City Attorneys
The City Attorneys Department is comprised of the attorneys that represent Cal Cities’ member cities. The department president is generally responsible for the department’s work, assisted by the first vice president, second vice presidents, and department representative on the Cal Cities Board of Directors.
The Cal Cities' Legal Department staff, including the general counsel, the assistant general counsel, the senior deputy general counsel, and the executive assistant, legal services, assists the officers in implementing the department’s goals:
- Advance the purposes and goals of Cal Cities;
- Support and encourage high-quality legal advice to and representation of California cities by producing conferences, continuing education programs, and other works of interest in the field of municipal law;
- Foster the professional development and enrichment of Department members by providing the opportunity to exchange ideas, consult with one another and meet with persons in or associated with municipal law;
- Encourage the continued advancement of city attorneys by supporting professional accomplishment and adherence to high ethical standards;
- Serve as a technical and advisory department to Cal Cities, including analysis of pending legislation and litigation; and
- Advance the interest of cities by helping to improve, shape and develop municipal law through Cal Cities' Legal Advocacy Program and legislative advocacy efforts.
Second Vice President - Prasanna Rasiah, City Attorney, San Mateo
Appointed by the department president, the City Attorneys Department has at least one representative on each of Cal Cities' policy committees. Representatives provide technical information to the committee, ensure that the department has a voice in the decision-making process, and help make recommendations to the board of directors on legislative and policy issues.
- Community Services - Benjamin Jones (Assistant City Attorney, Carson)
- Environmental Quality - Candice Lee (City Attorney, Agoura Hills and Covina)
- Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations - Katherine Mirassou (Deputy City Attorney, Livermore)
- Housing, Community, and Economic Development - Walter Chung (City Attorney, Vista)
- Public Safety - Brigid Martin (Deputy City Attorney, Oakland)
- Revenue and Taxation - Kendall DeMatteo Levan (Senior Principal Attorney, Kane, Ballmer & Berkman)
- Transportation, Communication, and Public Works - Brian Pierik (City Attorney, Atascadero, the City of Carmel by-the-Sea, and the City of Pacific Grove)
- Ad-hoc Enhancing Participation and Inclusion Committee
- Attorney Development and Succession Committee
- Brown Act Committee
- California Public Records Act Committee
- Cannabis Regulation Committee
- Emergency Response Committee
- FPPC Committee
- Legal Advocacy Committee
- Municipal Finance Committee
- Municipal Law Handbook Committee
- Municipal Law Institute Committee
- Nominating Committee
- Nov. 3, 2023 Essential Hour: Your First ‘Disastrous’ Hour
- Aug. 18, 2023 Essential Hour: Your First Ordinance or Resolution
- Nov. 4, 2022 Essential Hour: Conflicts of Interest 101
- Aug. 5, 2022 Essential Hour: The Basics of Municipal Revenues: Taxes, Fees, and Assessments
- Nov. 5, 2021 Essential Hour: Your First Public Meeting – Brown Act Basics
- Aug. 13, 2021 Essential Hour: Your First Public Records Request Response
- 2023 Cannabis Regulatory Updates
- Counsel and Council: A Guide to Building a Productive City Attorney-City Council Relationship
- Disaster Playbook
- Providing Conflict of Interest Advice
- Propositions 26 and 218 Implementation Guide
- Seed to Sale: A Guide to Regulating Cannabis in California Cities (September 2021)
- Practicing Ethics: A Handbook for Municipal Lawyers (Revised 2nd Edition, 2020)
- The People's Business: A Guide to the California Public Records Act (September 2022)
- Open & Public VI: A Guide to the Ralph M Brown Act (2024)
- Ralph M. Brown Act (as of January 1, 2016)
- LCC Technical Assistance Memorandum - Funding Stormwater Programs Under Proposition 218 (May 22, 2014)
- Ballot Measure Advocacy and the Law: Legal Issues Associated with Use of Public Resources for Ballot Measure Activities
- Rosenberg's Rules of Order: Simple Parliamentary Procedures for the 21st Century
- The California Municipal Law Handbook
Legal Advocacy
Laws affecting cities are made in the courts, as well as in the Legislature. Consequently, Cal Cities advocacy efforts extend to the appellate courts. The organization weighs in on legal issues where its participation is likely to help advance the legal interests of all California cities. Learn more about our Legal Advocacy efforts and committee or request amicus support.
Upcoming Department Meetings
Rancho Mirage
October 17, 2024
Department Business Meeting
Annual Conference & Expo, Long Beach
City Attorneys Spring Conference
May 8-10, 2024
Westin Rancho Mirage
71333 Dinah Shore Dr, Rancho Mirage, CA
Register*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 sponsorship questions, please contact Associate Manager, Exposition Sales and Event Sponsors, Amy Wade.
