Published Decisions
Huppert v. City of Pittsburg, 574 F.3d 696 (9th Cir. 2009). On appeal, lead counsel for city and supervising police officers in case deciding whether former officers' statements and testimony in connection with alleged corruption in city departments can form the basis of a federal civil rights claim for First Amendment retaliation.
Bias v. Moynihan, 508 F.3d 1212 (9th Cir. 2007). On appeal, defended city and several police officers in case regarding officers' immunity from federal civil rights liability for detention of an individual for psychiatric evaluation.
Air Transport Assoc. v. City and County of San Francisco, 266 F.3d 1064 (9th Cir. 2001) and S.D. Myers, Inc. v. City and County of San Francisco, 253 F.3d 461 (9th Cir. 2001). In trial court and on appeal, participated in the successful defense of the City's Equal Benefits Ordinance, or domestic partners law.
O'Connell v. City of Stockton (2007) 41 Cal.4th 1061. On appeal, defended city in challenge to municipal ordinance allowing seizure and forfeiture of vehicles used to solicit prostitution or obtain drugs.
Michaelis, Montanari and Johnson v. City of Los Angeles, Dept. of Airports (2006) 38 Cal.4th 1065. On appeal, defended major airport authority in case addressing whether, under the Public Records Act, an agency involved in a competitive-proposal-and-negotiation leasing process need not disclose competitors' proposals prior to negotiations.
City of Dinuba v. County of Tulare (2007) 41 Cal.4th 859. On behalf of city and redevelopment agency, prosecuted claims for recovery of misallocated tax funds.
Geneva Towers, Inc. v. City and County of San Francisco (2003) 29 Cal.4th 769. On appeal, served as lead counsel for city in case regarding taxpayers' duties under Section 5141 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code.
Arntz v. Superior Court (Alioto-Pier), 187 Cal.App.4th 1082. Represented friend of the court in case clarifying local term limit rules.
Gressett v. Superior Court (People), 185 Cal.App.4th 114 (2010). Represented superior court in case presenting issue whether indigent defendant entitled to preferred counsel even if that counsel previously represented defendant in same case, distinguishing Harris v. Superior Court (1977) 19 Cal.3d 786.
In re Electric Refund Cases, 184 Cal.App.4th 1490 (2010). Represented power company in case addressing complex issues of federal and state law arising from 2000-2001 California electricity crisis.
Alvarez v. Superior Court (People), 183 Cal.App.4th 1490 (2010). Represented superior court in case presenting issues regarding presiding justice's authority to create departments and limit judicial functions in those departments.
Koehler v. Superior Court (People) (2010) 181 Cal.App.4th 1153. Represented superior court in case setting procedural and substantive rules for indirect contempt proceedings.
City of Oakland v. Superior Court (Hornung) Cal. Supreme Court Case No. S152669. As lead counsel for the City of Oakland, successfully prosecuted petition for review to overturn Court of Appeal's summary denial of petition regarding selection of an arbitrator to preside over a high profile employment-related arbitration.
Peninsula Guardians, Inc. v. Peninsula Health Care Dist. (2008) 168 Cal.App.4th 75. In trial court and on appeal, prosecuted case addressing whether hospital district's lease to private hospital company is subject to durational limit of California Health & Safety Code section 32126.
Bay Area Cellular Tel. Co. v. City of Union City (2008) 162 Cal.App.4th 686. In trial court and on appeal, defended city in case addressing whether city council may impose fee upon telephone subscribers in order to pay for operation and improvement of the local emergency communication (911) system.
Kumar v. Superior Court (2007) 149 Cal.App.4th 543. Defended city in constitutional challenges to municipal hotel tax.
North Bay Constr., Inc. v. City of Petaluma (2006) 143 Cal.App.4th 552. On appeal, defended city in case establishing principles governing mechanic liens and quasi-contract claims against public property.
Andal v. City of Stockton (2006) 137 Cal.App.4th 86. Defended city in case addressing whether company's challenge to municipal charge is barred by "pay first, litigate later" rule and whether company has standing to bring state court challenge to ordinance.
Placer Cty. Local Agency Form. Comm. v. Nevada Cty. Local Agency Form. Comm. (2006) 135 Cal.App.4th 793. Acted as lead counsel on appeal for intervenor Truckee Sanitary District (TSD), and successfully argued that principal county maintains unitary jurisdiction over planning matters for multi-county special districts.
Flying Dutchman Park, Inc. v. City and County of San Francisco (2001) 93 Cal.App.4th 1129. Acted as lead appellate counsel for City in action establishing the "pay first and litigate later" rule regarding taxpayer challenges to municipal business taxes.
International Fed'n of Prof'l and Tech'l Eng'rs, et al. v. San Francisco Pub. Utils. Comm'n (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 213. At trial and on appeal, successfully defended department's contracting-out initiative integral to unprecedented capital improvement program.
Local 21 v. City and County of San Francisco (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 213. At trial and on appeal, successfully defended City in class action lawsuit regarding retirement benefits; plaintiffs sought more than $20 million in damages.
Holmes v. District Attorney (1998) 68 Cal.App.4th 1523. As lead counsel at trial and on appeal, successfully defended District Attorney in sensitive employment termination suit.