League Partners
Through its League Partner program, the League of California Cities provides an opportunity for outside organizations to support the work of cities while engaging in educational activities, policymaking, conferences, regional meetings, and networking events throughout the year. League Partners represent many industries and bring a unique perspective to city officials. Whether they are participating in regional division meetings, Cal Cities Policy Committees, or through various online or in-person educational forums, League Partners bring a valued voice to conversations around city issues.
About
League Partners gain wide recognition throughout the year at numerous events and conferences that draw thousands of city officials, as well as in publications such as Western City magazine and Cal Cities' website.
Learn More About the Partner Program
March 15, 2022
PowerPoint Slides | Webinar Recording
Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Charge Ready Program has launched! By offering significant financial incentives and technical support, SCE’s Charge Ready program helps local governments, businesses, and property owners deploy the necessary infrastructure and equipment to support EV charging stations at their property. Attend this session to hear directly from SCE experts and learn how your community can apply to the program and get EV chargers on their property safely, quickly and at reduced cost.
Naveed H. Ahmad, Sr. Advisor, eMobility, Southern California Edison
Dana Robertson, Advisor, eMobility, Southern California Edison
Presenters: Keri Askew Bailey, Group Vice President, Charter Communications; Antonia Castro-Graham, Deputy City Manager, City of Fullerton; Sunne McPeak, Presiden, and CEO, California Emerging Technology Fund; Michael Santorelli, Director at Advanced Communications Law & Policy Institute, New York School of Law
The League Partner program is developing a list of Partner-led educational sessions that can be drawn from throughout the year to provide educational sessions for conferences, regional division meetings, or webinars. The ability to submit a session is restricted to League Partner members and is a direct benefit of participation in the program. Partners should submit session concepts and potential presenters via our online submission tool.
Partner Directory
League Partners represent many industries and bring a unique perspective to city officials. One of the program’s many benefits is enrollment in a searchable online service directory.
Search the Partner Directory >
Partner Briefings
City Attorneys Spring Conference
May 17-19, 2023
Hyatt Regency Monterey
1 Old Golf Course Rd, Monterey, CA
Join the League of California Cities for three days of educational content and networking at the next Spring Conference.
The conference provides city attorneys with in-depth information about the latest municipal law issues, along with opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the state. Previous topics included emerging issues related to revenue measures, police reform and qualified immunity, housing legislation, and more. MCLE credits are offered.
For questions, please contact Associate Manager, Event Program Katie Pebler.
Conference Information
Registration Open
Lunch on Your Own
General Session
1:00–3:00 p.m.
Moderator
Dave Fleishman, City Attorney, Pismo Beach and Solvang
Welcoming Remarks
Speaker
Celia Brewer, City Attorney, Carlsbad
Municipal Tort and Civil Rights Litigation Update
Speaker
Timothy T. Coates, Partner,
Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland
Police Reform: Legal Challenges and Solutions
Speakers
Imran Dar, Associate, Renne Public Law Group
Jonathan Holtzman, Founding Partner, Renne Public Law Group
Yuval Miller, Arbitrator/Mediator, Law Offices of Yuval Miller
General Session
Moderator
Michael Colantuono, City Attorney, Grass Valley
The Tension Between the Right to Privacy and Police Technology
Speakers
James E. "Jeb" Brown, Senior Counsel, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Neil Okazaki, Assistant City Attorney, City of Riverside
Peace Officer Personnel Records and the California Public Records Act
Speaker
Geoffrey Sheldon, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
New Lawyers Meet and Greet (Fewer than 10 years of municipal law practice)
LEGOLAND BLOCK PARTY
Note: Attendees will not have full access to the park.
Registration Open
Breakfast
General Session
Moderator
Eric Danly, City Attorney, Petaluma
Staffing a Public Meeting: From War Stories to Your Story
Speakers
Joseph (Seph) Petta, Partner, Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP
Derek Cole, Partner, Cole Huber LLP
Daniel Sodergren, City Attorney, Pleasanton
Jennifer Mizrahi, City Attorney, Desert Hot Springs
(Stream Kim)
Attorney Succession and Development Committee
Practical Tips When Partnering with Outside Investigators
Speakers
Eli Makus, Managing Partner, Van Dermyden Makus
Christina "Tina" Ro-Connolly, Partner, Oppenheimer Investigations Group
Vida Thomas, Partner, Oppenheimer Investigations Group
General Session
10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Moderator
Joseph Montes, City Attorney, Alhambra, San Marino, and Santa Clarita
Labor and Employment Litigation Update
Speaker
Geoffrey S. Sheldon, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Frequent FLSA Liability Risks in Public Agencies
Speaker
Jennifer Palagi, Associate, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Networking Luncheon
12:30–1:30 p.m.
