Michael Mantell '77 has built a career spanning all three sectors of environmental law practice. He began his legal career with the Los Angeles City Attorney's office, where he worked on municipal and environmental matters. He next directed the Land, Heritage and Wildlife Program of The Conservation Foundation. Then, as General Counsel of World Wildlife Fund, he oversaw legal and congressional matters, working with WWF organizations around the world to develop multinational corporate, licensing, and conservation policies. In 1991 he became Undersecretary for Resources for the State of California, where he oversaw the $2.8 billion Resources Agency and was instrumental in developing water policy in California and in promoting the Natural Communities Conservation Plan, which encourages multi-species protection in the coastal sage scrub habitat of Southern California. In 2000, he founded Resources Law Group, LLP, a multidisciplinary firm in Sacramento, California focusing on innovative and significant conservation work for the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and other private and public sector interests.

Mr. Mantell is author and co-author of several books and articles, the recipient of several national conservation awards, and serves on the Board of Directors of Resources for the Future and on the Governing Council of The Wilderness Society.