For registration questions, please contact Megan Dunn. For program questions, please contact Erin Wylder.
Please see our event and meeting policies.
*With an update in technology, registration will now happen directly through your MyCalCities account. If you have not used your MyCalCities account already, please review details about the portal and contact us for questions. You will be asked to log in to register. Registration will require a credit card.
2024 Conference Information
Full Registration Includes:
- Admission to all educational sessions
- Admission to the Wednesday reception; Thursday breakfast and lunch, and Friday breakfast
- Access to all program materials
Register online through your MyCalCities account by Wednesday, April 24.
To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact conference registrar, Megan Dunn. Every effort will be made to honor requests submitted.
Registration Process:
With an update in technology, registration will now happen directly through your MyCalCities account. Please take a moment to set up your account so you are ready to go for all Cal Cities events. If you have not used your MyCalCities account already, please review details about the portal and contact us for questions.
Note: You will need to be logged into your MyCalCities account to register. You can confirm you are logged in by checking the top of your webpage, which will say “Welcome” and your name when you are signed in.
Register here.
If you are registering someone other than yourself, first sign in as yourself and then choose the option to register someone else.
Note: Registrations through MyCalCities are available for credit card payments only. If you need to pay with a check, create your account and then reach out to conference registrar, Megan Dunn to request a mail-in registration form. Full payment is due at the time of registration. Registration via mail is available until Wednesday, April 24.
Conference registration is required to attend all conference activities. Sharing of registration is prohibited.
View Cal Cities’ event and meeting policies in advance of the conference.
Full Conference Registration Fees
| Represents Member City | $650 |
| Represents Non-Member City | $1,650 |
| Private Firms / Others | $775 |
One-Day Conference Registration Fees
| Represents Member City | $360 |
| Represents Non-Member City Officials | $1,360 |
| Private Firms / All Others | $485 |
| Guest Reception Pass* | $50 |
*The guest/spouse fee is restricted to persons who are not city or public officials, are not related to any Cal Cities Partner or sponsor, and would have no professional reason to attend the conference. It includes admission to Wednesday’s networking reception only. There is no refund for the cancellation of a guest/spouse registration. It is not advisable to use city funds to register a guest/spouse.
Refund Policy
Advance registrants unable to attend will receive a refund of rate paid, minus a $75 processing charge, only when a written request is submitted to Megan Dunn, and received on or before Wednesday, April. 24, 2024. Refunds will not be available after this date. If you are unable to attend, you may substitute a colleague for your entire registration.
A limited number of hotel rooms are available at reduced rates for registered attendees and sponsors. The deadline to reserve your discounted hotel room is Friday, April 5 or until the hotel block is sold out, whichever is sooner.
STEP ONE: Register for the Conference
Use the information outlined in the Registration section above to register for the conference. Once completed, details are found in your MyCalCities Portal. NOTE: Instructions on how to access your portal can be found at this link.
STEP TWO: Book a hotel room
Once you’ve registered, you will receive a confirmation email directing you to the group housing reservations page.
Westin Rancho Mirage
71333 Dinah Shore Dr, Rancho Mirage, CA
Group Hotel Rate (per night): $239 per night, Single/Double Occupancy (plus tax and fees)
Wednesday, May 8 – Friday, May 10
Discounted hotel rates are available until Friday, April 5, or until rooms sell out, whichever comes first. We recommend reserving your room early!
You must be registered for the conference prior to booking a hotel room. Do not make a hotel reservation unless you are sure it is needed. Your city/company will be financially responsible for all cancellation/attrition fees.
SCAM NOTICE: There are many hotel scammers who may contact you claiming to be the housing bureau/service for the conference. Official emails regarding the conference will come from addresses ending in @calcities.org or the Westin Rancho Mirage.
Parking and Transportation
Self parking is complimentary at the Westin for attendees of the conference (subject to change).
Nearby Airports:
Palm Springs International Airport: 6.7 miles away
Ontario International Airport: 80 miles away
Los Angeles International Airport: 110 miles away
*Schedule subject to change
View the full City Attorneys Spring Conference program here.
2023 Conference Session Descriptions
View the 2023 City Attorneys Spring Program.
Registration Open
10:30 a.m.-6:15 p.m.
Lunch On Your Own
11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
General Session
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Moderator:
Eric Danly, President, City Attorneys Department and City Attorney, Petaluma
- Welcoming Remarks
Speaker:
Christine Davi, City Attorney, Monterey
- Land Use and CEQA Litigation Update
Speaker:
William Ihrke, City Attorney, Cerritos and La Quinta, Partner, Rutan & Tucker
- “… and Other Duties as Required”: Talking to Non-Clients
Speakers:
Derek Cole, City Attorney, Oakley, Sutter Creek, Partner, Cole Huber
Joseph “Seph” Petta, Deputy City Attorney, Half Moon Bay, Partner, Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger
Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney,
Vernon
Deepa Sharma, Assistant City Attorney, Piedmont, Partner, Burke, Williams & Sorensen
General Session
3:15-4:45 p.m.
