Intro
Alexandra is an experienced litigator, providing litigation and advisory services to public agency clients throughout California. Alexandra is Chair of Hanson Bridgett’s Public Sector Litigation Group. She is also serving an appointment to the League of California Cities Public Records Act Committee.
Alexandra represents public and private entities in matters ranging from class actions, land use, civil rights and tort defense cases involving Section 1983 claims, employment, public contracting, dangerous condition of public property, catastrophic injury, and constitutional law issues such as due process, equal protection, and the First Amendment. Alexandra is also experienced in advising public agency clients on the Government Claims Act, Brown Act and Public Records Act, and advocates for her clients before legislative and regulatory bodies. Alexandra has a proven track record of achieving successful results for her clients in a variety of creative and cost-effective ways. She takes a proactive approach and enjoys advising her clients on potential areas of liability and offering strategies to anticipate and avoid litigation. She zealously advocates for her clients, while finding practical solutions and best possible outcomes in a cost-efficient manner. When a dispute is unavoidable, she counsels clients in responding to incidents, conducting administrative hearings and handling Government Code claims. She represents clients in all phases of litigation, including alternative dispute resolution, writ proceedings, jury and court trials and appeals.
Areas of Focus
Education
Admissions and Courts
Role
Public Agency Litigation Practice Leader
Pro Bono Committee, Member
Public Policy. Obtained a defense verdict after trial in favor of a local public agency in a class action asserting the agency’s toll collection and enforcement program violated the class’s due process rights.
Public Policy. Defeated class certification in a putative class action against local public transportation agencies alleging that the agencies improperly collect and use personally identifiable information for purposes of collecting tolls.
Public Policy. Obtained a judgment in favor of a local public transportation agency in a putative class action alleging improper assessment of toll evasion penalties.
Wrongful termination. Won summary judgment in favor of a local public agency alleging whistleblower retaliation. The court found the agency had a legitimate, non-retaliatory basis for the termination.
Dangerous condition of public property. Won summary judgment in a challenge to the agency’s design immunity for lack of a median barrier. The court found that technological advances do not strip the agency of design immunity where no dangerous condition exists.
Dangerous condition of public property. Won summary judgment in a case involving a bicycle accident on the agency’s property. The court found the agency entitled to trail immunity.
False Claims. Won summary judgment in a qui tam action against a non-profit health care facility alleging violations of the False Claims Act.
Immigration Law. Secured a published Ninth Circuit victory on behalf of petitioner, a gay Nigerian client seeking asylum and protection under the Convention Against Torture in the United States.
California Special District Association
State Bar of California
Bar Association of San Francisco
Women in Transportation International
"9th Circ. Says BIA Must Rethink Gay Nigerian's Torture Claim," Law360 (May 2022)
"Risks of Using Social Media to Solicit Clients," Litigation & Dispute Resolution Alert (March 2012)
"Personally Identifiable Information - Transit Agency Obligations & Risks," co-presenter, APTA 2023 Legal Affairs Seminar (April 2023)
"A New Look at Design Immunity – Expanding Protection for Public Entities," California Special Districts Association Conference (September 2017)
"Design Immunity – A Valuable Tool for Avoiding Dangerous Condition Claims," Hanson Bridgett Public Agency Roundtable Series (August 2013)