Mike Zody is the chair of Parsons Behle & Latimer's Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources practice teams. Mike is a seasoned environmental and compliance litigator with more than 30 years' experience who helps mining and industrial clients present their best strategic position in administrative, and state and federal court proceedings. His expertise includes rulemaking challenges, enforcement defense and permit defense cases.

Capabilities

Biography

Mike Zody is the chair of Parsons Behle & Latimer’s Energy, Environmental and Natural Resources practice teams. He is also a member of the Litigation, Trials and Appeals and Employment and Labor practice teams.

Environmental Practice:

With more than 30 years of experience, Mike's environmental practice spans the full range of environmental and natural resources litigation and covers state and local administrative proceedings, federal administrative proceedings, and state and federal court actions. Mike's practice focuses on defending civil and criminal enforcement actions, toxic tort defense, environmental property damage litigation, citizens’ suits, permit defense actions, administrative agency litigation and other aspects of environmental litigation. His recent areas of focus have included complex Clean Air Act litigation and defense of permit appeals, defense of several complex environmental criminal enforcement matters, NEPA cases, multiple rulemaking and permit challenge hearings before administrative agencies and defending IBLA appeals. His practice also encompasses EPA rulemaking challenges in the federal circuit courts of appeal, including the D.C. Circuit where he is admitted and has argued.

Employment Practice:

Mike's employment practice focuses on litigation and defense of employers in lawsuits before administrative agencies and state and federal courts. His areas of practice include ADA, ADEA, Title VII, OSHA and MSHA. Mike has developed a specialty in whistleblower and retaliation cases. He also handles internal investigations and independent investigations.

Mike has been heavily involved in the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Utah State Bar, serving in every position and ultimately holding the title of chair of the Section for 1999 - 2000.

Mike is listed in Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA.

Experience

First Ever in the US CERCLA Off-Site Rule Reconsideration Hearing

In a first-ever reconsideration appeal of a CERCLA Off-Site Rule Determination to a Regional Administrator, Mike successfully convinced the EPA Region 8 Administrator to modify an adverse Off-Site Rule Unacceptability Determination. The result allowed the client to begin accepting off-site wastes after having been precluded from doing so for several months.

Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Project

Assisted on an environmental, social and governance (ESG) project for the San Juan County Clean Energy Foundation LLC to establish a fund designed to contribute to the near communities.

Obtained First-Ever Variance from a Utah OSHA Standard

Assisted a large manufacturing client in securing the first-ever variance granted by Utah OSHA through an administrative process wherein Parsons convinced Utah OSHA that the client’s alternative safety practices were equally protective as the mandated practice applicable under the regulations.

Accomplishments

Academic

Indiana University (J.D., cum laude, 1990)

Purdue University, (B.A., 1987)

Professional

United Way of Salt Lake 2010 Young Leaders Member of the Year

Extensive Pro Bono work, past Salt Lake County Bar

Association Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year

2007 Child Advocate of the Year, awarded by Voices for Utah Children

2008 Outstanding Domestic Violence Service Partner, awarded by Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake

Listed in Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA

Recognized in Utah Business Magazine’s 2023 Legal Elite

Best Lawyers in America 2019 "Lawyer of the Year" for Labor Law - Management, Salt Lake City

Associations

Professional

American Bar Association,
Environment, Energy and Resources, and Litigation Sections
Member

Community

Chair, Environmental Committee, Utah Manufacturers Association

Member, Board of Directors, Voices for Utah Children - 2018-2022

United Way of Salt Lake

Board of Directors, Past Member

Impact Council, Past Co-Chair

Public Policy Committee, Past Chair

Young Leaders, Past Chair

Insights

Credentials

Licensed

U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit
Utah
U.S. Dist. Court, Dist. of Utah

Education

Indiana University, Maurer School of Law