MICHAEL RUBIN is the Rhode Island Attorney General's Environmental Advocate. His position was created by the Legislature in 1979 with the mission of initiating pro-environmental litigation, lobbying and education on behalf of the public in general. Mr. Rubin has held this position since 1987 and has been an attorney since 1980. In his position of environmental advocate, he also holds the titles and functions of Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Attorney General's Environmental Unit. He is a member of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island bars and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and his law degree from Rutgers University Law School-Camden.

Among his areas of concentration have been the following:

· Combating the takings/inverse condemnation challenge: Attorney Rubin has overcome developers' so-called "property rights" claims, and the policy threat he believes they represent, in both the courtroom and the legislature, in order to maintain the efficacy of environmental protection and protect taxpayer funds. Attorney Rubin is also committed to community education in order to dispel the unwarranted chilling effect the takings threat might have on local and state officials.
Mr. Rubin's defense against these claims in the litigation arena is most visible in his role as counsel of record in the case of Palazzolo v. Rhode Island, et al. 121 S.Ct. 2448 (2001) (on certiorari from Palazzolo v. CRMC, 746 A.2d 707 (R.I. 2000)).

· Fighting to uphold public access to the shore and to other natural resources.

· Cleaning-up Maritime oil spill disasters.

· Fighting against SLAPP suits.

· Investigating financial crimes committed in connection with pollution.

· Preserving Rural Landscapes.

· Advocating Sound Recycling Policy.