Peter Hsiao is head of the Land Use and Environmental Law Group in Los Angeles.  Drawing upon his background as a chemical engineer, his practice focuses on complex litigation with a specialty in environmental laws and chemical regulations, both in the United States and internationally. He has 20 years of experience as a trial lawyer, having formerly served with the U.S. Department of Justice as the senior trial attorney for environmental and natural resources matters for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles. 

Mr. Hsiao advises clients on a variety of environmental, land-use, natural resources, toxic tort and product liability matters. He has successfully defended civil and criminal prosecutions under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and CERCLA, and under California's air, water, solid waste and hazardous waste regulations, including Proposition 65.  He also provides legal counsel for environmental due diligence, audits and compliance programs. 

Mr. Hsiao represents clients in air permitting and rulemaking proceedings, NEPA and CEQA actions, planning and litigation under the Endangered Species Act, and transactional issues involving environmental indemnities, warranties and insurance. He also counsels clients on environmental due diligence, auditing and compliance issues and appears before the state air boards and water boards.  Mr. Hsiao currently serves on the Standing Committee on Environmental Law for the American Bar Association. He is former Chair of the State Bar Environmental Law Section, and listed as one of the best environmental lawyers by Who's Who Legal and Los Angeles Magazine.  He is also co-author of the California Environmental and Natural Resources Law Handbook.   

• Environmental World Watch v. Diesel Engine Manufacturers: Served as lead trial counsel to obtain defense verdict in the first ever trial under California's safe drinking water and product warning statute (Proposition 65).
• Mattel, Inc.: Serves as outside environmental counsel for environmental litigation and counseling matters for environmental, health and safety matters in Asia, Europe and the United States. Served as lead counsel and obtained defense verdict in federal court trial regarding hazardous substances case.
• 3M Corp: Served as lead counsel for a wide variety of toxic tort, hazardous waste and water quality matters, including Cal Compact Superfund site in Long Beach.
• Waste Management v. East Bay Regional Park District: Obtained defense verdict in federal court Superfund trial regarding redevelopment of municipal landfill.
• City and County of San Francisco: Serves as lead trial counsel for federal court case involving environmental cost recovery at San Francisco International Airport.