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PEOPLE ( RESULTS)


NATHAN D. ANDERSEN

This page is under construction.
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California


MICHAELA BATTISTA SOZIO

This page is under construction.
 * Litigation


TIFFINY M. FOX

Tiffiny M. Walls-Fox is an experienced civil litigator and trial lawyer who
takes an entrepreneurial and efficient approach to helping clients resolve their
most daunting legal challenges. In her career, she has first or second chaired
five trials, including three jury trials. In her most recent trial, Tiffiny
secured a defense verdict within 45 minutes of deliberation after a three week
jury trial. Tiffiny has successfully negotiated hundreds of litigated and
non-litigated matters, involving business disputes, general liability, products
liability, premises liability, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases.
Tiffiny’s practice consists of performing Examinations under Oath in tandem with
the special investigations unit for insurance carriers and defending public
entities such as cities, school districts, utility companies and transportation
agencies.  In this vein, she defends claims of dangerous conditions of public
property, claims of liability stemming from the wrongful conduct or negligent
acts of employees, and claims in defense of employment-related matters. These
defenses range from roadway design, to the protocols and practices for
maintaining streets, sidewalks, and infrastructure, to urban forestry, as well
as termination and/or discriminatory employment-related matters. While Tiffiny’s
practice focuses on public-entity defense, she has extensive experience in
complex civil litigation, insurance defense, and investigating insurance fraud.
Tiffiny is also a thought leader in the development and implementation of DEI
programs and initiatives to attract, retain, and mentor diverse attorneys to
promote the evolving need for a diverse legal community.
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * Chief Executive Officer, Walls Family Scholar Athlete Foundation (September
   2023 – Present; Executive Vice President (March 2007 – August 2023)
 * Board of Governors and Member, Beverly Hills Bar Association (October 2022 –
   Present)
 * Board Member, UCLA UniCamp Board of Trustees (September 2014 – Present)
 * Member, City Club Los Angeles (December 2022 – Present)
 * Founder, 1st Fridays – all professions monthly networking event (September
   2019 – Present)
 * Board Member and Member, Santa Monica Bar Association (October 2019 – October
   2022)
 * Chair, University of Miami School of Law Young Alumni Committee (2011 – 2016)


ALEXANDRA MULHALL

Alexandra (Alex) Mulhall is a an associate in Burke’s Los Angeles office where
she is a member of Burke’s Public Law and Litigation practice groups. Alex
advises and represents public entity clients on a variety of matters, including
the California Public Records Act and the Brown Act.

Alex earned her J.D. from the University of California Los Angeles School of
Law. During law school, Alex interned for the Housing Authority of the City of
Los Angeles, as well as the Los Angeles County Counsel in the Government
Services Division.

Alex served as a Managing Editor of the UCLA Journal of Gender & Law. Alex also
worked for the UCLA Voting Rights Project as a law fellow, assisting in voting
rights litigation and policy initiatives.

Prior to law school, Alex graduated summa cum laude from the University of
Wyoming with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Honors. Throughout her
undergraduate studies, Alex served in student government which allowed her to
engage with both the local city council and state legislature, lobbying for
student needs.

 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California


ZACHERY A. LOPES

Zachery joins the firm with several years of experience in all matters of public
sector collective bargaining. This includes serving as a lead negotiator,
administrative litigator before local adjudicative bodies, contracted
adjudicators, and the California Public Employee Relations Board ("PERB"), and
civil litigator in both state and federal courts with an emphasis on collective
bargaining and public law matters. Zachery is also an experienced appellate
litigator, having served as lead counsel for and argued matters before several
state courts of appeal and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal, and lead counsel
before the United States Supreme Court on behalf of several large entity clients
as amicus curiae.  He is also experienced with public employee disciplinary
matters. Zachery received his law degree with distinction from the University of
Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. He is a member of the Roger J. Traynor Society,
McGeorge's scholastic honor society. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the
University of California, Davis, with majors in political science and
philosophy, and is an alumnus of the University of California Washington Center.
Zachery is currently a graduate student at the University of Southern
California's Sol Price School of Public Policy.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of the United States
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * California Lawyers Association - Public Law Section


MARC BARRAZA TRAN

Marc Barraza Tran is an attorney in Burke’s Public Law practice group. Marc’s
practice includes both litigation and transactional representation pertaining to
public law and constitutional law. His practice also includes housing, real
estate, land use and zoning, and environmental law.

He previously served as the City Attorney for the City of Adelanto, Assistant
City Attorney for the cities of Bell Gardens and La Puente, and Deputy City
Attorney for dozens of cities throughout the state.

Marc earned his law degree from the University of California, College of the
Law, San Francisco (formerly Hastings College of the Law), where he was
Production Editor for the Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal.
During law school, he served as judicial extern for the Honorable Virginia A.
Phillips of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and
the Honorable Carol D. Codrington of the Fourth District Court of Appeal. He
also interned with the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office, the San Francisco
Board of Supervisors, and the AIDS Legal Referral Panel.

Prior to attending law school, Marc was a community organizer in the Inland
Empire. He earned his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from the University of
California, Riverside. He is licensed to practice law in the State of
California.

In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and whittling.

 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California


ALAN M. COHEN

Alan brings thirty-years of experience to the firm’s Public Law, Labor and
Employment and Litigation Practice groups. Alan is a trusted solution-oriented
advisor whose public agency devoted practice spans fifteen years as in-house
counsel for the cities of Alameda and Vallejo and over a decade in private
practice defending public agencies and their law enforcement agencies in civil
rights and tort liability cases.

Alan’s specialties include municipal governance, police practices and
procedures, labor and employment, energy and utilities, risk management, code
enforcement, public contracting and procurement, public finance, the Brown Act,
the Fair Political Practices Act and the Public Records Act.

He provides a broad range of counseling, regulatory, litigation and
transactional services to locally owned and operated utilities including
electric power generation, alternative, renewable and clean energy, power
purchase agreements and transmission and interconnection agreements.

Alan’s litigation experience includes federal and state trial court and
appellate practice which includes police liability and civil rights litigation,
dangerous condition and personal injury claims, inverse condemnation, land use,
employment, breach of contract, unlawful detainer, tax, public finance, wrongful
death lawsuits and writ/mandamus proceedings. In addition, his experience as a
litigator provides him with a unique perspective on lawsuit avoidance and he
frequently provides counseling, advice, and training to his public agency and
law enforcement clients on litigation avoidance, including claims handling and
investigation, police policy development and training and sidewalk liability.

 * Constitutional Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States Tax Court


ANNA G. BARKER

Anna (“Annie”) Barker is an associate in Burke’s Los Angeles office and a member
of Burke’s Labor and Employment practice group.

Annie earned her J.D. from UC Irvine School of Law with Pro Bono High Honors.
During the summers, she interned with the Children’s Law Center of California
and the University of California Office of the Present Legal. In Fall 2022,
Annie externed full time with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Civil
Rights, Educational Opportunities Section in Washington D.C.

During law school, Annie spent two years as a Certified Law Student representing
domestic violence survivors in all stages of civil litigation through UCI’s
Domestic Violence Clinic. She received the Faculty Award for her work in clinic.

Prior to law school, Annie worked as a Student Affairs Officer at UCLA. She
graduated magna cum laude from Loyola Marymount University with dual Bachelor of
Arts in English and Theatre Arts.

 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations

 * State Bar of California


SOLANGE Z. FORTENBACH

Solange Fortenbach is an associate in Burke’s Public Law and Litigation practice
groups.  Solange earned her Bachelors at New York University where she double
majored in Politics and Environmental Science. At NYU, Solange was on the Moot
Court team and later interned in Washington D.C. at the U.S. Department of
Justice in the Environment and Natural Resources Division. Solange earned her
J.D. from the University of California, Irvine School of Law. During her first
semester at law school, Solange interned at the ACLU Southern California,
working advocacy hotlines for incarcerated individuals living in OC jails. 
Furthermore, for three semesters, Solange co-led a letter writing program where
students wrote and advocated for individuals living in Orange County (OC) jails.
Solange focused her schooling on refining speech and writing skills. She was a
quarter finalist in UCI’s Moot Court competition and received the Faculty Award
in both Supreme Court Litigation and Trial Advocacy.
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California


CAITLIN R. ELIASON

Pronouns: she, her, hers Caitlin Eliason is an associate in Burke’s San
Francisco office.  Caitlin focuses her practice on all areas of real estate,
land use, and environmental law. Caitlin advises both private and public clients
throughout the development process, including entitlements and administrative
approvals, CEQA compliance, and compliance with state housing laws. Caitlin
earned her J.D. from UC Law SF (formerly known as UC Hastings), where she
studied Environmental Law.  She graduated cum laude and is a member of the UC
Law SF Honor Society.  During law school, Caitlin earned CALI Awards for
achieving the highest grade in her Environmental Law, Administrative Law, and
Compliance & Risk Management courses.  Caitlin also served as the Co-President
of OUTLaw, UC Law SF’s LGBTQ+ student organization.  While in law school,
Caitlin worked as a summer associate for Burke. Prior to law school, Caitlin
worked for several years as a litigation paralegal in various practice areas,
working on cases from intake through every step of litigation.  Caitlin earned a
B.A. in Political Science from UC Riverside and an A.S. in Paralegal Studies
from Riverside City College. Outside of the office, Caitlin enjoys playing video
games, going to concerts, and spending time with her wife and their dog.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California

 * Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (“BALIF”)


