Biography

Mark A. Zirbel takes pride in his community and strongly believes in balancing economic growth and conservation of natural resources. With environmental issues being a personal and professional passion, he is a recognized expert in the area of environmental law, land use entitlements, and compliance with clean air and clean water regulations.

Mark’s practice involved government agency law, environmental documentation, wastewater and solid waste management, as well as real property transactions, zoning, permitting and development. He devoted a significant portion of his practice to compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. He acquired broad experience in public property management and rights of way acquisition, as well as oil and gas development and leasing.

Mark acted as both general and special counsel to many public agencies, including numerous special districts and cities. Early in his career, he served as assistant county counsel for the County of Ventura, where he represented the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, the Ventura County Resources Management Agency and the Ventura County Public Works Agency. He was general counsel to the Ventura Regional Sanitation District and the Ojai Valley Sanitary District, and represented numerous agricultural businesses, ranching families and real estate developers.

Over more than 40 years practicing law in Ventura County, Mark earned the respect of his peers and elected officials for his work in bringing difficult projects through the development process and ensuring they meet the community’s long-term growth demands and environmental requirements.  He was a great partner and colleague, and helped navigate the growth of A to Z Law over more than 20 years.

Mark received his bachelor’s degree cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1972 and his law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School in 1975. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1975.

Mark has two grown children and is an avid runner and surfer.  Now retired, he enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and traveling.