Partner and Director of Government Affairs
Michael Brain
Michael Brain is a Director of Best Best & Krieger LLP’s (BBK) Government Affairs practice group and Partner in BBK’s Environment & Natural Resources Law practice group. He uses his extensive federal water policy experience to counsel clients facing water infrastructure challenges, offering keen insights into budget and appropriations, water resources, energy and environment issues.
Prior to joining BBK, Michael served in the senior leadership of U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior) and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). As Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at Interior, Michael advised the Secretary of the Interior on matters of water and science policy and was responsible for Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey. As Reclamation’s Deputy Commissioner, Michael worked to increase resiliency and improve the Nation’s western water infrastructure through significant strategic federal investment and targeted policy measures. While serving at Interior, Michael championed cross-agency coordination of federal water policy programs to ensure efficient implementation and the inclusion of stakeholder priorities.
Michael also spent over a decade working in senior roles at the U.S. House of Representatives. As Professional Staff for the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, he crafted funding legislation and oversaw budgets for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and Reclamation and built a bipartisan reputation working with congressional offices and stakeholders to address their needs. He also drafted authorizing legislation for the Corps and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as Counsel for the House Transporation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. In these roles he was responsible for working with Members of Congress their staff, and other stakeholders, on key policy initiatives related to national water infrastructure programs.
Outside of the office, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife, Shawn, and their four children.
Prior to joining BBK, Michael served in the senior leadership of U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior) and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation). As Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at Interior, Michael advised the Secretary of the Interior on matters of water and science policy and was responsible for Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey. As Reclamation’s Deputy Commissioner, Michael worked to increase resiliency and improve the Nation’s western water infrastructure through significant strategic federal investment and targeted policy measures. While serving at Interior, Michael championed cross-agency coordination of federal water policy programs to ensure efficient implementation and the inclusion of stakeholder priorities.
Michael also spent over a decade working in senior roles at the U.S. House of Representatives. As Professional Staff for the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, he crafted funding legislation and oversaw budgets for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and Reclamation and built a bipartisan reputation working with congressional offices and stakeholders to address their needs. He also drafted authorizing legislation for the Corps and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as Counsel for the House Transporation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. In these roles he was responsible for working with Members of Congress their staff, and other stakeholders, on key policy initiatives related to national water infrastructure programs.
Outside of the office, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife, Shawn, and their four children.
Thought Leadership
Presentations
- “Nexus of Energy and Water Sustainability Coordination,” National Academies Enabling DOE Regional Energy-Water Technology Pilots First Meeting, January 2025
- “White House Clean Water Summit,” Participant, April, 2024
- “Nation-to-Nation Talks with Tribal Agency and Agency Leadership,” White House Tribal Nations Summit, December, 2023
- “Funding the Future of Water,” Colorado River Water Users Association, December 2022
Education & Admissions
Education
Saint Louis University School of Law
J.D., concentration in urban development & environmental law
Boston College
B.A., political science, environmental studies
Languages
English