General Session
Moderator
Dave Fleishman, City Attorney, Pismo Beach and Solvang
Department Business Meeting and Colleague Recognition
- President’s Report
- Director’s Report
- Colleague Recognition
Public Contracting: Purchasing Requirements and Renewable Energy/ Energy Efficient Projects
Speakers
Andrew Jared, Senior Counsel, Colantuono Highsmith & Whatley
Ephraim Margolin, Associate Attorney, Colantuono Highsmith & Whatley
FPPC Committee Update on Providing Conflict of Interest Advice
Speakers
Teresa Stricker, City Attorney,
San Pablo
Rebecca Moon, Senior Assistant Attorney, Sunnyvale
General Session
Moderator
Dave Fleishman, City Attorney, Pismo Beach and Solvang
New Housing Laws: Navigating & Implementing SB 8, 9, 10
Speakers
Claire Lai, Of Counsel, Meyers Nave
Alex Mog, Of Counsel, Meyers Nave
Scott Porter, Assistant City Attorney, Jones & Mayer
Concurrent Group Discussions
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Town Hall
Moderator
Eric Casher, City Attorney, Pinole, Principal, Meyers Nave
Coastal Cities
Moderator
Cindie McMahon, Carlsbad
Homelessness
Moderator
Andrew Jared, Senior Counsel, Colantuono Highsmith & Whatley
Solo and Small City Attorney Offices
Moderator
Heather Stroud, City Attorney, South Lake Tahoe
Fun Run
Breakfast
7:45–9:00 a.m.
Registration Open
7:45-10:30 a.m.
General Session
9:00–10:15 a.m.
Moderator
Eric Danly, City Attorney, Petaluma
Land Use and CEQA Litigation Update
Speaker
William Ihrke, City Attorney, La Quinta, Cerritos, Partner, Rutan & Tucker
The Mitigation Fee Act's Five-Year Findings Requirement: Beware Costly Pitfalls
Speakers
Glen Hansen, Senior Counsel, Abbott & Kindermann, Inc.
Rick Jarvis, Managing Partner, Jarvis, Fay & Gibson, LLP
General Session
10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Moderator
Joseph Montes, City Attorney, Alhambra, San Marino, and Santa Clarita
General Municipal Litigation Update (MCLE Specialty Credit for Ethics)
Speaker
Pamela K. Graham, Senior Counsel, Colantuono Highsmith Whatley, PC
Update on Counsel and Council Publication - A Focus On Ethics (MCLE Specialty Credit for Ethics)
Speakers
Valerie Armento, Chair, Ad Hoc Counsel and Council Committee, Interim City Attorney/General Counsel, City of East Palo Alto/Santa Clara County Habitat Agency
Glen Googins, City Attorney,
Chula Vista
Inder Khalsa, City Attorney, Davis, Mill Valley, Richards, Watson & Gershon
Rules of Professional Conduct for City Attorneys
Speaker
Heather Linn Rosing,
Shareholder and CEO, Klinedinst PC
Adjourn
Complete the Spring Conference evaluation here.
View the complete set of papers here.
To access papers individually by session, see links below.
Read speaker bios here.
Municipal Tort and Civil Rights Litigation Update
Police Reform: Legal Challenges and Solutions
The Tension Between the Right to Privacy and Police Technology
Peace Officer Personnel Records and the California Public Records Act
Staffing a Public Meeting: From War Stories to Your Story
Practical Tips When Partnering with Outside Investigators
Labor and Employment Litigation Update
Frequent FLSA Liability Risks in Public Agencies
Public Contracting: Purchasing Requirements and Renewable Energy/ Energy Efficient Projects
Speakers: Andrew Jared, Senior Counsel, Colantuono Highsmith & Whatley
Ephraim Margolin, Associate Attorney, Colantuono Highsmith & Whatley
Paper | PowerPoint
FPPC Committee Update on Providing Conflict of Interest Advice
New Housing Laws: Navigating & Implementing SB 8, 9, 10
Land Use and CEQA Litigation Update
Paper | PowerPoint
The Mitigation Fee Act's Five-Year Findings Requirement: Beware Costly Pitfalls
Speakers: Glen Hansen, Senior Counsel, Abbott & Kindermann
Rick Jarvis, Managing Partner, Jarvis, Fay & Gibson
Paper | PowerPoint
General Municipal Litigation Update
Rules of Professional Conduct for City Attorneys
Update on Counsel & Council Publication - A Focus on Ethics
2021 Conference
2021 Conference Session Descriptions
Virtual Fun Run - Sponsored by Best Best & Krieger
7:30 a.m.
