LOS ANGELES — Jeffer Mangels Butler & Marmaro LLP (JMBM), a California full-service law firm, has announced that Peter Mieras has become of counsel to JMBM, bringing with him an extensive background in air regulatory matters gained in his position as chief prosecutor with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD).

As a member of the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association, Mieras served on the Attorneys' Committee, working closely with executive officers and district counsel from most of the air districts in California on permitting and enforcement issues, legislative matters and intergovernmental relations with the Air Resources Board and the federal Environmental Protection Agency. He is knowledgeable in the policy formation process for emission trading programs, technology advancement, emission reduction credits and other leading-edge climate change issues.

Mieras received his legal education from Western State University College of Law (J.D., 1979) and his undergraduate degree from Whittier College (A.B., 1978). He was a 2006 recipient of the CLAY (California Lawyer of the Year) Award in Environmental Law and is a past board member of both the Pro Bono Foundation and the Center for Law in the Public Interest.

Another recent addition to JMBM's Government, Land Use, Environment and Energy Department (GLUEE) is land use lawyer Noel Tapia, who joined JMBM as a senior associate. Tapia has expertise in a wide range of land use and zoning issues, including regulatory areas such as the California Environmental Quality Act. He is a board member of Neighborhood Empowerment and Economic Development and is the immediate past vice president of the Mexican American Bar Association in Los Angeles.

Tapia received his J.D. from Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California (1999) and his B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles (1995). Before JMBM, he practiced law at Greenberg Traurig.

JMBM is a full-service law firm with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Orange County, Calif. JMBM's GLUEE now comprises 23 lawyers who practice full-time in these areas. For more information about JMBM and GLUEE, visit BMR@jmbm.com.