Former California State Assemblymember Brian Maienschein Joins Brownstein’s State Government Relations Team

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck is pleased to announce Brian Maienschein, former California state assemblymember and San Diego city councilmember, has joined the firm’s State Government Relations team in California.

“Brian’s two terms on the San Diego City Council and more than a decade in the California State Assembly gives him firsthand insight into California’s legislative process,” said Doug Friednash, chair of Brownstein’s State Government Relations practice. “That experience will be a tremendous asset to our California clients navigating policy issues in one of the most complex and influential economies in the world.”

Maienschein is an experienced policy leader and attorney whose career spans more than two decades of impactful work in California state and local government. With a reputation for pragmatic leadership and bipartisan collaboration, Maienschein authored over 100 laws focused on health care, environment, housing, education, gun violence prevention and worker protections. His unique blend of legal acumen and legislative experience has made him a respected voice in state policy and a trusted advocate.

Maienschein served in the California State Assembly from 2012 to 2024, representing San Diego’s 76th District, and previously spent eight years on the San Diego City Council. His leadership during the 2003 and 2007 wildfires helped shape FEMA’s national disaster response model. Brian chaired the Assembly Judiciary Committee, was vice-chair of the Health Committee and served on many other key committees. He was San Diego’s first commissioner on homelessness from 2008‒2012.

Maienschein received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara and his J.D. from California Western School of Law.