Pat has been representing local government agencies for more than 20 years as both general counsel and special counsel. He represents water districts, transportation districts, sanitary districts, cities, and joint powers agencies. In his role as general counsel, Pat attends and advises his clients at board, committee and executive staff meetings, drafts ordinances and resolutions, and handles a wide variety of legal issues pertaining to local government. Pat provides guidance on open meeting, transparency, and conflict of interest laws, as well as government ethics. Pat understands his clients' business and their goals and objectives so that he can provide sound and practical legal guidance.
In his role as counsel to water districts, Pat provides guidance on establishing and adopting rates, fees and charges, for example compliance with the requirements of Proposition 218, Proposition 26, and the Mitigation Fee Act. He provides counsel on issues relating to water recycling, water conservation, and groundwater management and protection. He assists in matters regarding water supply, such as water supply assessments and verifications, subdivision agreements and water service extensions, and inter-connection arrangements.
Pat assists clients through the government contracting process by negotiating and drafting many types of contracts. He is experienced with large public construction contracts and complex high technology agreements. He also handles contractual arrangements for the sale, transport, and use of water.
Pat counsels clients in connection with property-related transactions, including the sale and acquisition of property and the use of government and private property. He develops policies and procedures for the management of public property and assists with implementation.
Pat also provides advice regarding constitutional law issues. He is skilled in matters involving expressive activity on public property, such as demonstrations, news racks, advertising, and filming.
Representative Work
Alameda County Water District. Serves as general counsel.
North Coast County Water District. Serves as general counsel.
Coastside County Water District. Serves as general counsel.
Stinson Beach County Water District. Serves as general counsel.
Publications
"California Attorney General Provides Brown Act Guidance on Tours of Facilities," Public Agency Advisory (December 2011)
Summary of California Appellate Cases, Association of California Water Agencies, Contributing Author of Summaries (2009-10 and 2010-11)
"SB 343 New Brown Act Requirement – Availability of Public Records Distributed Before Meetings," Public Agency Advisory (April 2008)
"Legislature Clarifies Proposition 218: Notice Requirements for Property-Related Fees and Charges," Public Agency Advisory (October 2007)
"Public Agencies Face New Restrictions in Contracting with Design Professionals," Infrastructure Law Blog (March 2007)
"Legislature Passes New Landscape Water Conservation Law," Infrastructure Law Blog (February 2007)
"Assembly Bill 1825 Training—Mandatory Sexual Harassment Training For Supervisors Employed By Public Agencies With Less Than 50 Employees," Public Agency Advisory (October 2005)
"New Brown Act Requirement—'Confidential Information Discussed In Closed Sessions Should Remain Confidential'," Public Agency Advisory (January 2003)
"Computer Software Defects: Should Computer Software Manufacturers Be Held Strictly Liable for Computer Software Defects?," Santa Clara Computer & High Tech Law Journal (1992)
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