September 18th, 2025
ELF member spotlight: Michael Feeney
Michael is building a strong practice in planning, environmental, highways, and licensing law. Michael acts for a wide range of clients, including central and local government, developers and landowners, and local residents. Michael regularly appears in court, inquiries and hearings in his own right and as junior counsel. Michael is developing a particularly strong High Court practice, having acted successfully for both claimants and defendants in multiple judicial review claims.
Can you tell us about your background and what inspired you to specialize in environmental law?
I originally studied history as an undergraduate and was studying for a PhD in history when I decided that I wanted to pursue a career at the environmental bar. My historical research was on state formation in early modern Europe- so not directly relevant! But I wanted to practise environmental law because I was interested in public law and the role that public law plays in helping strike the right balance between the powers of the state and the rights of individuals. It is incredibly difficult to strike that balance in environmental law, which is what makes it so interesting.
I also wanted to do work which would have practical effects. One of the aspects of the job I enjoy the most is that your work as an environmental barrister has real-life, tangible effects- you can see whether a development gets built or not!
What motivated you to join ELF?
I wanted to join ELF for two main reasons. First, I wanted to help individuals who would not otherwise be able to access legal representation. It is vitally important that developments affecting the environment are subject to proper scrutiny.
Second (and more selfishly), doing pro bono work for ELF (particularly in the first year or two of practice) let me do work that I might not otherwise have been able to. One of my very first judicial review cases representing a Claimant was for ELF, and it is a great way to gain valuable experience as a junior barrister.
How has working with the Environmental Law Foundation influenced your career and professional development?
Working with ELF has allowed me to gain invaluable experience working on judicial review claims. This has allowed me to say to prospective clients that I have experience and success working with Claimants in the High Court. The scope of work I have undertaken for ELF also means that I have learnt a lot about many different areas of law- from heritage statutory duties to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations to permitted development rights. I have drawn directly on the work I have done with ELF in preparing for other cases.
Can you share a memorable case or project you worked on through ELF that had a significant impact on the community or the environment?
About a year ago I was instructed by ELF to challenge the grant of permission for a soil storage facility in Somerset. The site was located in a sensitive area adjacent to a Site of Special Scientific Interest. After ELF sent a pre-action protocol letter, the permission was quashed by consent for breaches of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations. The officer report had failed to consider cumulative impact, failed to have regard to the location of the site adjacent to a Site of Special Scientific Interest and failed to provide adequate reasons. The decision to grant permission was also unlawful because the local planning authority had failed to publish a negative screening opinion. This case was particularly memorable because it meant so much to the lay client. We were able to articulate their environmental concerns and force the Council to take them seriously. The fact that we were able to achieve such a good result without the stress and worry of a High Court hearing was an added benefit too!
What are some of the unique opportunities or advantages you’ve experienced as a member of ELF compared to other professional networks or organisations?
I have particularly valued the work I have done for ELF because it has given me direct work opportunities. Everyone should do pro bono work because it is a good thing to do, but it is also a unique opportunity to grow your practice and learn more about different areas of law.
In your opinion, why should other legal professionals consider joining the Environmental Law Foundation, and what advice would you give to those who are interested in pursuing a career in environmental law?
Any lawyer interested in environmental law should join ELF- you get to do really interesting, impactful work which can often be meaningful for the local community.
My main piece of advice for anyone interested in pursuing a career in environmental law is to try to keep abreast of developments by following one or two trusted sources. There is so much going on that it is extremely difficult to keep on top of everything, but if you pick just one or two trusted sources to follow (such as Francis Taylor Building’s environmental law blog!) then that can be an invaluable way of demonstrating in any application or interview that you try to follow what is going on and have a genuine interest in the subject.