Moderator:
Michael Colantuono, Department Director, City Attorneys Department and City Attorney, Grass Valley, Managing Shareholder, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley
- Implementing Districts - Now That You Have Gone to Districts, What Next?
Speakers:
Holly O. Whatley, Shareholder, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley
Doug Johnson, President, National Demographics Corporation
Randi Johl, Legislative Director / City Clerk, Temecula
- Housing Legislation and Status Density Bonus Law Update
Speakers:
Iman Novin, President, Novin Development Corp.
Patricia Curtin, Legal Counsel to Cities and Special Districts, Fennemore Wendel
Amara L. Morrison, Director, Fennemore Wendel
New Lawyers Meet and Greet (Under 10 years of municipal law practice)
5:00-6:00 p.m.
Meet colleagues, learn about the City Attorneys Department, share ideas about municipal law, and engage with the Cal Cities Attorney Development and Succession Committee.
Reception
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Make new friends and see old ones while enjoying delicious appetizers and tasty beverages during the evening networking reception. No host beverages.
Registration Open
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Breakfast
8:00-9:30 a.m.
Concurrent Group Discussions
8:30-9:30 a.m.
New for 2023! Grab breakfast off the buffet and join one of these topical group discussions:
- Coastal Cities
Moderator:
Cindie McMahon, City Attorney, Carlsbad
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Town Hall
Moderator:
Michael Lawson, City Attorney, Hayward
- Homelessness and the Unsheltered
Moderator:
Andrew Jared, Senior Counsel, Colantuono Highsmith & Whatley
- Solo and Small City Attorney Offices
Moderator:
Heather Stroud, City Attorney, South Lake Tahoe
General Session
9:45-11:15 a.m.
Moderator:
Susana Alcala Wood, Second Vice President, City Attorneys Department and City Attorney, Sacramento
- Preparation of Official Statements: Interplay between Disclosure Counsel and the Client
Speaker:
Jeffrey Massey, Senior Deputy City Attorney, Sacramento
Lawrence Chan, Shareholder, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth
- The Unsheltered Residing in our Communities: Navigating Constitutional and Practical Concerns
Speakers:
Rene Alejandro Ortega, Partner, Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger
Eric Salbert, Deputy City Attorney, Chico, Senior Associate, Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin
General Session
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Moderator:
Joseph Montes, First Vice President, City Attorneys Department and City Attorney, Alhambra, San Marino, and Santa Clarita, Partner, Burke, Williams & Sorensen
- Municipal Tort and Civil Rights Litigation Update
Speakers:
Alana Rotter, Partner, Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland
Neil Okazaki, Deputy City Attorney / Police Legal Advisor, Corona
Networking Luncheon
12:30-1:30 p.m.
General Session
1:45-3:15 p.m.
Moderator:
Eric Danly, President, City Attorneys Department and City Attorney, Petaluma
- Department Business Meeting and Colleague Recognition
- President’s Report- Eric Danly
- Department Bylaws Amendments- Eric Danly
- Director’s Report- Michael Colantuono
- Colleague Recognition- Department Officers
- Labor and Employment Litigation Update
Speakers:
Geoffrey S. Sheldon, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Elizabeth Tom Arce, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
General Session
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Moderator:
Susana Alcala Wood, Second Vice President, City Attorneys Department and City Attorney, Sacramento
- SB 1383: What it is and How it Impacts Every Jurisdiction
Speakers:
Dana Dean, Counsel, Hanson Bridgett
Beth Hummer, Counsel, Hanson Bridgett
Alene Taber, Counsel, Hanson Bridgett
(MCLE Specialty Credit for Implicit Bias)
- DEIB, Microaggressions, and Decentering: A Path to Cultural Shift in Organizations
Speakers:
David Gonzalez, Associate, Aleshire & Wynder
Elena Gerli, City Attorney, Suisun City, Assistant City Attorney, La Cañada Flintridge and Rancho Palos Verdes, Partner, Aleshire &
Wynder
Yecenia Vargas, Assistant City Attorney, Perris and Cypress, Associate, Aleshire & Wynder
Fun Run
7:00-7:45 a.m.
Sponsored by Best Best & Krieger
Networking Breakfast
8:00-9:00 a.m.
Registration
8:00-10:30 a.m.
General Session
9:00-10:30 a.m.