MARIA AKOPYAN

As a dynamic member of Burke’s Litigation Practice Group, Maria Akopyan brings a
wealth of experience and a diverse legal background to her role. Her practice
involves representing business and public entities, such as cities,
transportation carriers, and insurance companies in complex contractual and tort
claims where she skillfully navigates the nuances of legal challenges with
strategic acumen and a strong sense of justice. Maria’s career path, marked by
significant achievements and continuous learning, reflects her unwavering
commitment to excellence, ethical practice, and client advocacy. Born and raised
in the sunny capital of Armenia, Yerevan, Maria embarked on her legal journey
with honors, earning her Bachelor of Laws degree from Slavonic University in the
top 10% of her class. Her academic pursuits then led her to Moscow, Russia where
she graduated cum laude with a Master’s degree from the Diplomatic Academy
furthering her studies in international relations and international law. Lastly,
she excelled academically graduating cum laude with a Master's degree in Law
from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. Maria’s academic pursuits are complemented
by an equally diverse professional background. She began her legal career at
Ernst & Young in Moscow, contributing significantly to the legal advisory
services. Her tenure at one of the Big Four firms equipped her with a deep
understanding of corporate law and the intricacies of international legal
practices. Maria’s move to the U.S. marked a significant step in her career,
broadening her legal perspective and enhancing her practical expertise. Prior to
joining Burke, she has been a part of established law firms in Los Angeles
handling high-value litigation and intricate investigations. Her practice there
encompassed construction defect, business/commercial law, including breach of
contract, fraud and unfair competition, labor and employment disputes, civil
rights, tort actions and more. In her current role at Burke, Maria is not only a
legal practitioner but also a proactive problem-solver and strategic thinker.
Her approach to litigation is comprehensive, involving active participation in
all stages of a case from initial case assessment through resolution. This
includes meticulous planning for written discovery, conducting and defending
depositions, motion practice, engaging in mediations and arbitrations, and
preparing for trial. Maria is multilingual, with fluency in Russian and
Armenian, and basic proficiency in Spanish. She is a certified Notary Public in
the State of California.
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * American Bar Association


LEE BURDICK

Lee Burdick provides legal representation for cities, counties and other public
agencies as Assistant City Attorney, County Counsel, and special counsel. Lee
currently serves as Assistant City Attorney for the cities of Rohnert Park and
Pacifica. She previously has served as County Counsel for the County of Kings,
Deputy County Counsel for the County of Madera, and Assistant City Attorney for
many cities, including Clovis, Lemoore, Salinas, Greenfield, Parlier, and
Firebaugh. Her practice includes advising city councils, boards of supervisors,
and staff in all areas of municipal law issues, such as board governance,
employment and personnel matters, CEQA, code enforcement, conflicts of interest
laws, contract review, elections, Government Tort Claims Act, initiatives,
referenda, land use and planning, workplace investigations, and open meeting
laws. Lee’s other areas of specialty include various kinds of litigation and
appellate advocacy. She is experienced in both state and federal trial and
appellate courts, including written appearances in the U.S. Supreme Court.

 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California, 1991
 * State Bar of Maryland, 1989 (inactive)
 * District of Columbia Bar, 1989 (inactive)
 * Supreme Court of the United States
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * American Association of Workplace Investigators


VICTOR M. PONTO

Victor Ponto is a partner with Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP. He currently
serves as the City Attorney for the city of California City.  Victor has served
as the Assistant General Counsel for the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District,
the Eastern Municipal Water District, Elsinore Municipal Water District,
Hi-Desert Water District, and the Central Basin Municipal Water District.  He
also served as the City Attorney for the City of Cudahy, Adelanto, Assistant
City Attorney for the City of Fontana, and Deputy City Attorney for the cities
of El Monte, Cudahy, Huntington Park, and San Fernando. Victor also provides
legal services to cities, school districts, municipal water agencies, and other
government entities throughout Southern California. Victor’s practice involves
city attorney and general counsel services.  He frequently advises cities and
other local governmental agencies on the Brown Act, the Political Reform Act and
the Public Records Act. His practice is to ensure that the governing boards and
councils he advises operate legally to effectively serve their communities.
Representing both cities and special districts, Victor provides legal advice at
public meetings, community/economic development projects and complex land use
transactions. He also advises public clients on matters regarding Planning and
Zoning law issues, the Subdivision Map Act and the California Environmental
Quality Act.
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California


BRIAN J. TRIPLETT

Brian Triplett is a partner at Burke, Williams & Sorensen with nearly two
decades of experience practicing law. He is a member of the firm's Litigation
Practice Group. Prior to joining Burke, Brian handled toxic tort,
transportation, and bodily injury claims for an insurance defense firm in
Northern California. Prior to that, he spent 10 years as a partner with a
prominent trial firm in San Francisco and litigated from start to finish more
than 100 cases alleging asbestos-related personal injury. He also previously
held Of Counsel roles with other Bay Area law firms. From 2014 to 2017, Brian
was named a Northern California Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine for Civil
Litigation: Defense, and he has spoken at seminars held by the CEU Institute and
HarrisMartin. He is a member of the Defense Research Institute and the
Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada.

Brian obtained his J.D. in May 2004 from Santa Clara University School of Law
where he earned a High Technology Law Certificate, a Witkin Award for Academic
Excellence in Wills and Trusts, and a CALI Excellence for the Future Award in
Wills and Trusts. He graduated magna cum laude in December 1999 from California
Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a B.S. in Biochemistry.

 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Defense Research Institute
 * Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada


EPHRAIM S. MARGOLIN

Ephraim ("Eppi") Margolin is an associate in Burke’s Los Angeles office and a
member of the Public Law practice group. Ephraim’s practice consists of
providing general counsel services to various cities and public agencies, with a
focus on land use matters.

Prior to joining Burke, Ephraim served as Deputy City Attorney of the cities of
Calabasas, Ojai, and Barstow at another firm focusing on public law. Ephraim
also completed a one-year fellowship at a Central Coast firm which serves as the
City Attorney for the City of Santa Cruz and as counsel for other public
entities.

While in law school, Ephraim worked for several federal and local agencies
including the Oakland City Attorney’s Office, the Enforcement Division of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and completed an externship at the 9th
Circuit Court of Appeals. He also served as the Publishing Editor of the
Berkeley Journal of Entertainment & Sports Law.

Ephraim graduated from Berkeley Law with a Juris Doctor, receiving an American
Jurisprudence Award and a Prosser Prize for academic excellence. Ephraim
graduated magna cum laude from University of California, Los Angeles, with a
Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy.

 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California


VERONICA GRAY

Veronica began her legal career at a municipal law firm representing the City of
Santa Cruz and other public agencies local to the South Bay and the Santa Cruz
areas where she advised on First Amendment issues, drafted ordinances,
resolutions, and agenda reports, and reviewed contracts.  Veronica also handled
Gun Violence Restraining Order hearings and Public Record Act requests. Veronica
earned her J.D. from UC Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings) with a
concentration in Government Law in 2022.  While in law school, Veronica was an
executive editor on the UC Law Constitutional Quarterly Law Journal and received
a CALI award for the highest grade in Constitutional Law I.  Veronica joined the
UC Law SF’s Legislation Clinic where she externed with State Senator Henry
Stern.  During the summers, Veronica interned at the San Francisco’s Department
of Police Accountability and the Construction and Public Contracting team of the
San Francisco City Attorney’s Office.  In 2019, Veronica received her B.A. in
Politics from UC Santa Cruz, where she focused on American elections and
election policy.
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California

 * Bar Association of San Francisco


ROBERT C. CHOJNACKI

Robert Chojnacki is a senior associate in Burke’s Eminent Domain and Litigation
Practice Groups.  He has represented clients in all aspects of litigation in
California and federal courts. Robert has extensive experience advising and
litigating on behalf of public entities throughout California in cases involving
eminent domain, inverse condemnation, and land use.  He also has experience
defending clients in cases involving general liability, professional liability,
personal injury, wrongful death, and aviation. Robert has been trial counsel in
five eminent domain jury trials, and two professional liability jury trials.
Robert is a graduate of U.C. San Diego, with honors in American History.  He
obtained his J.D. from the University of California San Francisco, Hastings
College of the Law. Robert is admitted to practice in the state courts of
California, Nevada, and Hawaii.  He is also admitted to practice in the U.S.
District Courts for the Northern, Eastern and Central Districts of California.
 * Eminent Domain
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of Nevada
 * State Bar of Hawaii
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California


VIVIANO E. AGUILAR

Viviano focuses his practice on employment litigation. He has successfully
navigated a variety of litigation matters including employment, trade secret,
ADA, and business cases. Viviano has extensive wage and hour class-action
experience. He also represents employers before the various administrative law
courts, such as the DLSE (“Labor Commissioner”), WCAB and OSHAB.

Viviano is a black-belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a martial art he has practiced
for the last 13 years.

 * Employment Law and Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California

 * American Bar Association, 2012-present
 * Kern County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Director, 2017-2020
 * Kern County Bar Association, 2015-present
 * CSU Bakersfield Pre-Law Advisory Committee, 2020-present


LISA N. MAXWELL

Lisa Maxwell is a member of Burke’s Real Estate and Business Law practice and
Public Law Practice, which allows her to combine and leverage her experience
representing private clients with her experience representing public agencies.
Lisa has extensive experience in real estate including, development,
public/private partnerships, construction, asset management, purchase and sale,
leasing, workouts, commercial contracts and common interest law.  Lisa
represents and advises private clients and public agencies on complex real
estate transactional and leasing matters.  She routinely negotiates and prepares
transactional documents including, exclusive negotiation agreements, term
sheets, disposition and development agreements, lease disposition and
development agreements, purchase and sale agreements, leases (ground, retail,
office and industrial), licenses, easements, telecommunication agreements, cost
sharing agreements and covenants, conditions and restrictions, while also
handling ancillary matters such as title review, due diligence and closings. 
Lisa regularly advises on Surplus Land Act issues. Prior to joining Burke, Lisa
served as the Community Development Director for the City of Alameda, and as an
Assistant City Attorney for the Cities of Alameda and Oakland.  As Alameda’s
Community Development Director, Lisa oversaw the continued development of
Alameda Point, a former Naval Air Station, while also managing the City’s real
estate leasing program, economic development division, public art program,
affordable housing programs, and homelessness and social service programs.  Lisa
led the team that obtained grants from the State and the County of Alameda,
which allowed for the construction of a transitional supportive housing
community in Alameda. Lisa’s 30 years of legal experience have included serving
as California general counsel for a public homebuilder, as well as in-house
counsel for a real estate private equity firm. Lisa currently serves on the
Board of Directors of Alameda Point Collaborative, a non-profit serving the
unhoused.
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California

 * Alameda Point Collaborative, Board Member
 * Community Learning Center Schools, Past President/Board Member


