Harrisburg, Pa., September 1, 2020 – Michael D. Klein, a member of Cozen O’Connor’s Utility & Energy Practice, has been named the 2020 recipient of the Gold Star Award by the Board of Directors of Pennsylvania’s Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (PAWARN).

The award is the highest honor bestowed by PAWARN. Michael was recognized for his years of providing pro bono legal guidance to PAWARN. Most recently, he has helped the organization navigate COVID-19 legal restrictions on water and wastewater systems. Michael also provided guidance on a major piece of legislation that became law in Pennsylvania on July 23, 2020, that provides certain immunities from civil liability to mutual aid request responders such as PAWARN and its members. 

Michael represents utilities, municipalities, corporations, and developers in a broad array of water, wastewater, and energy related matters. His water practice includes serving as legal counsel to state chapters of several U.S. and international associations of public water suppliers. He has served as general counsel for public water suppliers in Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. He has significant experience in the regionalization and sale of public water and sewer facilities, and in the siting and construction of such facilities. 

PAWARN members include investor-owned authority and municipal water and wastewater utilities who support and promote statewide emergency preparedness, disaster response, and mutual aid assistance for water and wastewater systems experiencing emergencies that cause-large scale disruptions in water and wastewater service to the public.