Our attorneys have spent decades representing public agencies and we are privileged to serve in a “general counsel” capacity to public agencies throughout California when requested. On any given night of any week, our attorneys are in closed and open session, providing advice on particular matters to public agencies. This service is a part of our everyday practice. We assist with preparation of agendas as well as provide training and presentations to our public agency board members and staff regarding Ralph M. Brown Act (“Brown Act”) compliance. We provide similar presentations to bond program citizens oversight committees, 7-11/surplus property advisory committees and to California school district trade organizations such as Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH), California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO), and County Offices of Education.

We are often called upon to review and revise our clients’ Board Policies and Administrative Regulations, especially for school districts that routinely adopt the California School Board Association’s model policies without revisions and find that necessary changes need to be implemented.

We are experts in California’s conflict of interest laws and regulations. We routinely advise public agencies on Form 700 compliance, the Fair Political Practices Act and compliance with Government Code section 1090.

We also regularly assist our clients with administrating requests and compliance with the California Public Records Act. We draft appropriate responses for the client during the process, assist with production matters, and if necessary, help resolve disputes with requesters.

We are active in Sacramento with many trade associations and lobbying organizations such as CASH, CSBA, Murdoch Walrath & Holmes (MWH), and the California School Boards Association. We are deeply involved in CASH leadership and have been called upon by CASH and MWH to review and opine on pending legislation, to negotiate on behalf of CASH with other interested parties and to testify in front of legislative committees.