ROBIN M. PEARSON

Robin Pearson is an experienced trial lawyer who has effectively litigated cases
involving a broad range of business and commercial matters.  She has experience
in contract disputes, unfair business practices, real estate, insurance,
employment, professional liability, and construction disputes and creditors
rights in federal bankruptcy.  Robin has argued before the Ninth Circuit Court
of Appeal and is also an accomplished negotiator with extensive mediation
experience. Robin’s commercial litigation matters include Section 17200 matters
alleging unfair business practices.  She has represented lending institutions,
corporate and individual clients in breach of contract actions.  In addition,
Robin has litigated cases involving trademark and trade secret issues relating
to the use and ownership of proprietary inventions in diverse industries.  She
has also represented title insurance companies relating to coverage disputes,
insurance, bad faith, escrow negligence and fraud. Robin’s real estate practice
includes but is not limited to environmental impact review under the California
Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.  Her past
representations include breach of contract and fraud cases, commercial
landlord-tenant disputes, restrictive covenant and easement litigation, and
quiet title, nuisance, adverse possession, zoning, and land use matters. Robin’s
construction litigation experience includes performance of construction
contracts, defense of mechanic’s liens, stop notices, payment and performance
bond claims, construction defect and insurance claims.  She also has experience
obtaining private right of ways and easements, sitting wireless antennas and
towers, securing permits for construction projects and negotiating pole
attachments. Finally, Robin has represented corporate and individual clients in
race, gender, age, and disability discrimination cases.
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of the United States
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Contra Costa Bar Association, President (2008)
 * Black Women Lawyers of Northern California, President (2009)
 * State Bar Counsel of Access and Fairness, Chair (2016)


IUDIS “DASHA” SOMINSKAIA

Dasha Sominskaia is an associate in Burke’s San Francisco office and a member of
Burke’s Litigation and Public Law practice groups. Dasha’s areas of practice
include public entity defense, general business litigation, and general counsel
work for municipal and private clients. In addition, Dasha regularly takes on
pro bono child custody cases through the Justice and Diversity Center’s pro bono
program serving low-income clients.

Before coming to Burke, Dasha worked as an associate for an established class
action and complex litigation law firm in Oakland, litigating a wide range of
complex class action cases, including defective products, financial fraud,
securities, and sexual assault. Dasha’s background also includes working as a
corporate paralegal at a top tier firm in the Pacific Northwest. Her insider
knowledge about corporate practices offers a helpful perspective, and enables
case teams to deploy unique litigation strategies as a result.

Dasha graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in 2021. While
in law school, Dasha was a staff editor for the Seattle Journal of Technology,
Environmental, and Innovation Law, received a CALI award for earning the highest
grade in Torts, and was recognized by the Alpha Sigma Nu honor society for her
achievement being in the top 4% of her class. During her 3L year, Dasha externed
for Associate Chief Justice Charles W. Johnson at the Washington Supreme Court,
which helped her develop an understanding of a judicial chambers’ inner workings
and further enhanced her legal research and strategy skills.

As a college student, Dasha engaged in community building and advocacy work. In
2015, Dasha was selected for the 36 under 36 award by the Jewish Week in
recognition of her outstanding advocacy for LGBTQ+ people within the Orthodox
Jewish community, including at Yeshiva University, where she received her
undergraduate degree in psychology and creative writing. Her participation in
the art activism project “Jews of New York” was recognized by the Boston Globe,
Jerusalem Post, NY Daily News and other media outlets.

Dasha is fluent in Russian and proficient in Hebrew.

 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California

 * Jewish Bar Association of San Francisco
 * Eastern European Bar Association
 * Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom (BALIF)


ELISE L. BONINE

Elise Bonine is an associate in Burke’s Public Law and Litigation groups. She
has experience in both criminal and civil litigation, as well as in both federal
and state courts.

Elise’s experience includes mass tort, class action, commercial litigation and
criminal prosecution. Prior to joining Burke, Elise gained experience at a
well-known and respected plaintiff-side firm in the Bay area as well as at the
Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.

During her tenure as an Assistant District Attorney, Elise specialized in
prosecuting domestic violence offenses. She successfully indicted more than a
dozen felony cases, negotiated felony and misdemeanor plea agreements, argued in
front of the Appellate Division, conducted hundreds of investigations, and
litigated almost five hundred cases to resolution.

While attending Columbia Law School, Elise worked at the Mechanism for
International Criminal Tribunals prosecuting individuals who committed war
crimes during the ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia. She also assisted
asylum seekers through her externship with the Legal Aid Society as well as
volunteer work with the International Refugee Assistance Project. As a member of
the Advanced Mediation Clinic, she mediated a wide variety of issues ranging
from alleged violations of the Equal Employment Opportunities Act to housing
conflicts. She conducted trainings for the United Nations, Judicial Ethics
Committee, and for new mediators.

Outside of the office, Elise is passionate about animal rescue and enjoys
running with her Australian Shepherd, reading science fiction novels, and solo
travel.

 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of New York


COLLEEN L. CLEARY

Colleen L. Cleary is a senior associate and a member of Burke, Williams &
Sorensen’s Real Estate and Business and Litigation practice groups. Colleen is
an accomplished litigator, who specializes in large, complex cases. Her practice
involves handling all aspects of litigation from initial investigations and
discovery through motion practice, settlement, trial preparation, and trial. Her
experience includes successfully representing health benefit plans, retailers,
and private individuals. Colleen earned a dual J.D./M.B.A. from the University
of San Francisco. While in law school, Colleen was winner of the Best Oral
Advocate Award in the school’s annual moot court competition. She was also a
member of the National Moot Court Competition team and the University of San
Francisco’s Law Review. Colleen graduated with Business Honors. During law
school, Colleen worked at the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of
Justice’s Antitrust Division. Colleen also attended the University of San
Francisco as an undergraduate, where she graduated cum laude with a B.A. in
English Literature and double minors in Philosophy and Legal Studies. Colleen
was recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® under Ones To Watch for Mass Tort
Litigation / Class Actions – Plaintiffs (2021-2023) and in Northern California
Best Lawyers under Ones To Watch for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions –
Plaintiffs (2021-2023).  Northern California Super Lawyers Magazine named
Colleen a Rising Star in 2021-2023. She was also included in San Francisco
Magazine’s Top Women Attorneys in Northern California in 2021.
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California

 * San Francisco Bar Association


TYLER K. MARSTEN

Tyler Marsten is an associate in Burke’s San Jose office.  Tyler earned both his
J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from Santa Clara Law School and Business School in 2022,
and his B.A. in Political Science from the University of San Diego in 2018.
During law school, Tyler interned at both a Family Law firm and a software
company. He also worked at a sports agency that represents women professional
soccer players. Tyler was also an active member in the Sports and Entertainment
Law Society (SELS). Following law school, Tyler worked as an associate at a
Workers’ Compensation defense firm based out of Oakland for a year before
switching over to Burke’s litigation practice. A Bay Area native, Tyler
currently lives in San Francisco and enjoys exploring the city with his dog,
Riley. Tyler is a fan of the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco 49ers, and San
Francisco Giants. In his free time, Tyler snowboards, surfs, hikes, and attends
live music events.
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California


ANDREW R. BOGARD

Andrew Bogard is an associate attorney who works with clients in the
construction industry, which includes general contractors, developers, and
subcontractors throughout California. Andrew also has experience in construction
defect, personal injury, real property, and workers’ compensation.

Andrew graduated cum laude from Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law in
Malibu, California. Andrew additionally received a Certificate in Dispute
Resolution from the Pepperdine Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution, and was
also awarded a CALI Award for Academic Excellence in Remedies. During law
school, Andrew served as a staff member on the National Association of
Administrative Law Judiciary (NAALJ) and was a member of the Federalist Society
and the Sports and Entertainment Law Society.

Prior to attending law school, Andrew graduated from Texas Christian University
(TCU) with a double major in Finance and Business Information Systems. Upon
graduating from TCU, Andrew worked as a Consulting Analyst for Cerner, a global
healthcare information technology provider.

In his free time Andrew enjoys reading, watching and playing sports, and being
outdoors with his Border Collie, Ivy.

 * Construction Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California

 * National Association of Administrative Law Judiciary


KEVIN P. MCCARTHY

General contractors, developers and subcontractors in California turn to Kevin
McCarthy for his knowledgeable legal counsel on corporate/construction risk
management, asset protection, contract negotiation and construction defect
litigation matters. Kevin skillfully helps those in the construction industry
that are responsible for building the region’s office towers, residential
developments and retail centers proactively mitigate liability and risk. When
conflicts do arise, he advises clients on applicable insurance coverage in
relation to disputes, which have a significant focus on construction failure,
resultant property damage, diminution in value, and related claims.

Kevin is an experienced litigator handling jury trials, bench trials,
arbitrations, and multi-party mediation and dispute resolution on behalf of both
defendants and plaintiffs. With a track record of litigation success and a
commitment to economic, responsive and efficient client service, Kevin offers
clients the valuable legal counsel they need to get the job done.