Moderator:
Joseph Montes, First Vice President, City Attorneys Department and City Attorney, Alhambra, San Marino, and Santa Clarita, Partner, Burke, Williams & Sorensen
- General Municipal Litigation Update
Speaker:
Pamela K. Graham, Senior Counsel, Colantuono Highsmith & Whatley
- What to do When First Amendment Auditors Come to Town
Speaker:
Deborah Fox, Principal and Chair of First Amendment and Trial & Litigation Practice Groups, Meyers Nave
General Session
10:45 a.m.-noon
Moderator:
Michael Colantuono, Department Director, City Attorneys Department and City Attorney, Grass Valley, Managing Shareholder, Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley
(MCLE Specialty Credit for Competence Issues)
- Impaired Colleague? Addressing Attorney Competency, the Warning Signs, and Getting Help
Speaker:
Lita Abella, Sr. Program Analyst, Office of Professional Competence, Lawyer Assistance Program, The State Bar of California
- Closing Remarks and Adjourn
View the 2023 Officers Memo and Proposed Bylaws Amendment.
Complete the Spring Conference evaluation here.
View the full conference papers.
View the speaker bios.
Find papers and PowerPoints for sessions below in order of the agenda:
Land Use and CEQA Litigation Update
Speaker:
William Ihrke, City Attorney, Cerritos and La Quinta, Partner, Rutan & Tucker
“… and Other Duties as Required”: Talking to Non-Clients
Speakers:
Derek Cole, City Attorney, Oakley, Sutter Creek, Partner, Cole Huber
Joseph “Seph” Petta, Deputy City Attorney, Half Moon Bay, Partner, Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger
Zaynah Moussa, City Attorney, Vernon
Deepa Sharma, Assistant City Attorney, Piedmont, Partner, Burke, Williams & Sorensen
Implementing Districts - Now That You Have Gone to Districts, What Next?
Speakers:
Holly O. Whatley, Shareholder, Highsmith & Whatley
Doug Johnson, President, National Demographics Corporation
Randi Johl, Legislative Director / City Clerk, Temecula
Housing Legislation and Status Density Bonus Law Update
Speakers:
Iman Novin, President, Novin Development Corp.
Patricia Curtin, Legal Counsel to Cities and Special Districts, Fennemore Wendel
Amara L. Morrison, Director, Fennemore Wendel
Preparation of Official Statements: Interplay between Disclosure Counsel and the Client
Speakers:
Jeffrey Massey, Senior Deputy City Attorney, Sacramento
Lawrence Chan, Shareholder, Stradling Yocca Carlson & Raut
The Unsheltered Residing in our Communities: Navigating Constitutional and Practical Concerns
Speakers:
Rene Alejandro Ortega, Partner, Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger
Eric Salbert, Deputy City Attorney, Chico, Senior Associate, Alvarez-Glasman & Colvin
Municipal Tort and Civil Rights Litigation Update
Speakers:
Alana Rotter, Partner, Greines, Martin, Stein & Richland
Neil Okazaki, Deputy City Attorney / Police Legal Advisor, Corona
Labor and Employment Litigation Update
Speakers:
Geoffrey S. Sheldon, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
Elizabeth Tom Arce, Partner, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
SB 1383: What it is and How it Impacts Every Jurisdiction
Speakers:
Dana Dean, Counsel, Hanson Bridgett
Beth Hummer, Counsel, Hanson Bridgett
Alene Taber, Counsel, Hanson Bridgett
DEIB, Microaggressions, and Decentering: A Path to Cultural Shift in Organizations
Speakers:
David Gonzalez, Associate, Aleshire & Wynder
Elena Gerli, City Attorney, Suisun City, Assistant City Attorney, La Cañada Flintridge and Rancho Palos Verdes, Partner, Aleshire & Wynder
Yecenia Vargas, Assistant City Attorney, Perris and Cypress, Associate, Aleshire & Wynder
General Municipal Litigation Update
Speaker:
Pamela K. Graham, Senior Counsel, Colantuono Highsmith & Whatley
What to do When First Amendment Auditors Come to Town
Speaker:
Deborah Fox, Principal and Chair of First Amendment and Trial & Litigation Practice Groups, Meyers Nave
(MCLE Specialty Credit for Competence Issues)
Impaired Colleague? Addressing Attorney Competency, the Warning Signs, and Getting Help
Speaker:
Lita Abella, Sr. Program Analyst, Office of Professional Competence, Lawyer Assistance Program, The State Bar of California
MCLE Credit
The League of California Cities1 is a State Bar of California minimum continuing legal education (MCLE) approved provider and certifies this activity meets the standards for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California in the total amount of 11.25 hours, including .75 hours of Implicit Bias subfield credit and 1 hour of Competence Issues subfield credit.
1 Provider No. 1985
2022 Conference Session Descriptions
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 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
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Contact Staff
Sheri Chapman
General Counsel
916-658-8267
Emily Taylor
Senior Deputy General Counsel
916-658-8266
Janet Leonard
Executive Assistant, Legal Services
(916) 658-8276