ERIC J. MIETHKE (Sacramento office) is a partner specializing in state and local taxation, high technology issues and economic development.

Prior to joining the firm, he was Legal Counsel to State Board of Equalization Member Ernest J. Dronenburg, Jr. He has also been a senior consultant in both houses of the California legislature and a telecommunications tax attorney for the Pacific Telesis Group. Mr. Miethke appears regularly before the Board of Equalization, Franchise Tax Board and Employment Development Department on major tax controversy and regulatory matters.

His practice covers most aspects of California taxation, including income and franchise taxes, property taxes, sales and use taxes, employment taxes, excise taxes, insurance taxes, hazardous waste fees and local business license and utility user taxes. In conjunction with our litigation section, he has been involved in major tax cases in the state courts and the United States Supreme Court.

He handles significant tax legislation before the state legislature, often working in conjunction with major taxpayer groups such as the California Taxpayers Association. He was the principal draftsman of the California Taxpayer Bill of Rights, and coordinated lobbying strategy for bills such as The Omnibus Property Tax Reform Act of 1995 (SB 657) the extension of the Manufacturers Investment Credit (MIC) to software manufacturing (AB 1063) and the California Internet Tax Freedom Act (AB 1614).

Mr. Miethke has written and spoken extensively on a variety of state tax issues, including taxation of electronic commerce, property taxes and nexus. He received his B.A. (With Honors) from Stanford University; his J.D from McGeorge School of Law and his LL.M. (Taxation) from New York University.