 * Construction Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of Colorado (inactive)
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * American Bar Association


CRAIG A. KISYLIA

Craig Kisylia works with owners, civil, commercial, and residential contractors,
subcontractors, and suppliers in the construction and real estate industries to
solve their most complex legal challenges. Craig counsels clients on risk
management, contract negotiations and construction claims and disputes including
payments, delay and disruption, and construction defects. He is experienced in
and manages all phases of litigation, including legal research, discovery,
motion practice, and dispute resolution proceedings. During law school, Craig
was the External Vice President of the Santa Clara University Law and Business
Society and served as Chairman of the Advocacy Committee for the Honors Moot
Court Internal Competition.
 * Construction Law
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California


BRYCE D. CARROLL

As a construction litigation attorney, Bryce Carroll works with the firm’s
clients to develop creative litigation strategies to address their legal
challenges in an economic and expeditious manner resulting in the best possible
outcome for their business. General contractors, subcontractors, developers and
owners turn to him for his experience navigating all aspects of construction
litigation including claims for contract disputes, delay claims, insurance
coverage, defective construction, toxic mold and personal injury. In addition to
litigation matters, Bryce advises and counsels his clients in all phases of the
construction process from bid preparation, contract negotiation and  pre-claim
issues. Bryce uses his understanding of the nuances of construction law,
creative problem solving and collaboration to ensure his clients find
resolutions that benefit their business in the short and long term. Throughout
his twenty plus years of construction law practice, Bryce has worked for some of
the region’s most notable owners, contractors and subcontractors to obtain
successful resolutions to their most important business issues. On behalf of an
owner, he recovered more than $5 million in damages and attorney’s fees
following a four-week jury trial and indemnity involving the construction of
underground utilities at four residential subdivisions in the California Central
Valley. He also represented a Fortune 100 homebuilder in recovering excess of
$10 million from subcontractor for warranty and repair work due to defective
construction.
 * Construction Law
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Legal Chair CMAA NorCal Chapter (2019-2022)


DANIELLE E. POTESTIO

Danielle works with clients in the firm’s construction, litigation, and real
estate and business groups. She provides legal counseling in a variety of areas,
including in-depth contract review, legal research and fact analysis, drafting
and responding to discovery requests, motion drafting, and claims
investigations. During law school, Danielle worked as a full-time corporate
paralegal while simultaneously attending night school at the University of San
Francisco (USF). In her last years of law school, she competed in the National
Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) and received one of the highest honors
from USF, the McFetridge Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy. Additionally,
she has dedicated her time to nonprofit organizations such as the USF Pro Bono
Legal and Referral Aid Clinic, USF Racial Justice Clinic, and San Francisco’s
Innocence Commission.
 * Construction Law
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California


LYNDON Y. CHEE

Lyndon Chee has over 20 years’ experience advising and litigating on behalf of
public entities and a variety of private clients. After being admitted to the
State Bar of California, Lyndon joined the Construction Team of the San
Francisco City Attorney’s Office where he represented the City, San Francisco
Unified School District and the Community College of San Francisco, in many
areas of public contracting, including negotiating and drafting professional
services contracts, overseeing the competitive bidding of construction
contracts, responding to bid protests, advising department heads and project
managers on public contracting and construction related issues, drafting
enabling ordinances, and litigating construction disputes. Lyndon’s construction
litigation experience also includes developing and executing pretrial strategy
in multi-million dollar construction litigation arising from performance and
payment bonds issued by surety clients, and in indemnity actions against bond
principals. On behalf of surety clients in contractor default situations, Lyndon
has negotiated completion conditions, drafted necessary documents, including
takeover agreements, assignments, and subcontracts, provided legal support to
surety and its technical experts during completion, and oversaw preparation and
presentation of claims. Lyndon received his Bachelor of Arts in Microbiology and
Immunology from the University of California, Berkeley (Go Bears!) in 1987 and
his Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco in 1995. He was
admitted to the State Bar of California in 1995 and is admitted to the U.S.
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts
for the Norther, Eastern, and Central Districts of California.
 * Construction Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California


MARCO A. VERDUGO

Marco Verdugo advises cities and public agencies with a full range of governance
issues and transactional matters including public contracting, real estate
transactions, land use, planning and zoning, operational and business matters,
the California Public Records Act, the Ralph. M. Brown Act, conflicts of
interest, and general municipal law matters. He has extensive experience
negotiating and drafting real property purchase and sale agreements, easements,
licenses, leases, and other complex agreements.  Prior to joining Burke,
Williams & Sorensen, Marco worked as a public agency and special district
attorney and served as a Deputy City Attorney for the City of San Diego.
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California

 * San Diego County Bar Association
 * City Attorneys Association of San Diego
 * California Lawyers Association


CHRISTOPHER E. BRUMFIEL

Christopher Brumfiel represents clients in a variety of industries including
transportation, construction, property management, restaurant & hospitality,
youth sports, and complex insurance/indemnity matters.  He has extensive
experience defending clients in high-exposure trials in federal and state courts
as well as binding arbitrations.  Chris routinely advises clients on risk
management strategies and cost-effective litigation management.
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California

 * Alameda County Bar Association


MICHELLE H. LE

Michelle H. Le has a wide range of experience in business, employment, and
insurance litigation in both state and federal courts. Her practice concentrates
on single-plaintiff lawsuits and class action matters involving discrimination,
wrongful termination, wage-and-hour, retaliation, misclassification, sexual
harassment, and Private Attorneys General Act (“PAGA”) claims, among others.

Michelle attended the University of California, Los Angeles for both her
undergraduate and law school education. During law school, she earned the UCLA
School of Law Faculty Scholarship Award and the UCLA School of Law Graduate
Opportunity Fellowship. Michelle worked as an extern for the Honorable Margaret
M. Morrow of the United States District Court, Central District Court of
California. She served as Managing Editor of the Asian Pacific American Law
Journal and President of the Asian Pacific Islander Law Students Association.
After law school, Michelle was awarded an Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal
Fellowship.

Before joining Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP, Michelle handled an extensive
variety of matters on behalf of national and regional business entities,
insurance companies, and individual clients. Earlier in her legal career,
Michelle gained a diverse background of experience in plaintiff-side civil
rights and employment law matters involving police misconduct, discrimination,
wrongful termination, wage-and-hour disputes, sexual harassment, and complex
litigation class actions, among other issues. She has worked with the United
States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, private sector law firms, and
other public sector entities.

As Michelle’s legal career became focused on defense litigation, her prior
experience still informed her defense work, enabled her to provide dedicated and
tailored advocacy, and helped her to achieve the best possible results for her
clients. Michelle has succeeded on dispositive motions, achieved case
dismissals, and regularly negotiates favorable settlements.

 * Employment Law and Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * Asian Pacific American Bar Association
 * Association of Business Trial Lawyers
 * Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
 * Japanese American Bar Association
 * National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
 * Orange County Asian American Bar Association
 * Orange County Bar Association
 * Vietnamese American Bar Association of Southern California


ELAINE KOBYLECKI

Elaine Kobylecki is a Senior Associate with the San Diego office of Burke,
Williams & Sorensen and a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. Elaine
represents clients in all stages of litigation in both state and federal courts.
With nearly a decade of defense litigation experience, Elaine is experienced in
commercial litigation having counseled clients across numerous industries,
including retail, consumer goods, construction, transportation and logistics,
government contracting, and professional services, in a variety of matters
including products liability, breach of contract, catastrophic injury, wrongful
death, and risk management. Elaine is attuned to our clients' needs as she
navigates them through the challenges of each phase of the litigation cycle. 
She is committed to achieving the most favorable outcome on behalf of clients
from both a legal and practical business perspective. Her broad-based litigation
experience has enabled Elaine to be adept in handling a variety of discovery
disputes.  She has extensive deposition experience having taken and defended
over 80 depositions as lead counsel, including plaintiffs, experts, treating
physicians, and third-party witnesses.  Elaine also has substantial experience
in alternative dispute resolution, having represented clients at mediations,
mandatory settlement conferences, and early neutral evaluations. Outside of the
office, Elaine enjoys traveling, snowboarding, scuba diving, and discovering new
restaurants.
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
 * Pro Hac Vice Admissions: Ohio, Indiana, and Washington

 * Lawyers Club of San Diego


ALLISON B. HERNANDEZ

Allison Hernandez is a senior associate in the Labor and Employment Practice
Group, and a member of Burke's Workplace Investigations team. Allison works with
private and public entities, including school districts, community colleges, and
county offices of education, with an emphasis in personnel and labor relations. 
Allison advises and represents clients with regard to employee discipline
including termination proceedings, layoffs, collective bargaining, medical
leaves of absence, and disability accommodations. She also represents clients
before the Equal Opportunity Commission, California Civil Rights Department
(formerly known as the "Department of Fair Employment and Housing"), California
Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, and California Public Employment
Relations Board. Allison has received certification through ATIXA as a
participant in Level 1 and Level 3 ATIXA Civil Rights Investigator Trainings and
regularly conducts impartial workplace investigations related to claims of
sexual harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, and various other
complaints. Allison also has experience in providing employers with litigation
solutions, and has defended employers in pre-litigation, arbitration and all
phases of litigation against claims for discrimination, harassment, wrongful
termination, retaliation and whistleblower claims. She is skilled in taking and
defending depositions, drafting successful dispositive motions, and
participating in all phases of mediation.
 * Education Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of Florida


GHAZALEH MODARRESI

Pronouns: she, her, hers Ghazaleh Modarresi is a partner in the Labor and
Employment Practice Group, and a member of Burke’s Workplace Investigations
team. Ghazaleh provides employers advice and counsel on day-to-day labor and
employment-related issues. She works closely with her clients to develop
appropriate strategies to avoid litigation and minimize potential exposure in
the area of employee relations and helps clients identify and avoid
employment-related problems before they occur.  Ghazaleh provides practical
advice and counsel on wage-and-hour issues, leaves of absence, accommodation of
disabilities, preparation and implementation of employment policies, advice on
employee hiring, discipline and separations, and managing and/or conducting
workplace investigations and trainings. Prior to joining Burke, Ghazaleh worked
at two well-respected Silicon Valley law firms, including an AmLaw 100 firm,
where she exclusively represented businesses and management in all facets of
California labor and employment law.  Ghazaleh has defended employers in state
and federal courts, arbitration, and before administrative agencies. She has
litigated cases involving employment discrimination, harassment, and
retaliation, disability and other leave-related claims, wage-and-hour class
actions and PAGA claims, unfair business practices, whistleblower claims, and
wrongful discharge. Ghazaleh is a former adjunct clinical professor of the
University of San Francisco School of Law, where she taught a course in the
school’s Employment Law Clinic. She is called upon regularly as a speaker for
conferences, seminars, and trainings addressing employment law issues and
developments. During law school, she was a judicial extern for Senior United
States District Judge Susan Illston. Beyond her regular legal practice, Ghazaleh
serves as a member of the Board of Directors of JW House, a non-profit
organization that helps keep families together during times of medical crisis.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Santa Clara County Bar Association
 * State Bar of California Labor and Employment Law Section
 * Association of Workplace Investigators
 * JW House, Board Member


