Holland & Knight Adds Top Lawyer from Bay Area Air Quality Management District Brian C. Bunger to West Coast Land Use & Environmental Group
SAN FRANCISCO (October 14, 2022) – Brian C. Bunger has joined Holland & Knight's West Coast Land Use and Environmental Practice Group as a partner residing in the firm's San Francisco office. Mr. Bunger is among the nation's top legal air professionals. He joins Holland & Knight after serving for 20 years as chief legal officer to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). Prior to leading the district's legal office, Mr. Bunger represented clients in private practice.
"Mr. Bunger is acclaimed for his legal acumen, experience and leadership. We are delighted to have him join our San Francisco office and nationally ranked land use and environmental team," said Tamsen Plume, executive partner of Holland & Knight's San Francisco office.
During his tenure at BAAQMD, Mr. Bunger successfully guided his agency through a wide range of legally complex, novel and politically challenging issues ranging from greenhouse gas (GHG) regulation, permitting, and environmental compliance and enforcement issues. Mr. Bunger was responsible for all aspects of the district's legal function. He advised the 24-member board of directors and the eight-member advisory council. He led a team of eight environmental attorneys handling counseling, enforcement and litigation, in addition to five professional staff handling enforcement cases, public records and providing administrative support. Mr. Bunger managed all litigation and personally litigated and argued cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts.
"For the past five years, California's political leaders have created and enforced climate and air quality legal mandates at a breakneck pace," said Jennifer Hernandez, leader of the West Coast Land Use and Environmental Practice Group. "With Brian Bunger, we are expanding and deepening our practice group in response to unprecedented demand for environmental law counsel. He is well known for his excellent judgement and calm, effective management of complex situations. He is an excellent addition to our existing capabilities."
"After practicing air quality and climate-related environmental law primarily in the government sector for many years, I am excited to return to private practice," said Mr. Bunger. "Holland & Knight is well known for its thought leadership on environmental law and success in precedent-setting cases. I'm confident that my experience will contribute to that success, be helpful to current clients and help attract new ones to the firm."
Mr. Bunger earned a J.D. degree at the University of California Hastings College of the Law and a B.A. degree at the University of California, Berkeley.