Bernstein Shur's Jeff Thaler is Founding Member of New National Association of Environmental Attorneys

The American College of Environmental Lawyers aims to improve and strengthen the practice of environmental law

PORTLAND, Maine - Bernstein Shur’s Jeffrey A. Thaler is a founding member of The American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL), a newly-formed national professional association with the goal of bringing together lawyers distinguished by their experience and high standards in the practice of environmental law.
The national organization has 23 founding members from across the U.S. Thaler is the only member from Maine.

“Some of the best known and most experienced environmental lawyers from across the nation are coming together to form this new college, the first of its kind in environmental law,” said Rick Glick, newly elected president of ACOEL. “Forming the College will allow us to build a strong fellowship, share best practices and continue to strengthen this thriving practice area.”

Thaler has earned the reputation as one of Northern New England’s leading environmental lawyers. In addition to serving on the organization’s Board of Regents, he will serve as the ACOEL’s Program Committee Chair.

Membership in ACOEL is by election only, and eligibility is limited to those who are recognized as leaders in their field and have predominantly practiced environmental law for 15 years or longer. More information, including the latest national and local environmental legal news, is posted on the ACOEL’s blog at www.acoel.org.

“The American College of Environmental Lawyers will strengthen environmental law practice and strive to maintain the high standards of practitioners in this field,” Thaler said. “Each member is a leader and an accomplished legal practitioner, which will help the College and the profession achieve those objectives.”

In addition to holding annual meetings, ACOEL will sponsor educational programs to reinforce the quality of environmental practice. The first one, organized by Thaler and to be held January 31, 2008 in Miami, is entitled "Climate Change, Wind Power and Coal –Major Environmental and Energy Challenges for 2008."

Thaler, a senior member of Bernstein Shur's Energy, Environmental, and Litigation Practice Groups, has a wide-ranging practice that includes environmental and energy permitting, compliance, enforcement and litigation, as well as litigation for clients with commercial and legal disputes, insurance coverage, personal injury, or toxic tort problems.

He has been recognized for 19 years by Best Lawyers in America for his work in environmental and natural resources law, and in recent years by Chambers USA for his environmental and litigation practices. Thaler is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell and is the 2007 recipient of the Justice Louis Scolnik Award for his years of pro bono civil liberties litigation work.

In addition to a number of high profile litigation cases, representing clients in Maine and other states, Thaler serves as legal counsel for wind and hydropower, LNG, and wood-to-biofuel projects. He also represents many clients on compliance and enforcement matters. He was the lead author of The Maine Environmental Law Handbook, and has taught environmental law at the University of Maine Law School.

A resident of Yarmouth, Thaler is a 1977 graduate of the Yale University School of Law and a 1974 magna cum laude graduate of Williams College.

About The American College of Environmental Lawyers
The American College of Environmental Lawyers is a professional association of lawyers distinguished by their experience and high standards in the practice of environmental law. Its members are dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards of the practice of environmental law, the administration of justice and the ethics of the profession and contributing to the development of environmental law. More information can be found on its blog at www.acoel.org.

About Bernstein Shur
Bernstein Shur is one of northern New England’s largest multi-service law firms, with more than 90 attorneys in offices in Maine and New Hampshire. Founded in 1915, the firm provides practical and innovative counsel in the areas of business law, litigation, and municipal law to clients throughout the region and around the world. Bernstein Shur is Maine's exclusive member of Lex Mundi, the world's leading association of independent law firms. For more information, visit bernsteinshur.com.

# # #