MARIAM SLEIMAN

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TIMOTHY E. CAMPEN

Timothy E. Campen is the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Bellflower and
the City of Monterey Park and Deputy City Attorney for the cities of Coronado,
Solana Beach, and Lemon Grove. Tim focuses on code enforcement; tort, contract
and employment litigation; land use and planning; and general municipal advisory
responsibilities. Tim began the first seven years of his legal career at the San
Diego City Attorney’s Office. His responsibilities included defending the City
in general tort and complex public works litigation; working with the City’s
redevelopment agencies; and advising the City on Americans with Disabilities Act
compliance. Additionally, he served as Head Deputy City Attorney for the City’s
nationally recognized Domestic Violence Prosecution Unit. Following his tenure
with the City, Tim spent five years as a felony prosecutor with the San Diego
District Attorney’s office. There he concentrated on family protection; major
narcotics offenders; and internet crimes against children. After 12 years of
public service, Tim entered private practice focusing primarily on civil
litigation, including defending businesses and individuals in tort, contract and
employment claims as well as representing plaintiffs in class action,
employment, and consumer matters. Over the years, Tim has taken over 100 jury
trials to verdict. In addition to his vast experience with litigation matters,
Tim served as faculty with the Family Justice Center Alliance. In that capacity,
he travelled throughout the United States, Europe, South America, and the Middle
East, presenting trainings and working with civic leaders, judges, law
enforcement, and advocates towards development of innovative coordinated
community responses to family violence. Tim and his wife have found themselves
outnumbered with three lovely children. In his free time, Tim sings and plays
guitar in a rock ‘n roll band  
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California


KARL H. BERGER

Karl Berger's nearly 30 years of practicing law are exclusively devoted to
representing public agencies.  He is the City Attorney for the City of
Bellflower; the City Attorney for the City of Monterey Park; and General Counsel
for the Carpinteria Sanitary District. Additionally, Karl is the Senior
Assistant City Attorney for Simi Valley; Assistant City Attorney for the City of
Santa Clarita; and provides regular legal services for the cities of Brentwood
and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Karl previously served as the City Attorney for Santa
Paula; Interim City Attorney for Atascadero; Acting City Attorney for the City
of Port Hueneme; Deputy City Attorney for the City of Port Hueneme; Assistant
City Attorney for the cities of El Segundo and Camarillo; Assistant City
Attorney for the City of San Buenaventura; and research attorney for the City of
El Cajon. He previously served as General Counsel for the Montecito Sanitary
District and Lamont Public Utility District. In addition to these appointed
public official positions, Karl provides special counsel services to dozens of
public agencies. Karl is knowledgeable in a wide range of public law areas,
including conflicts of interest, open meeting laws, public works contracts,
redevelopment and successor agencies, personnel matters, all aspects of land use
and planning laws, and CEQA. Karl currently serves as a member of the Legal
Advocacy Executive Committee. He previously served on the Housing, Community &
Economic Development Policy Committee with the League of California Cities. 
Karl is also a contributing author for the Municipal Law Handbook (League of
California Cities) and author for the Charter City Project (Institute for Local
Government).
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California


VANESSA M. HOOKER

Vanessa Hooker is a senior associate in Burke’s Los Angeles office and a member
of the Labor & Employment and Litigation practice groups, where she represents
employers, including public entities, municipalities, educational institutions,
and corporations in various labor and employment litigation matters.  Vanessa’s
experience includes successfully defending the nation’s largest employers,
including multinational entertainment conglomerates, retail giants, and major
insurance providers in a wide range of tort, employment, and commercial
litigation matters in federal and state court. Vanessa prides herself on
fiercely defending her clients while seeking the best possible outcome for them
throughout all stages of litigation, including pleadings, discovery, motion
practice, trial preparation, and case resolution.  While Vanessa is a fierce
litigator, who has successfully drafted and argued dispositive and pretrial
motions, she is also a skilled negotiator, who has effectively negotiated the
resolution of countless cases before trial. While attending law school, Vanessa
participated in the Moot Court Honors Program, and served as Vice President of
her school’s Black Law Students Association chapter.  Vanessa also worked in
legal aid and served as law clerk for the Federal Defender Program for the
Northern District of Illinois.  During her last year of law school, Vanessa was
invited to study at UCLA School of Law. She had the honor of serving as Judicial
Extern for the Honorable Dean D. Pregerson of the United States District Court
for the Central District of California.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * National Bar Association
 * Minority Corporate Counsel Association


EILEEN L. OLLIVIER

Eileen is an associate in Burke’s Los Angeles office where she practices public
law.  Eileen represents and advises cities and other public agencies on a
variety of municipal law and constitutional law matters. She has experience
prosecuting and defending cases on behalf of public entities in areas of law,
including, code enforcement, criminal nuisance activity, inverse condemnation,
constitutional law and civil rights litigation, and premises liability. Eileen
serves as counsel for the City of San Marino Design Review Commission. She
regularly advises cities and public agencies on the Brown Act and the California
Public Records Act and revises and drafts ordinances. Eileen earned her J.D.
from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law with a
concentration in government law, and a B.A. from the University of California,
Berkeley. In law school, Eileen interned at the San Francisco City Attorney’s
office and the ACLU of Northern California, and externed for San Francisco
Superior Court Judge Andrew Y.S. Cheng in the Complex Litigation Department.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Eileen was a community organizer for a direct
services non-profit, where she advocated and lobbied for legislative reform
surrounding racial justice and economic empowerment.
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California

 * Los Angeles County Bar Association


JUSTIN A. TAMAYO

Justin Tamayo is an associate in Burke’s Los Angeles office and a member of the
Public Law and Eminent Domain practice groups. Justin’s practice consists of
providing general counsel services to various cities and assisting in public
entity representation on complex eminent domain and inverse condemnation
matters. Prior to joining Burke, Justin served various communities in southern
California as a city planner. He has extensive experience in land use
entitlements, administration and management of general plans and municipal
codes, compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act, and public
hearings. Justin earned his J.D. from the University of La Verne College of Law
where he was the Vice-President of the Student Bar Association and a Certified
Law-Clerk in the College of Law’s Misdemeanor Appellate Clinic. During law
school, Justin obtained licensure from the California Department of Real Estate
and clerked for a construction law firm where he gained valuable experience in
litigation and real property law. Justin graduated with a B.S. in Urban and
Regional Planning from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
 * Eminent Domain
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California

 * Los Angeles County Bar Association


CONNOR T. MACLEAN

Connor MacLean focuses his practice on all areas of real estate, land use, and
eminent domain issues. Connor advises dozens of cities and public agencies, as
well as private landowners and developers, in all phases of the development
process, including property acquisition, entitlement and administrative
approvals, CEQA compliance, compliance with state housing laws, and negotiating
real estate transactions and disputes. Connor has particular experience with the
State Density Bonus Law, the Housing Accountability Act, the Housing Crisis Act,
ADU law, and Housing Element Law. He has negotiated and drafted development
agreements, purchase and sale agreements, and below-marked-rate rental and
for-sale programs. Connor is also experienced in performing property diligence
and assisting technical experts in preparing Draft and Final EIRs. In his work
with private clients, Connor has helped advance all manner of projects,
including high-density residential projects, multi-phased mixed-use projects,
shopping centers, industrial warehouse development, resorts, and assisted living
centers. In his work with public clients, Connor has experience advising cities
on general plan updates, zoning code enforcement, issuance and revocation of
conditional use permits, Housing Element updates, and tenant protection
programs, the use of eminent domain for innovative house developments. Connor
graduated from New York University School of Law, where he was a member of the
Moot Court and an editor of Moot Court's annual Casebook.
 * Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of New York


JEAN M. KIM

Jean Kim is an associate in Burke’s Intellectual Property and Litigation
practice groups.  Jean’s practice involves all aspects of intellectual property
litigation, including trademark, patent, and copyright disputes. In addition,
Jean has handled trademark opposition and cancellation proceedings, patent and
trademark prosecution, and domain name disputes. Jean is licensed to practice in
California and before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. During law school, she
served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Consuelo Marshall in the Central
District of California.
 * Intellectual Property
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
 * United States Patent and Trademark Office (Reg. No. 66762)


KAREN A. LEE

Karen Lee is an associate in Burke’s Los Angeles office and a member of Burke’s
Litigation practice group. Karen’s areas of practice include public entity
defense, premises liability, dangerous condition of public property, and general
tort litigation.

Prior to joining Burke, Karen worked at an established medical malpractice
defense firm, where she represented a prominent university in a multitude of
lawsuits involving Title IX claims, regulatory issues, and intentional tort
allegations. Karen also served as second-chair trial counsel in a case of
alleged medical malpractice, in which the jury rendered a unanimous defense
verdict.

Karen is experienced in cases involving large teams of lawyers, including
high-value litigation combined with internal and government investigations.
Karen has experience in all phases of civil litigation, including motion
practice, appearing in court for oral argument, all aspects of discovery, and
preparing for trial. Karen has worked in a variety of different practice areas,
including family law, immigration, workers’ compensation, and business
litigation.

During law school, Karen was a staff member of the Loyola of Los Angeles
International and Comparative Law Review. Karen was a part of the Law Review’s
Inter-American Court of Human Rights Project, where she created comprehensive
summaries of judgments rendered by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
Karen also volunteered as an advisor for the Dorsey High School Teen Court and
as a mentor for the Young Lawyers Program.

Karen graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Art History and a minor in Political
Science from the University of California, Irvine.

 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California

 * Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles


DANICA J. BRUSTKERN

Pronouns: she, her, hers Danica Brustkern is an associate in Burke’s Litigation
Practice Group. She attended the University of San Diego School of Law, where
she graduated cum laude. During her time in law school, Danica earned
recognition for providing pro bono legal service and achieving the highest grade
in her Products Liability course, among others, as well as an externship for the
Honorable Judge William V. Gallo.  She was further honored by American Bar
Association the when she won first place in the 2015 writing competition hosted
by the Section of Real Property, Trust & Estate Law for her work, With Great
Power Comes Great Culpability: Addressing Agency Costs in Durable Powers of
Attorney. Prior to joining Burke, Danica worked as an associate for an
established San Diego law firm where she represented both public and private
entities in a range of matters, including wrongful death, regulatory violations,
premises liability, and products liability, through every step of litigation.
She also provided counseling with respect to estate planning as well as
strategic business planning. Danica is passionate about providing clients with
unique strategies for resolving disputes that align with their particular goals
and values. When not in the office, Danica enjoys snowboarding, seeking out live
music, and spending time with her friends and family.
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Lawyers Club of San Diego
 * American Bar Association


DANIEL C. OREN

Daniel C. Oren is an associate in Burke’s Litigation and Eminent Domain/Inverse
Condemnation Practice Groups. He has extensive experience defending individuals
and entities in various litigation matters in both federal and state court.

