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Practice Areas

Industries

Education

University of Michigan Law School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
J.D., 1979

Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan
M.A., 1971

Harvard College
Cambridge, Massachusetts
B.A., 1970

Bar Admissions

Michigan

Court Admissions

All Michigan state courts

Energy and Environmental Attorney

Bruce practices energy law and environmental law. His energy background includes negotiating electric power sales agreements (both for wholesale sellers of energy and for retail consumers of energy), state electric rate cases, developing municipal energy tariffs and renewable energy project structuring and permitting. For years, he published a blog focused on alternative and renewable energy developments in Michigan. Most recently he has been involved in various alternative energy projects, including wind, biofuels and solar projects.

His environmental experience includes air quality permitting work, compliance counseling on air emissions, state and federal environmental enforcement issues and environmental management program development. The air quality work requires a comprehensive understanding the Federal Clean Air Act as it applies to stationary sources of air emissions, as well as a working knowledge of the options pursued by states in reducing stationary source emissions in ozone and particulate non-attainment areas.  

Bruce was the author of the Watt’s New? Michigan Energy News monthly newsletter from 2008 – 2014 and was named a “Thought Leader in the Law” for his work with clients in the energy industry. He is the principal organizer for the Ford Energy Lecture series held in Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor, and has also been named to Michigan’s Energy Innovator Hall of Fame by the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council.

Experience

Bruce has given numerous presentations each year on energy issues, as well as moderating energy panels. He has also presented on air quality issues, as well as participating in Air and Waste Management Association programs, and other environmental trade association programs.

In 2008, he served on two technical workgroups supporting Michigan’s Climate Action Council. Bruce is a founding member of West Michigan Energy. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Energy Innovation Council and the Board of Directors of the Institute for Energy Innovation.

Honors and Recognitions

Best Lawyers in America®, Environmental Law, since 2010

Grand Rapids Business Journal©, Thought Leader in the Law, 2010

Grand Rapids Magazine’s Top Lawyers, Energy Law, 2019  2022; Environmental Law 2023

Leading Lawyers, Energy Law

Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council, Energy Innovator Hall of Fame, 2014

Professional Affiliations

American Wind Energy Association

American Bar Association: Natural Resources Section; Energy and Environmental Law Section

Institute for Energy Innovation, Board of Directors member

Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council; Secretary, Executive Committee member

Michigan Manufacturers Association, Air Quality Subcommittee

Solar Energy Industries Association

State Bar of Michigan, Environmental  Law Section

Community Involvement

Cascade Township Bike Path Millage Committee, past co-chair

Harvard Club of West Michigan, Schools’ Committee

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