Overview of Services
Representing general and special purpose public agencies has been a principal strength of our firm for more than 60 years. Our deep understanding of our public agency clients’ business helps us find ways to cost-effectively achieve their objectives on a sound legal basis.
As general counsel and special counsel, we represent transportation districts, cities, water districts, community service districts, fire districts, hospital districts, joint powers authorities, local governmental agency associations, and sanitation districts.
Whether on individual assignments or as ongoing counsel, our experience also includes labor and employment law, municipal finance and rate-setting, including Prop 218, litigation, environmental laws, water supply, including water rights, transfers, recycled water and SGMA, solid waste management, real estate and land use, government reorganization, complex technology procurements, alternative project delivery, public works construction, long term operating and revenue sharing agreements, and contract negotiations.
Experience
- Administrative law
- Appellate advocacy
- Code enforcement
- Conflicts of interest
- Elections
- Eminent domain and inverse condemnation
- Employee benefits
- Environmental law
- Financial and rate setting
- Insurance recovery
- Joint powers agreements
- Labor and employment
- LAFCO issues
- Land use
- Legislation
- Litigation
- Open government laws
- Ordinances and resolutions
- Privacy, data security and information control
- Public private partnerships
- Public procurement
- Public works and infrastructure
- Real property acquisition, management and disposition
- Taxes, assessments and fees
- Technology procurements
Key Contact
News & Resources
Keeping Up With California Public Records Act Decisions
Two recent decisions out of the Sixth Appellate District and one out of the First Appellate District provide helpful guidance for public agencies when responding to California Public Records Act (PRA) requests for investigative records, preparing for potential PRA litigation, and maintaining records responsive to PRA requests.
AB 1287 Makes Technical Changes to State Density Bonus Law to Maximize Housing Production
In 2023, Governor Newsom signed more than 50 housing-related bills intended to address California’s housing crisis. One of those bills, AB 1287 (Alvarez), promotes housing production by amending state density bonus law to enable developers to double the allowable density increase on an eligible site.
California’s Top Three Housing Bills to Track for 2024
Among the 50-plus housing bills enacted in California in 2023, three bills extending SB 35, allowing housing on lands owned by religious and educational institutions, and imposing CEQA reform, may be the most consequential.
Amendments to Surplus Land Act Increase Clarity and Flexibility for Public Agencies
Senate Bill 747 and Assembly Bill 480 provide much-needed clarification and increased flexibility for public agencies disposing of surplus property.
In a Win for Public Agencies, California Legislature Clarifies Use of Independent Contractors for Multi-Phase Projects
Government Code Section 1090 receives statutory clarification permitting contractors and consultants to work on multiple phases of a project.
Got Governance?
Steven Miller of Hanson Bridgett discusses ethics complaints against a board member and the steps to address the situation.
California Enacts Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act
On July 10, 2023, California enacted the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, to conserve the Western Joshua Tree and allow for streamlined take authorization.
Court of Appeal Finds Proposition 218 Challenge is Time Barred
The Court of Appeal found in Campana v. EBMUD that a Prop 218 challenge to tiered water rates was barred by the 120-day statute of limitations period for reverse validation of municipal utility district water rates.
California Supreme Court Clarifies Rules for Governments' Failure to Warn of Dangerous Traffic Conditions Liability, Leaves Door Open for Defenses
California Supreme Court clarifies rules for governments' failure to warn of dangerous traffic conditions liability, leaves door open for defenses.
Supreme Court Depublishes Court of Appeal Opinion Regarding Required Placement of Discussion Concerning the Application of CEQA Exemptions in Agenda Items Providing for Project Approval
It's best practice for local agencies, when taking action on projects that include a recommendation to rely on CEQA exemptions, to include, on their agenda entry for the item, a mention of the intent to rely on the exemption or exemptions.