Brian C. Bunger

Brian C. Bunger helps clients navigate complex environmental and air quality regulatory and climate matters, with particular depth in California and federal air permitting, compliance and enforcement. As former counsel for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Bay Area AQMD) for more than two decades, he brings a rare perspective to his practice – he has sat on the other side of the table, advising a regulatory agency's board and staff on permitting, rulemaking and enforcement. His vantage point of understanding how regulators think and act gives his clients a strategic advantage in obtaining permits, negotiating enforcement resolutions and building credible compliance programs.

Drawing on more than 35 years of experience, Brian represents manufacturers, retailers, refiners, data center operators and a wide range of companies in technology, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, medical diagnostics, waste management and recycling, air travel, hospitality, multifamily housing, banking, energy, oil and gas, and real estate development. Whether the challenge is securing a complex air permit, developing a regulatory compliance program, responding to an enforcement action or litigating, Brian combines substantive knowledge of environmental, air and climate law with hands-on experience in rule drafting, agency counseling and courtroom advocacy, including bench and jury trials and appellate arguments in state and federal court. He advises clients regarding compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), federal and state Clean Air Acts, California's evolving climate disclosure laws – including Assembly Bill (AB) 1305 (voluntary carbon market disclosures), Senate Bill (SB) 253 (climate emissions reporting) and SB 261 (climate-related financial risk reporting) – as well as other state and federal environmental laws.

At the Bay Area AQMD, Brian advised the board of directors and advisory council and led a team of eight attorneys handling counseling, enforcement and litigation matters. He also helped establish a nonprofit foundation advancing the district's mission and served as its counsel and a board member. Earlier in his career, as an associate at a San Francisco law firm, Brian focused on complex environmental litigation involving hazardous waste, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Superfund, toxic torts and related insurance coverage disputes.

Clients and colleagues describe Brian as approachable, articulate and strategic. He is a collaborative leader who takes ownership of client challenges and translates complex regulatory issues into clear, practical guidance. He also regularly mentors junior attorneys and handles pro bono litigation.