BBK Expands Environmental & Natural Resources and Water Practice Groups with Strategic Additions

Best Best & Krieger LLP (BBK) is proud to announce Michael Brain, partner and director of government affairs, and Gary Gold, of counsel have joined the firm. These distinguished legal professionals bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to BBK’s Environmental & Natural Resources and Water practice groups. 

“We are excited to welcome Michael and Gary to the team,” said Joe Byrne, Environmental & Natural Resources practice group leader. “Their combined leadership is invaluable as we continue to expand our capabilities in environmental and natural resources law and further enhances the services available to our public agency clients.” 

Michael Brain joins BBK as a partner with a strong background in legislative strategy, public policy, and regulatory affairs, particularly at the intersection of government and environmental law. As director of government affairs, he will also play a pivotal role in helping clients navigate the complex landscape of state and federal environmental regulations, while advancing BBK’s strategic presence in public policy matters. 

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 our 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, building a bipartisan reputation working with congressional offices and stakeholders to address their needs. He also drafted authorizing legislation for the Corps and the United States Environmental Protection Agency as Counsel for the House Committee on Transportation 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.

Gary Gold, of counsel, is an attorney and engineer with nearly two decades of experience as a water professional. Gary’s insight and counsel strengthens BBK’s capacity to address pressing issues related to water scarcity, the water-energy nexus, and regulatory compliance matters involving the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and other federal laws affecting the use of natural resources. 

Drawing on his background in civil engineering, environmental engineering, and law, Gary guides public agencies and Tribal Nations in advancing water and energy projects through complex legal and regulatory environments. Gary also has a record of success in leading multiparty negotiations to settle water rights disputes. 

Before joining BBK, Gary served on the leadership team at Interior where he led the Bureau of Reclamation in multiparty water rights negotiations—in the Colorado River Basin and other basins throughout the west—and in advancing significant water infrastructure projects. 

Gary has extensive experience working at the intersection of water and energy. Prior to his time at Interior, Gary served as a natural resources attorney for Salt River Project, a major water and power provider for communities in central Arizona. Gary has also served on both sides of the aisle in the U.S. Senate as an advisor on water and energy issues. 

Prior to practicing law, Gary served as a water resources engineer for Austin Water, the retail water provider for the City of Austin, where he led resource planning and compliance initiatives relating to water and energy. Gary is a former National Science Foundation scholar and conducted research, published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, on the water-energy nexus.

Learn more about Michael Brain and Gary Gold online.