Miles Imwalle is Of Counsel in the Environment and Energy Group. His practice focuses on all aspects of the land development process, including land use entitlements, compliance issues, and litigation. Mr. Imwalle advises clients on the development of commercial, residential, mixed-use, and renewable energy projects throughout California, and in the land use aspects of financing real estate acquisitions and developments, including zoning, land use, permitting, and environmental matters. He frequently assists clients with preparing environmental review documents required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act, as well as defending clients' environmental review documents in both administrative and judicial proceedings.
Mr. Imwalle's practice also focuses on evolving legislation related to climate change, such as AB 32 (The Global Warming Solutions Act) and SB 375, and addressing climate change under CEQA. In the climate change arena, his focus is on the impact of such legislation on land use decision-making and strategies for minimizing legal risks related to climate change.
Mr. Imwalle maintains an active environmental practice, counseling clients on environmental risks that arise during the sale of a business or transfer of property, particularly risks associated with potential liability under federal and state statutes such as CERCLA, RCRA, the Clean Water Act, and California's Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. Mr. Imwalle conducts and coordinates environmental due diligence assessments, including the retention and supervision of environmental consultants, and advises on strategies for addressing and allocating liability risks for contaminated properties, including drafting and negotiating applicable representations and warranties and contract language. He also assists with resolution of issues identified in the course of due diligence.
Mr. Imwalle is on the editorial board for Trends, the newsletter for the Environment, Energy and Resources section of the American Bar Association.
In 2012, The Recorder named Mr. Imwalle among its 50 "Fast Track" lawyers; the list recognizes California attorneys whose early accomplishments indicate they will be tomorrow's top lawyers and leaders. SuperLawyers has also recognized Mr. Imwalle as a "Rising Star" in the field of Land Use/Zoning (2009 – 2011).
Mr. Imwalle graduated with honors from Dartmouth College. He earned his J.D. from New York University School of Law where he served as an articles editor for the New York University Environmental Law Journal.