Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Environment: Transactional

Michael Saretsky is a partner in Kirkland’s global Environmental Practice Group, based in the Firm’s New York and Bay Area offices. Michael’s practice focuses on all aspects of environmental matters in business transactions, from public and private M&A and investments, to real estate and debt transactions, bond offerings, infrastructure development, environmental insurance and restructuring matters. Michael helps clients identify and manage environmental liabilities and risks in the transactional and operating contexts, employing both regulatory and business insight and creative thinking to help them achieve their objectives. Michael is also profoundly interested in emerging environmental issues and advises clients on future environmental considerations that may impact their bottom line. In 2024, Chambers & Partners recognized Michael as a leading Environmental Transactional attorney for New York in Chambers USA, and he has received other industry recognitions as an expert in environmental law.

Prior to joining Kirkland, Michael served as counsel for the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy in Washington, D.C., a specialized funding agency in the U.S. Department of Energy, where Michael assisted with establishing and implementing funding programs for research and development of advanced energy technologies. Outside of the office, Michael enjoys connecting with students in a unique experiential class on Environmental Transactional Law at NYU Law, co-taught with other colleagues from Kirkland’s New York office.

Former Attorney-Advisor, Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy, 2010–2014

Former Law Clerk, EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, 2008, 2010

Former Law Clerk, DOJ Environment and Natural Resources Division, 2009

Former Law Clerk, Center for International Environmental Law, 2007

The George Washington University Law School, J.D., with Honors, 2010

The George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs, M.A., 

University of Pennsylvania, B.A., Sociology & French, summa cum laude, 2004