Daniel’s litigation experience includes civil rights, insurance coverage,
commercial litigation, mass torts, products liability, and professional
liability. Prior to joining Burke, Daniel defended public and quasi-public
entities in construction litigation arising from publicly-bid, large-scale
infrastructure projects.

Daniel has managed cases through pre-litigation and pre-trial phases, including
conducting internal investigations, drafting responsive pleadings and discovery,
conducting and defending fact and expert witness depositions, responding to
subpoenas, negotiating and obtaining favorable settlements, and drafting
dispositive motions. Daniel has brought several cases to the eve of trial within
the past year, ultimately settling out of court or prevailing on motions for
summary judgment.

Daniel also performs significant pro bono work, having represented indigent
clients in Immigration Court.

While attending law school, Daniel served as an extern for Honorable William H.
Alsup at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, where
he gained valuable experience drafting orders, conducting legal research, and
assisting the judge during courtroom proceedings.

Outside of the office, Daniel enjoys technical rock climbing throughout the
Sierra Nevada and gravel biking in Marin.
 * Eminent Domain
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California

 * Bar Association of San Francisco


CAYLIN W. JONES

Caylin Jones is an associate in Burke’s Los Angeles office. While in law school,
Caylin served as a staff member on the Journal of International Law where her
article, “Saying I Don’t to Child Marriage,” was chosen for publication. She
also worked as a research assistant in evidence law assisting in bringing the
eighth edition of Norman Garland’s “Criminal Evidence” textbook up to date.
Caylin received the Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Civil Procedure and
Contracts and the CALI “Excellence for Future” Award for Constitutional Criminal
Procedure and Evidence. She also spent a summer working as a law clerk in the
Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
 * Law Enforcement Defense
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California


JASPER L. HALL

Jasper Hall is an associate in Burke’s Oakland office where his practice focuses
on constitutional law, civil rights and tort liability matters.

Jasper earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Psychology from
the University of California, Santa Cruz. While there, he worked as a research
assistant in the Psychology department focusing on psycholinguistics research.
Prior to attending Santa Clara School of Law, Jasper worked in tech, on a
political campaign, for state government, and in public affairs.

At Santa Clara, Jasper was a finalist in the 1L Galloway Moot Court Competition,
Semi-Finalist and winner of second best brief in the 2L Honors Moot Court
Internal Competition, and a member of the Honors Moot Court Internal Board
Problem Committee for the 2021 competition. Additionally, Jasper was a member of
the ACLU and participated in the Immigration Appellate Clinic on campus. He also
clerked for a number of judges in the Santa Clara County Family Court. Prior to
joining Burke, Jasper worked for an insurance defense firm specializing in
personal injury, construction defect, habitability and contract matters.

In his free time, Jasper enjoys hiking and rock climbing throughout California
and reading the newspaper while watching Premier League Soccer.

 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California


BRENDA AGUILAR-GUERRERO

Brenda Aguilar-Guerrero has represented public entities on complex eminent
domain and inverse condemnation matters for more than 25 years. She has assisted
clients with large, complex multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects
requiring hundreds of acquisitions, as well as smaller scale projects throughout
the state for a variety of clients. Brenda likes to get involved at the
initiation of a project to ensure that her clients are following all state and
federal regulations and laws. She attends project meetings, obtains rights of
entry, drafts and/or reviews acquisition documents, works with
consultants/clients to execute acquisition strategies, reviews appraisals for
legal compliance, and negotiates with property owners; assists in drafting staff
reports, resolutions of necessity and notices to property owners; prepares
complaints and all documents required to file the condemnation action(s);
obtains orders for prejudgment possession; and handles all litigation through
the filing and recording of Final Orders of Condemnation. Brenda has served as
lead counsel on right-to-take and jury trials for a number of clients. She has
also defended clients sued for inverse condemnation, dangerous condition of
public property, and nuisance claims. She has handled eminent domain and/or
inverse condemnation actions for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation
Authority, Council of San Benito County Governments, Bay Area Rapid Transit
District, San Mateo County Transit District, Transportation Agency of Monterey
County, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, Central Contra
Costa Sanitation District, County of Calaveras, County of El Dorado, County of
San Benito, County of Yolo, Town of Los Altos, City of Dublin, City of
Inglewood, City of Sacramento, City of San Leandro, City of Morgan Hill, City of
Palmdale, City of Rancho Cordova, City of South San Francisco, East Bay Regional
Park District, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Glendale Housing Authority,
Fremont Redevelopment Agency, City of Fremont, City of Elk Grove, County of
Fresno, County of Napa, Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation
District, City of Brentwood, Hayward Unified School District, City of Antioch,
and City of Saratoga.
 * Eminent Domain
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of the United States
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California

 * Board Member, Alameda County Bar Association, 2022
 * Member, Women Lawyers of Alameda County, Alameda County (past President)
 * Member, Chapter 2 (San Francisco/Santa Rosa) and 42 (San Jose) of the
   International Right of Way Association
 * UC Berkeley Alumni Delegate to the California State Legislature
 * Member, East Bay La Raza Association, 2017
 * Program Co-Chair, Annual Northern California Eminent Domain Conference, CLE
   International, 2007- current


KRISHAN S. CHOPRA

Krishan Chopra is a seasoned general practitioner with more than 20 years of
experience representing public agencies in California. Krishan began his career
in private practice in Southern California representing cities, schools
districts, and special districts, then transitioned to Northern California where
he worked as a Deputy County Counsel for the County of Napa. Most recently,
Krishan served as the City Attorney for the City of Mountain View after serving
the City as both an Assistant then Senior Assistant City Attorney. Krishan’s
practice specialties include land use and planning, environmental compliance
(CEQA), governmental ethics and conflict of interest, public contracting and
construction, initiative and referenda, Brown Act and open meeting compliance,
and public records production. He brings many years of experience working as
legal counsel to City Councils, Planning Commissions, and various advisory
bodies, as well as working collaboratively with public agency staffs, focusing
on providing practical solutions and the efficient delivery of legal services.
Krishan graduated from Loyola Law School in 1997, and earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in English Literature and Classical Studies cum laude, from Colgate
University in 1991.
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California


DONALD V. LE

Pronouns: he, him, his Donald Le is an associate attorney in Burke’s Los Angeles
office and is a member of the Labor & Employment, Labor Relations, and Education
Law practice groups where he represents employers, including public agencies,
municipalities, private schools, special districts, community college districts,
K-12 schools, and private entities, in various labor, employment and education
matters. Donald’s employment experience includes advising and representing
employers on issues relating to discrimination, harassment, retaliation,
wrongful termination, disability accommodation and interactive process, leaves
and benefits, pre-employment and privacy issues including drug and alcohol
testing, HIPAA/CMIA, free expression, employee discipline and due process,
workplace investigations, and performance management.  Donald’s experience also
includes advising public safety clients on the Public Safety Officers Procedural
Bill of Rights Act and has worked on high-profile civil litigation cases
regarding excessive force issues.  Donald advises and represents employers in
navigating meet and confer obligations under the MMBA and EERA, and works
exclusively on transactional matters.  Donald also represents clients at the
bargaining table, negotiating bargaining agreements and matters such as
compensation, hours and scheduling, seniority and advancement, and other terms
and conditions of employment.  Donald also advises on best practices for
updating existing MOU language, bargaining strategy, compliance with good-faith
bargaining requirements, and closed session preparations. Donald also has
specialized knowledge under the ACA, including the employer shared
responsibility provisions and advises public agencies on their obligations.
Donald’s practice also includes conducting workplace investigations, including
employee misconduct, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, policy, conduct
violations, and other discipline-related issues.  Donald has conducted
investigations into allegations of harassment, retaliation, and misconduct,
including those of a sensitive nature and those concerning high-profile
individuals. Donald regularly advises private schools, community college
districts, and K-12 schools on matters such as harassment or discrimination
claims, discipline and termination, independent contractor issues, employee
performance management, disability accommodations, construction, preventative
measures, and other student, faculty, and governance-related issues. He works
extensively on contractual matters such as employment and enrollment agreements,
vendor and facilities use contracts/disputes, services agreements,
transportation agreements, travel waivers, releases, as well as employee and
student handbooks. Donald also represents employers throughout the various
stages of litigation in both state and federal courts, as well as DFEH/EEOC
matters, administrative matters, writs of mandamus.  His litigation practice
includes all aspects of discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation,
including deposition preparation and appearances, drafting demurrers and motions
for summary judgment, and preparing pretrial motions and witnesses for trial.
 * Education Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * Los Angeles Bar Association
 * Orange County Bar Association


MEGHAN E. NIHAN

Meghan Nihan’s practice focuses on real estate transactional matters and
public/private partnership development matters.  She has experience with
purchase, sale, easement, license, and lease transactions; government purchases
of property in lieu of condemnation; ancillary matters such as title review and
due diligence; and advising clients on property management landlord/tenant
issues. Meghan was previously an associate in the Corporate and Real Estate
practice groups of two Southern California law firms. She was also an associate
in the Eminent Domain practice group of a law firm based in Orange County for
five years, where she advised staff during the planning phase of a public
transportation project, drafted and negotiated purchase and sale agreements, and
handled all aspects of eminent domain litigation if a voluntary purchase
transaction was not consummated. During law school, Meghan completed
environmental coursework. Early in her career, she worked as a Legal Fellow at
Orange County Coastkeeper, whose mission is to protect the region’s water
resources. Meghan’s work there included bringing lawsuits to enforce the Clean
Water Act and reviewing and drafting comments regarding local policies or
Environmental Impact Reports.
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * Orange County Bar Association
 * St. Thomas More Society of Orange County
 * Orange County Women Lawyers Association


