On July 15, the Institute for Energy Law (IEL) elected Principal Mike Vitris (Austin) to their 6th Leadership Class. This prestigious program recognizes energy professionals from a range of professions, giving them an opportunity to increase their knowledge of leadership, communication, diversity, and the energy industry. Mike is one of 40 accomplished energy professionals selected to take place in this year's course. 

"I’m glad to have been selected for the Institute for Energy Law’s 6th Leadership Class. IEL’s vision and mission to provide superior educational and professional opportunities aligns perfectly with B&D’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of energy law. I look forward to engaging in meaningful dialogues, learning from the best in the industry, and contributing to the advancement of energy law. I can’t wait to get to work with this excellent group of energy lawyers from across the country and bring back valuable insights to our firm and clients." - Mike Vitris

Mike has a national practice guiding companies through ever-changing energy regulations, and supporting clients in Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) actions, environmental mass torts and class actions, and federal citizen suits. He partners with his clients to create and execute litigation strategies in some of the largest and most complex CERCLA and environmental tort cases in federal and state courts across the country. Mike leverages his experience as an attorney with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to help clients prevent environmental violations or resolve civil and administrative enforcement actions favorably.

In 2022, Mike was named Texas Rising Star in Environmental Litigation by Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, and was also recognized in Environmental Litigation by The Legal 500.

B&D Principals Roy Prather and Megan Morgan (Baltimore), and Associate Brett Miller (Austin) were also members of previous IEL Leadership classes.