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Mike Linder has over 35 years of experience in environmental law. His experience covers all aspects of environmental regulation, permitting, compliance, and policy.

Before joining Koley Jessen, Mike served as the Governor-appointed Director of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) from 1999 through 2013. The NDEQ (now known as the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy) administers and enforces all environmental laws in Nebraska. Prior to becoming Director, Mike served as the NDEQ’s Legal Counsel for ten years. His experience includes state, local, and federal environmental laws dealing with water quality, air quality, groundwater, and waste management. Mike has worked closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the regional and national level. He has been a leader locally and nationally on environmental issues and policy.

Since joining Koley Jessen, Mike has handled numerous compliance and permitting matters as well as strategic consultation on environmental requirements and trends. He has also supported Koley Jessen’s transactional practice groups on environmental due diligence issues. Mike is a Fellow of the American College of Environmental Lawyers and was named "Lawyer of the Year" in Omaha by Best Lawyers® in 2023 for his work in Environmental Law.

Experience

Experience

  • Complex air quality permit consultations and interaction with the permitting agency
  • Complex wastewater discharge permit (NPDES) consultation and interaction with the permitting agency
  • Pretreatment permit (NPDES) relating to food processing industry consultation and interaction with permitting agency
  • Livestock regulation and permitting including negotiation of a Consent Order to allow construction and operation
  • Negotiated settlement of Clean Air Act Risk Management Plan (RMP) violations with EPA
  • Negotiation of hazardous waste management (RCRA) violations in a manufacturing setting with EPA
  • Negotiation of hazardous waste violations (RCRA) for storage of used oil in Iowa
  • Negotiated settlement in Nebraska Department of Agriculture pesticide disposal matter
  • Negotiated settlement in US Department of Transportation hazardous materials matter
  • Numerous underground petroleum storage tank and cleanup fund reimbursement matters
  • Complex air quality permit related to foundry emissions consultation and interaction with permitting agency
  • Consulted and advised, along with criminal defense co-counsel, issues related to EPA search warrant execution and investigation
  • Remediation requirements and process for cleanup of sites
  • Support Merger and Acquisition and Real Estate Practice Groups on environmental due diligence matters in numerous transactions across the United States including understanding environmental requirements at newly acquired businesses
  • Representation in securing variances from regulatory provisions
  • Consultation and strategic advice relating to regulatory uncertainty and understanding the regulatory process and trends

News & Publications

Speaking Engagements

  • , 09.20.2023
  • , 11.13.2018
  • Update on ‘Waters of the United States’ (WOTUS) Rule
    , 11.21.2017
  • Environmental Law
    , 6.16.2017 and 10.4.2017
  • Representations and Warranties Insurance (RWl) and Environmental Compliance
    , 05.18.2017
  • Nebraska Water Quality
    , 10.21.2016
  • Trends in Water Quality Law and Policy
    , 08.24.2016
  • Environmental Issues in Construction Projects, Construction Law Seminar
    , 11.17.2015
  • Waters of the U.S.
    , 10.28.2015
  • You Found Out WHAT About My Company on the Web?
    , 10.21.2015
  • Federal Impacts on Water Law, Nebraska Water Law Conference
    , 03.20.2015

Honors & Affiliations

Honors & Awards

The Best Lawyers in America®, Environmental Law, 2018-2024
Best Lawyers® Environmental Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Omaha, 2023
Omaha Magazine Top Lawyers of Omaha, Environmental Law, 2021
Fellow, American College of Environmental Lawyers

 

Community & Professional

Natural Resources and Environmental Law Section, Nebraska State Bar Association, Past Chair
Nebraska State Bar Foundation, Fellow
Nebraska Land Trust, Board Member and Vice Chairperson
Keep Nebraska Beautiful, Board Member
Nebraska Industrial Council on the Environment (NICE), Past President
Humanities Nebraska Council, Past Board Member
Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), Past President
Environmental Research Institute of the States (ERIS), Past President

Education

J.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1983

B.S., University of South Dakota, 1980

  • Political Science

Admissions

  • State of Nebraska
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