues impacting the mining industry, including groundwater and surface water permitting and compliance, chemical reporting, release response, closure operations and public land use issues, including mineral rights issues, and working with federal and state surface owners. He also has considerable experience in mobile source emissions compliance and enforcement defense, particularly regarding Chinese engine and vehicle imports. His experience in Brownfields development includes project feasibility analysis and due diligence, contract negotiation, voluntary cleanup programs, tax credit qualification, remediation oversight and consultant management, environmental insurance and obtaining regulatory closure approval.

Mike is a Missouri transplant, and has lived in Arizona for over 20 years. Mike is a lucky parent of triplets (plus one!) and spends his free time on the ice playing hockey, hiking throughout the state, and skiing whenever possible.

Credentials

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.)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Environmental Law (2013-2025)
  • Arizona’s Top Lawyers, Arizona Business Magazine (2012)
  • Ranking Arizona: The Best of Arizona Attorneys, Environmental Law (2012)
  • Environmental Excellence Award Gibson Mine Project, Valley Forward Association (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 Clean Air Act 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 Clear Air Act 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 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