A time-honored tradition, the Spring Conference Fun Run will commence virtually for the 2021 conference. Join your colleagues in a virtual 5K that you can take part in at your convenience between April 29 and May 21. Sign up for the Fun Run, download a virtual race bib to wear during your run, then upload your results once completed. Bonus if you can share a photo once completed on the Fun Run website.
Meet & Greet for Under 10 (less than 10 years of municipal practice)
8:30-9:15 a.m.
Department Business Meeting
9:30-11:30 a.m.
Coffee with Colleagues
8:15-8:45 a.m.
Join members of the City Attorneys' Department for informal networking over your morning coffee. Registered conference attendees are invited to attend. Refer to your welcome email for login information.
General Session
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Moderator: Lynn Tracy Nerland, City Attorney, San Pablo
Competency and Mindful Lawyering (MCLE Specialty Credit for Competency Issues)
Speaker: Mark Fingerman, Esq., LLM., ADR Services, Functional Mindfulness
Labor and Employment Litigation Update
Speaker: Suzanne Solomon, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Elected Officials and Employment Law: When the Rules Don't Apply
Speakers: Rebecca Green, Senior Attorney, Richards, Watson & Gershon | Jennifer Petrusis, Shareholder, Richards, Watson & Gershon
I Hear That Train A'comin': Municipal Legal Issues Involving Railroads
Concurrent Group Discussions
8:15-8:45 a.m.
Attend a discussion led by a subject-matter experts on topics including coastal cities, disaster preparedness, homelessness, and solo offices/small cities. Registered conference attendees are invited to attend. Refer to your welcome email for login information.
General Session
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
General Municipal Litigation Update
Speaker: Holly O. Whatley, Assistant City Attorney, Shareholder, South Pasadena, Ojai, Sierra Madre, Colantuono Highsmith Whatley, PC
Emerging Trends in Class Action Challenges to Revenue Measures
Speaker: Ryan Dunn, Senior Counsel, Colantuono Highsmith & Whatley
TNC-User Tax: Getting Rideshare Companies to Pay Their ‘Fare’ Share
Speaker: Benjamin P. Fay, Partner, Jarvis, Fay, & Gibson, LLP
City Attorney Escape Room: Packaging Legal Advice for Non-Attorney Clients
Coffee with Colleagues
8:15-8:45 a.m.
Join members of the City Attorneys' Department for informal networking over your morning coffee. Registered conference attendees are invited to attend. Refer to your welcome email for login information.
General Session
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Moderator: Amy Albano, City Attorney, Burbank
Municipal Tort and Civil Rights Litigation Update
Speaker: Timothy t. Coates, Partner, Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland
A Rising tide against Qualified Immunity?
Speakers: Scott Davenport, General Counsel, Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP | Eugene P. Ramirez, Senior Partner, Manning & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP
How Cities are Addressing Police Reform
Speakers: Jamal Anderson, Senior Associate, Renne Public Law Group | Jonathan V. Holtzman, Founding Partner, Renne Public Law Group
Black Lives Matter as Government Speech
Speaker: Catherine Engberg, City Attorney, Half Moon Bay
Coffee with Colleagues
8:15-8:45 a.m.
Join members of the City Attorneys' Department for informal networking over your morning coffee. Registered conference attendees are invited to attend. Refer to your welcome email for login information.
General Session
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Moderator: Dave Fleishman, City Attorney, Pismo Beach, Solvang
Land Use and CEQA Litigation Update
How Cities Can Abate Nuisance Properties at No Cost
Speakers: Dylan Brady, Assistant City Attorney, Petaluma | Ryan Griffith, Attorney & Associate Receiver, Bay Area Receivership Group | Amanda Pope, Attorney & Director of City Receiverships, Jones & Mayer
New Housing Legislation: Lessons Learned from Recent Litigation
Speakers: Barbara Kautz, Partner, Goldfarb & Lipman LLP | Kevin Siegel, Partner, Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP
Public-Private Partnerships (P3s): How to Deliver Innovative, Local-Serving Projects
Virtual Fun Run Finish Line
12:30 p.m.