LISA W. LEE, AWI-CH

Lisa Lee is a partner at Burke, Williams & Sorenson, LLP with over 26 years of
litigation experience and a strong background in constitutional law/civil rights
litigation, tort litigation, contract litigation, employment litigation and
criminal law.  She is a trial lawyer who has successfully represented police
officers, governmental entities, businesses and individuals in more than 90 jury
trials throughout California. Lisa worked as a Deputy City Attorney with the Los
Angeles City Attorney’s Office for six years representing Los Angeles Police
Department officers, as well as the Los Angeles Police Department and City of
Los Angeles, in a variety of police civil rights matters in both state and
federal court.  She successfully litigated and tried use of force matters,
including officer involved shootings. Lisa spent nine years in general civil
practice where she served as advisory counsel for small businesses, as well as
successfully litigating tort, contract and employment litigation matters. Lisa
also provided administrative, legal compliance and regulatory advice for
business clients, including ordinance and municipal code matters. Lisa was a
criminal prosecutor for nine years with the Ventura County District Attorney’s
Office and the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney in Maui, Hawaii where she
prosecuted sex crimes, homicides, and serious and violent felonies.  She also
investigated officer involved shootings and provided training for new
prosecutors and law enforcement. Lisa is dedicated to providing her clients with
zealous and cost-effective representation. She has routinely and successfully
resolved many cases without the necessity for trial by utilizing assertive case
strategies which drive down the settlement value of matters.  Lisa has also
obtained favorable results for her clients through pretrial motions, including
motions for summary judgment. Lisa is an Association of Workplace Investigations
Certificate Holder (AWI-CH).
 * Constitutional Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Law Enforcement Defense
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * Hawaii State Bar
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Western District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California


MARK E. WILSON

Mark Wilson is a partner in Burke’s Labor and Employment Practice Group.  Mark
has provided representation at MOU grievances, multi-year contract negotiations,
meet-and-confers, unfair labor practices, and disciplinary matters. Mark’s
litigation experience includes labor arbitrations and civil litigation related
to discrimination, whistleblower complaints, wage orders, FEHA/ADA complaints,
and medical/family leave compliance, among others.  He has represented clients
in internal affairs investigations, external investigations, workplace
investigations, criminal investigations, disciplinary actions, and appeals.
Prior to joining Burke, Mark represented public sector unions. He also served as
in-house counsel for a large trade association in Washington, DC and as a
Legislative Advisor for a several members of the United States Senate.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California


ALEXANDER Y. KIM

An associate in the Burke’s litigation group, Alexander Kim focuses his trial
practice on the defense of public entities, such as municipalities,
transportation providers, and school districts in property damage and personal
injury matters, including wrongful death and catastrophic injuries.

Alexander graduated from Rutger’s School of Law – Newark in 2017. Immediately
thereafter, Alexander obtained an opportunity as a year-long judicial clerkship
in Bergen County, New Jersey for the Honorable Rachelle L. Harz, who oversaw
Mass Tort Litigation matters. As part of his clerkship, Alexander gained
experience and knowledge as to the practice of Mass Tort Litigation, in addition
to general civil litigation.

Prior to joining Burke, Alexander developed and focused his litigation practice
in New York, New York. While working in New York, Alexander’s practice areas
included General Liability, Premises and Retail Liability, New York Labor Law,
Automobile Liability, Trucking & Transportation Liability, Maritime Litigation,
Subrogation and Excess Insurance Coverage. His practice included New York State
and Federal Courts, and New Jersey State and Federal Courts. Alexander’s success
in his practice resulted in being recognized as a 2021 New York METRO Rising
Star associate.

In addition to his litigation experience in New York, Alexander’s litigation
experience also includes the defense of business and American Disabilities Act
claim.

Alexander’s involvement in litigated matters includes all aspects of cases, from
inception through resolution. This includes executing written discovery plans,
conducting and defending depositions, arguing motions, participating in
mediation and arbitration, and all other aspects of trial preparation. Alexander
is committed to open lines of communication with clients, making sure to keep
them informed with respect to discovery, pleadings and case status.

In addition to Alexander’s experience in the legal world, he previously served
in the United States Army. Alexander initially enlisted as a Private First Class
in 2009, ultimately rising to the rank of First Lieutenant as a Military
Intelligence Officer. In completing his service, Alexander was honorably
discharged in 2018.

 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of New York
 * State Bar of New Jersey
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
 * United States District Court for New Jersey

 * New York Bar Association


ALLAN W. JANSEN

Allan W. Jansen is Of Counsel in Burke's Orange County office.  Allan's practice
focuses on intellectual property.
 * Intellectual Property

 * State Bar of California


NATALIE F. PRICE

Natalie Price handles a wide range of cases for public and private entities and
their employees, such as employment defense, civil rights, class action
litigation, dangerous conditions of public property, wrongful death, personal
injury, and general government tort liability matters in state and federal trial
and appellate courts. Since joining Burke in late 2021, Natalie has co-chaired
three jury trials to defense verdicts—two FEHA disability discrimination,
retaliation, and failure to accommodate cases in state court and a Title VII
race discrimination and retaliation case in federal court. Prior to joining
Burke, she second-chaired a USERRA case to a unanimous defense verdict and
second-chaired a fatal officer-involved shooting trial wherein the involved
deputy avoided an award of punitive damages against him.   Additionally, Natalie
has prepared and successfully argued trial documents and motions in limine in
numerous cases which settled shortly before trial. A skilled writer, Natalie has
achieved excellent results on dispositive motions and pre-trial rulings.  With
regard to her appellate practice, Natalie has successfully briefed and argued
employment discrimination and civil rights matters before the California Court
of Appeal and obtained an order from the Ninth Circuit affirming summary
judgment in a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and FEHA discrimination and retaliation case.
Natalie advises clients regarding potential exposure, complex and novel legal
issues, litigation budgets, and strategies to avoid future litigation. Natalie
employs cost-sensitive legal strategies to achieve favorable results for
clients. While in law school, Natalie externed for the Honorable Larry A. Burns
of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California and
at the San Diego Public Defender’s Office. Natalie served as a member of the San
Diego International Law Journal, as Student Bar Association Vice President, and
was extensively involved in the Moot Court program, where she argued before
judges of the Ninth and Second Circuits and won national and intramural awards
for her brief writing and oral advocacy skills.
 * Constitutional Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Law Enforcement Defense
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * Orange County Bar Association


ROBERT F. MESSINGER

Robert Messinger practices in the areas of public agency real estate, land use,
community and economic development, and general municipal law. He has
represented a variety of municipalities, housing authorities, special purpose
public agencies, and developers in a broad range of complex multi-party real
estate transactions, land entitlement, Subdivision Map Act, and planning
matters.  Robert has extensive experience with real property transactions
involving real property acquisition and disposition transactions, commercial
leasing, ground leasing, options, easements, and licenses.  Robert previously
served for thirteen years with San Bernardino County Counsel, where he advised
and represented the County’s Real Estate Services Department on all aspects of
real property acquisition and disposition. Robert also has extensive experience
assisting public agencies with airport matters, special purpose entity formation
and governance, advising Local Agency Formation Commissions on reorganization
matters, advising Countywide Oversight Boards in interpreting and implementing
the redevelopment dissolution statutes, and the interpretation of and compliance
with the Surplus Land Act. Robert is known for his commitment to helping his
clients achieve their goals by providing pragmatic strategies and his ability to
pursue a collaborative approach in order to achieve resolution. His commitment
to delivering superior work product, exceeding client expectations through
exceptional service, integrity, and results are the personal values that form
Robert’s client relationships.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of Colorado


RACHEL E. BALCHUM

Rachel Balchum is a senior associate in Burke’s Labor and Employment Law
Practice Group. Rachel represents public and private employers and individuals
in employment disputes, including in the areas of discrimination, harassment,
retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage and hour. She provides preventative
counseling regarding employment practices, including COVID-19 issues, as well.

In addition, Rachel represents clients in trust and estate, financial elder
abuse, and business litigation.

During law school, Rachel served as a legal extern at the United Nations
Development Programme in Guatemala.

 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California

 * San Francisco Jewish Family and Children’s Services Program and Planning
   Committee, Donor Circle Committee, and 2019-2020 New Leaders Fellow
 * Bar Association of San Francisco
 * Former Beverly Hills Bar Association Barristers Board of Governors, Pro-Bono
   Committee Co-Founder, and Holiday Community Outreach Project Committee
   Co-Founder
 * American Bar Association
 * Bet Tzedek Legal Services Justice for Seniors and Employment Rights
   Project—Volunteer Attorney


LEILA MOSHREF-DANESH

Leila is an accomplished environmental and land use attorney. With a background
in local government, Leila is able to lend years of on-the-ground, real world
experience to her clients navigating the ins and outs of local laws and
regulations. Leila’s particular expertise is in the California Environmental
Quality Act (CEQA) with special focus on Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) –
from consultant selection to document preparation and review, to AB 52
consultation, and all the way through certification and project approval. Leila
also practices land use law, advising both private and public clients throughout
the entitlement process, and has drafted a number of local ordinances

Recently, Leila provided environmental and land use advice for two large-scale
development projects, including a Southern California hospital expansion and
multi-use office, residential, and retail development in Silicon Valley

Leila is currently a member of the California Special Districts Association
Legal Advisory Working Group, and chairs Burke’s Pro Bono/Civic Engagement
Committee.

