Anya Kwan is an associate in Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Municipal Law practice group. With a previous career as a chemist, Anya brings her interest and background to her practice, including helping cities navigate the technological advances that impact how they operate and serve their communities. She also works closely with cities in helping them understand the scientific basis of the mandated water quality standards.
 
While attending University of California, Davis School of Law, Anya externed for the California Department of Justice in the Tobacco Enforcement and Litigation Section. There, she assisted in the lawsuit against Juul Labs by analyzing if Juul had knowledge of the potential harm based on previous patents, helped determine what Proposition 65 chemicals the state labs should be looking for in each vape flavor type, and drafted cease and desist letters to various tobacco companies for violating consumer protection laws. She also externed at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
 
Prior to law school, Anya was a flavor chemist working to design natural and artificial flavors for various food and beverage companies. She did research at the California State Polytechnical University, Pomona on flavored nanoemulsions to help beverage companies reduce the amount of flavor added to products; this research was published and presented at a variety of conferences.
 
Although her primary background is in chemistry, her work at California Institute of Technology in astrophysics and the curriculum at Harvey Mudd College gave her a unique set of tools to communicate with practitioners in a variety of technological areas.
 
Education

• University of California, Davis School of Law, J.D., King Hall Environmental Certificate, King Hall Public Service Certificate, King Hall Pro Bono Program
• ​Harvey Mudd College, B.S., chemistry, graduated with distinction and departmental honors,

Admissions

• California