We’re pleased to announce that Michael Creswell has joined Jones Fortuna as Senior Counsel.

Michael brings nearly 20 years of federal environmental regulatory experience, having served in senior legal roles at both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Most recently, Michael was Chief of the Water Law Section for EPA Region 4, where he oversaw the implementation and enforcement of federal water programs across eight southeastern states and six federally recognized tribes. He led high-impact initiatives, including restoration of Jackson, Mississippi’s water system; negotiation and implementation of complex consent decrees for municipal wastewater systems; and Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act permitting and enforcement.

At the Corps, Michael served as deputy district counsel in Mobile, acting division counsel in the Northwestern Division, and in the Office of Counsel at Corps Headquarters. There, he helped shape national policy governing water supply reallocations and led groundbreaking efforts to protect archeological resources. He has led water control manual updates in contested interstate river basins. And he has overseen the permitting for complex projects, including major navigation improvements in Mobile Harbor.

Having successfully led the people who administer the EPA and the Corps’ programs for the past twenty years – including the Clean Water Act, NEPA, Safe Drinking Water Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, and Endangered Species Act – Michael is uniquely positioned to help clients navigate today’s rapidly evolving regulatory regime.