LOS ANGELES, CA (04/26/06) -- International law firm Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP is pleased to announce that Cynthia Burch has joined the Los Angeles office as a partner in the firm's environmental and regulatory practice groups.

Previously a partner with the Los Angeles based law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson, Ms. Burch represents major energy, chemical, manufacturing, retail, and oil industry companies in regulatory and litigation aspects of environmental law.

Ms. Burch's deep knowledge of environmental law and the EPA regulatory system, combined with her litigation experience and ability to resolve complex environmental cases complement Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw's existing practices. At Mayer, Brown, Ms. Burch will advise clients on issues relating to the 2005 Energy Action Plan of the California Energy Commission and California Public Utilities Commission, which states California must promote infrastructure enhancements. The government of California's recent call for massive investment in infrastructure offers an opportunity for corporations considering expansion, who in turn will require sophisticated legal counsel.

Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and Trade Representative, Mickey Kantor, who serves as the chair of the executive committee of Mayer Brown's Los Angeles office said, "The numerous legal issues surrounding the intersection of business, government and the environment are becoming increasingly important to multi-national corporations. Cyndy's background and expertise fit this need and complement not only our environmental practice, but also our real estate, global trade and government practices."

Ms. Burch regularly appears before national, state and local government agencies. She also has extensive experience advising clients on a wide range of regulatory matters, including contracting and guiding work with government and technical consultants in the preparation of Environmental Impact Reports, assisting clients with federal and state permitting, and negotiating with EPA and related agencies.

Mayer, Brown's firmwide managing partner, Debora de Hoyos said, "Cyndy's experience managing large complex cases and her successful track record in the courtroom will be extremely valuable as we continue to grow Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw's presence in Los Angeles." James E. Tancula, the new partner in charge of the Los Angeles office added, "Cyndy's national reputation and expertise in the Los Angeles area is a prime example of our continued dedication to attract leading lawyers in various practice groups to advise clients on a local and national level."

Ms. Burch has represented clients in compliance with NEPA and CEQA, groundwater contamination, tort litigation, interference with interstate commerce and federal and state superfund issues. She's managed over 200 agency hearings and numerous public meetings before U.S. EPA and California State and local government agencies.

"The convergence of national and international regulatory law and the increased attention on my clients' operations demand access to a strong global platform and experience in both US and EU regulatory matters," said Ms. Burch. "I was drawn to the firm's full-service environmental practice which is uniquely strong in both regulatory law and litigation, and the access to top- notch international lawyers in complementing practices." With regard to the impact of her move on current clients, Ms. Burch continued, "Issues concerning the EU regulatory regime for chemicals, called REACH, will grow materially over the next ten years, and Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw's global trade partners in Washington and Brussels can provide my existing clients with assistance on addressing these types of major governmental pressures."

Mayer, Brown's global trade group possess a number of attorneys with first-hand experience regarding REACH and other EU regulatory issues. The firm has added seven global trade partners in the past year, including Brussels based Jean-Philippe Monfort, current Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce's EU Committee Chemicals Working Group and one of the leading advisors on REACH, and Washington D.C. based Cathy Novelli, former Assistant US Trade Representative who played a key role for the US on addressing the development of the EU REACH directive.

Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP is among the largest law practices in the world, with more than 1400 lawyers practicing out of 13 offices in the U.S. and Europe. Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw's environmental practice area is one of the premier environmental law groups in the United States and encompasses litigation, transactional work, and environmental compliance. The firm has been counseling clients on environmental matters and litigating environmental disputes since the early 1970s. The group, operating globally, is fueled by its many successes in environmental law from victories in the courtroom and before administrative tribunals, to helping clients avoid or manage every kind of environmental issue.