Released July 16, 2009

HunterMaclean, a leading law firm headquartered in Savannah, is pleased to announce that longtime partner Drew Ernst has been invited to join the prestigious American College of Environmental Lawyers (ACOEL).

The American College of Environmental Lawyers is an elite professional association of distinguished lawyers who practice in the field of environmental law. Membership is by invitation only, with members recognized as preeminent in their field by their peers. ACOEL members are dedicated to upholding the ethical practice of environmental law, the administration of justice, and the development of environmental law at both the state and federal level.

An accomplished attorney, Ermst has practiced for more than 30 years in the areas of environmental law, land use, commercial real estate development and industrial development. At HunterMaclean, he has extensive experience in representing clients on wetlands issues and coastal development matters arising under various facets of Georgia's Marshlands Protection Act and Shore Protection Act. He also represents clients before regulatory agencies in obtaining permits under the Clean Water Act and RCRA.

He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Environmental Law since 1997 and is a sought-after speaker. A leading expert on environment law, he has co-chaired the Southeast and Georgia Wetlands and Water Law program presented annually in Atlanta since 2001.

Ernst earned his B.A., magna cum laude, from Armstrong State College in 1974 and his J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1977. At Armstrong, he received the Silver A Award for Academic and Civic Achievement. In law school, he served on the editorial board of the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law.

An active community volunteer, Ernst currently serves as a trustee for the Armstrong Atlantic State University Foundation, director of the Savannah Harbor Foundation and a member of the administrative board of Skidaway Island United Methodist Church. He is also a former member of the Savannah Economic Development Authority advisory board and a former member of the Coastal Empire Council of Boy Scouts of America’s board of directors.