Ronald E. Baylor

Experience

Ronald has lectured and written on the environmental liability of businesses, industry and government. He has authored several articles in legal and business periodicals regarding changing environmental laws and the Clean Air Act in particular.

Professional Activities

• American Bar Association, Litigation Section; Tort & Insurance Practice Section; Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law Section
• State Bar of Michigan, Environmental Law Section; Negligence Law Section
• Kalamazoo County Bar Association, Board of Directors, 1999-2002
• Air and Waste Management Association
• Defense Research Institute

Honors + Awards

• Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law 2005/06-2009
• Michigan Super Lawyers, Environmental 2006-2008

Civic, Cultural + Social Activities

• Calvin College, Board of Trustees, 2005-2008
• Junior Achievement of Greater Kalamazoo, Board of Directors, 2004-present
• Calvin College Alumni Association, Board of Directors, 1999-2002; President, 2002
• Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce, Environmental Affairs Committee, 1996-present
• Pine Rest Counseling Center--Kalamazoo, Board of Directors, 1990-1998
• Kalamazoo Christian Schools Association, Board of Directors, 1992-1995; Chairman, 1993-1995
• Friends of Kal-Haven Trail, Inc., Former board member and vice-chairman
• Statewide Public Advisory Council of Michigan, Great Lakes Areas of Concern, 1992-1995

Publications

Author of chapter on "Governmental Immunity (A Defense to Tort Liability)," in Local Government Law and Practice in Michigan, published jointly by the Michigan Municipal League and the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, 2000

Coauthor, "Federal and State Air Pollution Regulation: Ignorance of the Law Is No Defense for Municipalities," Michigan Municipal Review, August 1996

Coauthor, "How to Reduce or Avoid Personal Liability for Your Actions as a College or University Administrator," University of Vermont Conference on Legal Issues in Higher Education, October 1994

Author, "Governmental Immunity and the Nuisance Nuisance," Public Corporation Law Quarterly, December 1992

Coauthor, "Governmental Immunity," in Atkinson & Soper, Torts: Michigan Law and Practice, ICLE Press, 1992

Author, "Defending the Municipality: Governmental Immunity Review," Handbook for Municipal Attorneys in Michigan, MAMA 3d ed., 1992

Author, Governmental Immunity in Michigan, ICLE Press, 1991 (2d ed., 2005)

Speeches

"Environmental Audits and Inspections: What Every University (and University Attorney) Should Know," NACUA 44th Annual Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia, June 2004

"Employee Criminal Conduct, Including Embezzlement," Michigan Society of Medical Assistants, Holland, Michigan, May 2003

"Employee Criminal Conduct, Including Embezzlement and Off-Duty Misconduct," 18th Annual Seminar on Employment Law Matters, Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce and Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone, PLC, Kalamazoo, Michigan, April 2003

"Governmental Immunity 2000: Millennial Madness"? Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, Lansing, Michigan, March 2000

"Waterworld--It Keeps Getting Deeper" (surface water regulation update), Hot Topics in Environmental Law, Grand Rapids and Dearborn, Michigan, April 1999

Kerbersky V Northern Michigan University: What does it mean for the public building exception?" Middle Cities Risk Management Trust, Lansing, Michigan, October 1998

"Environmental Compliance: Who Says It's My Problem and So What If It Is?" Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, Virginia-Carolina Chapter, Wilmington, North Carolina, June 1997

"What Every Municipal Lawyer Should Know about Air Quality Issues," State Bar of Michigan, Public Corporation Law Section Spring Seminar, Cadillac, Michigan, June 1996

"Dealing with Clean Air Compliance Issues," Annual Environmental Seminar, Detroit Paint and Coatings Association, Dearborn, Michigan, March 1996

"The Manager's Role in Preparing for Compliance with New Air Quality Regulations: Caught in the Middle," American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers' Society, Baltimore, Maryland, June 1995

"Handling Emerging Compliance Issues (As You Prepare for Title V)," Spring Conference, Air and Waste Management Association, West Michigan Chapter, Grand, Rapids, Michigan, March 1995

"Preparing for Compliance with the Clean Air Act," Wire Association International, Inc., Detroit, Michigan, June 8, 1994

"Enforcement: Duties and Liabilities of the 'Responsible Official'," Spring Conference, Air and Waste Management Association--East Central Section, Ypsilanti, Michigan, April 1994

"Enforcement Issues--Clean Air Operating Permits: Complying with Title V State Operating Permit Programs," Chicago, Illinois, February 1994

"Required Certifications under the Clean Air Act," State Bar of Michigan, Environmental Law Section Annual Meeting, Novi, Michigan, October 1993

Participant and Discussion Leader, Third Annual Michigan Citizens Conference on Great Lakes Areas of Concern, Lansing, Michigan, February 1993

"Governmental Immunity Review and Update: The Supreme Court Speaks, Again and Again and Again," Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, Third Annual Institute, June 1992

"Governmental Immunity and the Nuisance Nuisance: Here, There, and Everywhere, or, Here Today and Gone Tomorrow," Public Corporation Section, State Bar of Michigan Annual Meeting, June 1992.

"The Use and Handling of Refrigerants under the New Clean Air Act," American Society of Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Engineers' (ASHRAE) Refrigeration Symposium, Grand Rapids, Michigan, March 1992

Member of Faculty, Michigan State Police, Emergency Management Division, Training Courses in "Community Disaster Response" and "Hazardous Materials Response" 1991-1995