Contact:
Jennifer R. Rupkey
Director, Client Development
Direct Dial: 414.225.8262
E-Mail: jrrupkey@michaelbest.com
Madison, WI – The law firm of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP is pleased to announce Leah Hurtgen Ziemba has joined the firm as an associate in its Madison office, effective May 31, 2011. Ms. Ziemba will join the firm’s Energy and Sustainability Industry Team, focusing her practice on the siting and permitting of new development projects, including agricultural and energy projects, and counseling clients on environmental matters.
“Leah’s experience in counseling clients in matters involving permitting, development and regulation of agricultural energy production brings even more depth to our Energy and Sustainability Industry Team,” said Michael Best’s Madison Office Managing Partner, Mary Turke. “She also brings a unique set of skills to our thriving agribusiness practice, having a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science, being raised on a dairy in Wisconsin and co-owning and operating a dairy in upstate New York. Our clients in the industry will appreciate Leah’s legal knowledge combined with her practical business advice based on her experience in the industry.”
In addition to Ziemba’s experience noted above, she has extensive experience in environmental/natural resource law involving air, water, solid and hazardous waste. She has counseled project developers and utilities regarding permitting and environmental concerns related to nuclear power plants and energy, wind and biogas developments. Ziemba has a strong background in assisting clients regarding greenhouse gas emission regulation, carbon credits and renewable portfolio standards, and regularly handles environmental matters arising under federal and state law.
Ziemba was involved in the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys and has been an active participant of the Pro Bono attorney participant of the Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County, New York, winning the NYSBA Empire State Counsel Award for Pro Bono Service. “I’m looking forward to joining the Women’s Development Group at Michael Best and learning my new community so I can utilize my talents and legal knowledge to become more involved in local and national volunteer opportunities,” Ziemba said.
Prior to joining Michael Best, Ziemba was an associate at Nixon Peabody LLP in New York. She received her law degree from Syracuse University College of Law and her undergraduate degree from Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She started her career as a legal clerk for the United States Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of New York and worked as a public-policy specialist, regulatory coordinator and lobbyist for the New York Farm Bureau in Glenmont, NY.
About Michael Best
Founded in 1848, Michael Best has earned its reputation as a leading Midwestern law firm. Michael Best has 220 attorneys in Milwaukee, Madison, Waukesha and Manitowoc, Wisconsin; and Chicago, Illinois. Michael Best provides a full range of legal services to clients on a local, regional, national and global basis in areas including: intellectual property, general corporate, labor & employment, environmental, real estate, litigation, tax, and wealth planning services.
Michael Best is the exclusive member firm for Wisconsin of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms. Lex Mundi members are present in more than 160 countries, states and provinces, covering virtually every business market worldwide. Our firm’s membership in Lex Mundi provides us with global reach and access to legal resources that enhance our ability to serve our clients’ needs around the world. Lex Mundi is the mark of excellence for legal services globally. (http://www.lexmundi.com)
