Michael B. Gerrard
Professor of Professional Practice
Assistant Info
Courses/Current Research• Environmental Law
• Climate Change Law
• Energy Law
Education• J.D., New York University School of Law, 1978
• B.A., political science, Columbia University, 1972
Media Contact:Public Affairs, (212) 854-2650.
Detailed Biography:Michael B. Gerrard teaches courses on environmental law, climate change law, and energy law, and is director of the
Center for Climate Change Law, effective January 1, 2009. From 1979 through 2008 he practiced environmental law in New York, most recently as managing partner of the New York office of Arnold & Porter LLP. Upon joining the Columbia law faculty, he became Senior Counsel to the firm. His practice involved trying numerous cases and arguing many appeals in federal and state courts and administrative tribunals, handling the environmental aspects of numerous transactions and development projects, and providing regulatory compliance advice to a wide variety of clients in the private and public sectors.
A prolific writer in environmental law and climate change, Gerrard twice received the Association of American Publishers' Best Law Book award for works on environmental law and brownfields. He has written or edited seven books, including
Global Climate Change and U.S. Law, the leading work in its field. Since 1986 he has been an environmental law columnist for the
New York Law Journal.
Gerrard was the 2004-2005 chair of the American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy and Resources. He also chaired the Executive Committee of the New York City Bar Association, and the Environmental Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. Several independent rating services ranked Gerrard as one of the leading environmental lawyers in the world.
Gerrard has taught courses at Columbia University School of Law, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and New York University Law School. He has also
lectured on environmental law in Great Britain, France, Netherlands, China, India, Canada, and throughout the United States.