Thank you to Best Best & Krieger for sponsoring this time-honored tradition during the 2021 Spring Conference. We would like to thank everyone for participating in the 2021 Virtual 5K Fun Run, we hope you enjoyed it!
Virtual Fun Run Results/Closing Remarks
12:30 p.m.
2021 Conference Access for Registered Attendees
In addition to access to all live sessions, session materials, and virtual networking opportunities, registering for the conference grants you access to all session recordings for later viewing for a limited time. View the session recordings.
Thank You Sponsors
Call for Proposals
The City Attorneys Department of the League of California Cities solicits session proposals for two unique events throughout the year:
- January 1 – for the City Attorneys programming at Annual Conference (current year)
- June 1 – September 30, for City Attorneys Spring Conference (next year) Submit a proposal here.
We encourage you to take advantage of this exciting opportunity to share your ideas, knowledge and expertise with this important audience!
Who Can Submit
Submissions, non-commercial in nature, from any individual, group, business or organization, on any topic are welcome. The City Attorneys Department Officers will consider the educational value of each proposal and the extent to which it presents new and/or significant information. There is a limit of 3 submissions per law firm.
How It Works
Only proposals submitted online through the proposal form will be considered. As there is a 300 word limit for the description of each proposal, it is recommended you write your proposal in a word-processing program first and paste the final version into the online form.
Secrets to Great Proposals
Securing a spot on the program is highly competitive. You can increase your chances by preparing a thorough, thoughtful and complete proposal that tells how your session would help city attorneys and attorneys who work with local governments to improve their practice. When preparing your proposal consider the following elements:
- Is the topic new and/or critical for local government?
- Will this issue stimulate action and further important discussion?
- Sessions may not include sales, commercialism or product promotion of any kind.
Proposals are evaluated by the City Attorneys Department Officers. Criteria include:
- Information relevance
- Content expands knowledge
- Examples to support information
- Originality
- Timeliness
- Inclusion of good, solid ideas
- Logical conclusions
- Identification of resources
- Avoidance of product/vendor commercial
- Completeness
- Overall submittal
Submission Requirements and Review
The City Attorneys Department Officers will consider the educational value of each proposal and the extent to which it presents new or significant information. The department especially encourages submissions from new presenters with strong subject matter expertise and relevant speaking experience before larger audiences.
General Session Proposals
- Conference content covers a wide array of topics affecting local government. This format permits session time allotments range from 15 minutes to 60 minutes of an engaging presentation and discussion. The time allotted for each session may be shared by more than one speaker. The City Attorneys Department Officers reserve the right to adjust the time allotted for each session in order to place each session within the program time limits.
- If an originally accepted speaker cancels, the session may be rejected in the officers' sole discretion.
- Additional speakers not included in the original proposal are not permitted to be added without prior review and approval by the Officers and the League of California Cities.
- Paper - Each presenter must prepare a paper to accompany his or her presentation that meets the State Bar of California MCLE requirements.
- Presentation - Each presenter must prepare a PowerPoint presentation to accompany his or her presentation.
Please note: the City Attorneys Department Officers reserve the right to modify accepted proposal session titles, descriptions, presenters or other elements as necessary to ensure balance, quality, and enhance marketability.
Registration and Speaker Policy
The League of California Cities is a not-for-profit association, and to keep registration costs as low as possible, is unable to provide any reimbursement of expenses, travel, or other compensations. We recognize and deeply appreciate your interest and commitment. The success of our program depends on the efforts of practicing professionals willing to volunteer their time to professional education. Registration information will be available at www.calcities.org/events
Privacy Policy
We value your privacy and will never share any of your personal information nor sell your e-mail address to an outside party.
Contact Staff
Mike Egan
Manager, Sponsorship and Corporate Development
(916) 658-8271
Become a League Partner
Helen Putnam Awards
The Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program recognizes and promotes the outstanding efforts and innovative solutions made by city governments each year. Learn about the Helen Putnam Awards.
Cities for Workforce Health
The Cities for Workforce Health helps support cities develop and foster employee wellness programs. Along with Kaiser Permanente, and Keenan & Associates, League Partners work to provide educational content, one-on-one consultation, and financial support to cities at a variety of levels. Learn about Cities for Workforce Health.