Joan leads the firm's government and public agency groups. With more than 30 years of experience practicing at Hanson Bridgett, she has gained notable expertise in the three primary areas of public sector law served by the firm: general municipal law, transportation issues and water industries.
As a skilled municipal lawyer, Joan has been the city attorney for the City of Millbrae since 1989. She also has served a number of cities as special counsel. Among these are San Carlos, Brentwood, Colma, Antioch, San Luis Obispo, and Berkeley. Joan is general counsel to the Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance, a transportation demand management joint powers authority consisting of 17 cities and the County of San Mateo. She also represents the San Mateo County Transit District, the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. For her water and transportation clients, Joan handles a myriad of real property matters, many of which involve condemnation.
Other areas of expertise for which Joan serves as special counsel to cities and public agencies include environmental issues, real property matters and railroad operations. She handles purchase of service arrangements, franchise agreements, public works projects, municipal finance, rate-setting, government reorganization and annexation. Joan has represented both public and private entities involving all aspects of development, contracts and procurement, and bid protests.
Representative Work
City of Millbrae. Has served as the city attorney since 1989. Oversaw legal work, including numerous eminent domain cases, for the Millbrae Overpass Bridge, a $25 million railroad grade separation project.
City of San Jose. Serves as the evaluator for the Elections Commission. Recommends findings for all complaints alleging ethical violations under the San Jose Municipal Code.
Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance. Serves as general counsel for this transportation demand management joint powers authority consisting of 17 cities.
Mid-Peninsula Water District. Serves as general counsel to the Mid-Peninsula Water District.
Publications
"Declaring a State of Emergency: What You Need to Know," co-author, Western City (May 2011)
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Honors
Daily Journal, "Top 25 Municipal Lawyers of California," (2011)