 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California

 * Riverside County Bar Association
 * California Special Districts Association Legal Advisory Working Group


MARY ANNE WAGNER

Mary Wagner practices public law, with an emphasis on land use, housing, and
real estate.  Mary regularly advises public agencies on development projects,
including negotiating development agreements and updating general plans,
specific plans, and zoning codes.  She represents numerous cities throughout the
State on the updates to their Housing Elements.  Prior to joining Burke, Mary
served as the City Attorney for the City of Sausalito for 20 years.  Mary is
currently the General Counsel to the South San Francisco Housing Authority and
Assistant City Attorney for Benicia. In representing cities, Mary brings her
practical approach, legal expertise, and serves as an active member of the
team.  In Sausalito, she was part of a Management Academy that trained Sausalito
and other Marin County jurisdiction employees the skills needed to move into
management. Mary believes in proactive representation.  She has presented on
conflicts of interest and the Brown Act.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California

 * Marin County Bar Association
 * Order of the Coif
 * Thurston Society


KRISTEN S. STEINKE

Kristen Steinke is a Partner at Burke, Williams & Sorensen.  Kristen currently
serves as the City Attorney for the City of Lemon Grove.  Kristen previously
assisted the City of San Marcos, the City of San Diego, the City of National
City, the City of Carlsbad and other public agencies as Special Counsel. 
Kristen’s practice centers on real property-related litigation, eminent domain,
inverse condemnation, land use and municipal law.  She represents public
entities, land-owners, developers, businesses of all sizes, contractors,
subcontractors and, others in a wide variety of development-related matters.
Kristen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the
University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2001 and thereafter moved to
Washington, D.C. to work for the U.S. Senate.  In 2007 she earned her law degree
from Whittier Law School and discovered an interest in municipal law, land use
practice and civil litigation. Kristen is the immediate past President of the
City Attorney’s Association of San Diego.  She was the Chair of the Eminent
Domain Section of the San Diego County Bar Association from 2013 to 2015 and
again served as Chair between 2018 and 2021.  She is a member of the State Bar
of California and is the immediate past Chair of the Escondido Chamber of
Commerce.  Native to San Diego, Kristen enjoys golf, hiking and spending time
with her husband and two young daughters.
 * Eminent Domain
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * San Diego County Bar Association, Member and Chair of Eminent Domain Section
 * City Attorneys Association of San Diego County, immediate past President


KATE S. IM

Kate Im is a senior associate attorney in Burke’s Los Angeles office and is a
member of the Labor & Employment, and Education Law practice groups.  Kate
represents and advises cities, school districts, and other public agencies on
matters ranging from employee discipline, hiring, and layoffs, collective
bargaining, discrimination/civil rights claims, and governance issues. Her
practice includes related litigation matters such as civil suits, writs of
mandamus, and administrative hearings. While attending the University of
Southern California Gould School of Law, Kate interned with at the Lanterman
Regional Center Special Education Law Clinic and the Neighborhood Legal Services
of Los Angeles at their Keck/LA County Hospital location. Published Decisions
 * Payan v. Los Angeles Community College District (9th Cir. 2021) ---F.4th---

 * Education Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California


GENA B. BURNS

Pronouns: she, her, hers Gena Burns is a partner in Burke's Labor and Employment
and Public Law Practice Groups. Gena provides municipal law services to public
agencies throughout California. Gena’s practice includes providing advice to
department heads and public agency officials, serving as lead labor negotiator
for public entity negotiations, and advising and representing employers on
discipline issues.  She has drafted contracts, resolutions, ordinances,
administrative policies, and employee handbooks. She regularly advises municipal
clients on labor and employment matters, open meeting laws, and the California
Public Records Act. She has represented clients in both state and federal court,
as well as in administrative settings.  She has successfully handled cases
before the Public Employment Relations Board and the National Labor Relations
Board. Gena enjoys delivering training on a variety of legal matters, including
social media for public agencies and officials. Gena currently serves as Deputy
City Attorney for the City of San Clemente and is counsel for several
commissions. Gena graduated cum laude from the University of California,
Hastings College of the Law.  While in law school, she was a member of the UC
Hastings Business Law Journal and studied at the University of Leiden in the
Netherlands.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * California Public Employers Relations Association
 * City Attorneys Association of San Diego


ELIZABETH A. MITCHELL

Elizabeth Mitchell handles all legal issues confronted by local agencies and
special districts from advice regarding board and legislative actions,
administrative policy implementation, open meetings, election laws and effective
government to claims avoidance, mitigation and processing, negotiations,
advisory and transactional law, labor and employment law, water law, public
contracts, insurance, liability issues, real estate, leases, easements and
development agreements, low income housing projects, civil rights, regulatory
compliance, code enforcement, public works, infrastructure and rate setting. 
Admitted to the California State Bar in 1999, Elizabeth utilizes her extensive
background as a trial attorney in civil litigation and business transactions to
help public agencies, municipalities, special districts, joint power
authorities, non-profits and businesses avoid potential future legal problems
before they arise. She has been focusing on public interest law since 2015, but
also has a corporate and transactional practice. Before joining the firm,
Elizabeth was a partner in the litigation department of one of San Diego’s
premiere mid-size business defense firms. Her sophisticated trial practice
included international and multi-district civil litigation in state and federal
court, unfair competition and trade secret cases, intellectual property,
creditors’ rights, environmental causes, large corporate bankruptcies and
American with Disabilities Act claims, among others. She also has experience
with all aspects of transactional and corporate advice, contracts, negotiations,
compliance and strategic planning, leases, franchises, acquisitions and other
complex corporate work.  Elizabeth also spent time at a boutique plaintiff’s
class action firm pursuing high profile public interest cases including privacy
and constitutional rights, labor and employment law, health care and technology,
false advertising and the Lanham Act. Before law school, she served as a
legislative intern for the majority chairman of the House of Representative’s
Education Committee. Elizabeth is now the City Attorney for the City of San
Clemente, General Counsel for Vista Irrigation District, the Assistant City
Attorney for the City of Solana Beach, the Assistant City Attorney for the City
of Coronado, Assistant General Counsel for Clean Energy Alliance, and the
Assistant General Counsel for SBCS Corporation, putting her diverse background
to work for local government, special districts, non-profits and businesses
throughout California.
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California

 * City Attorneys Association of San Diego
 * California Special Districts Association
 * San Diego County Bar Association
 * Lawyers Club of San Diego


JOHANNA N. CANLAS

Johanna Canlas serves as City Attorney for the cities of Solana Beach and
Coronado.  She is General Counsel of the successor agencies to the Community
Development Agency for the City of Coronado and the Solana Beach Redevelopment
Agency.  Johanna is the General Counsel to SBCS Corporation fka South Bay
Community Services, a community-based nonprofit organization providing a
comprehensive range of services for children, youth, and families in San Diego
county. Johanna served as the General Counsel to Solana Energy Alliance (SEA),
the first Community Choice Energy program in the San Diego region prior to its
merger into Clean Energy Alliance (CEA). Johanna represents clients in all
matters affecting public agency and non-profit governance, from day- to-day
decision-making and operations to long-term policy implementation. These include
land use, zoning and planning, environmental review and compliance, public
contracting, labor and employment, real estate transactions, and
intergovernmental relations. Johanna is active with CalCities (League of
California Cities). She was an inaugural member of the City Attorney’s
Department Emergency Response Committee. She also served as the San Diego County
Division Representative to the Legal Advocacy Committee. She is a past president
of the City Attorneys Association of San Diego. As a former prosecutor, Johanna
has invaluable jury and court trial experience. She brings with her an inherent
understanding of quality of life issues. She established programs working with
stakeholders including law enforcement, businesses and resident groups to
achieve practical and pragmatic solutions to community concerns. Johanna has
proven an effective advocate for clients.  She has represented them before
regional boards, state permitting agencies, and federal regulatory bodies.  She
built relationships she can draw upon to facilitate open dialogue and reach
common ground when available. While Johanna provides constructive and practical
legal advice to her clients, she will zealously defend them when needed. She
prioritizes her relationships with clients, many of which span more than a
decade.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Labor Relations
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * San Diego County Bar Association
 * Lawyers Club


N. RICHARD SHREIBA

Richard Shreiba is an Associate in Burke’s Orange County office where he
provides advice and council to public and private entities on labor and
employment matters. Richard is experienced in providing employers with practical
solutions to every-day personnel related issues, as well as representing
employers throughout the various stages of litigation in both state and federal
courts.

Richard’s experience includes assisting employers throughout the employee
discipline process, preparing workplace policies and handbooks, preparing
executive employment agreements, advising employers with leave related issues,
guiding employers throughout the interactive process for workplace disability
accommodations, and presenting workplace trainings.

Richard has represented public entities at various different levels of
government, and private entities that varied from small regional businesses to
large national enterprises.

During law school, Richard clerked for multiple public entities. Richard’s
experience and passion for serving public and non-profit entities enables him to
provide exceptional service and creative solutions for his clients.

Richard’s first career as a manager in the financial services industry enables
him to provide employers with practical strategies and creative alternatives to
solving employment personnel issues while simultaneously complying with state
and federal employment laws.

During his free time, Richard loves to enjoy the outdoors and catching a
baseball game whenever possible. He enjoys spending time at the beach, Angel
stadium, and hiking state and national parks with his family.

 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Orange County Bar Association
 * California Bar Association


ROBERT L. THEIRING

Robert Theiring, who had lived most of his life in the greater Los Angeles area,
found a new home in San Diego while serving in the United States Navy on board
the USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) in 2010.  Throughout the course of his formal
higher education, he earned externships with three federal judges in the
Southern District of California including, The Honorable Karen S. Crawford, The
Honorable Anthony J. Battaglia, and The Honorable Bernard G. Skomal. Robert
achieved repeated success in a series of honors, veteran and legal societies,
and competitions to add experience to his established passion. Some of these
achievements include gaining membership to the California Western Law Review as
an Associate Editor (via his article being chosen for publication) and Executive
Board Member for the Moot Court Honors Board. As a competitor on the Alternative
Dispute Resolution Travel team, Robert achieved success in various competitions
around the country including 2nd Place at the ABA Mediation Regional Competition
held in New York.  He gained invaluable skills and extensive training in order
to best represent his clients as a result of these achievements.  Following law
school, Robert was honored to be admitted to the University of Southern
California Gould School of Law and graduated in 2019 with an LL.M. in
Alternative Dispute Resolution, and received the highest grade for Mediation
Advocacy. Prior to joining Burke, Robert was an associate attorney for a highly
regarded San Diego firm providing representation in the defense of automobile
liability, subrogation, real estate litigation, construction defect litigation,
premises liability, copyright infringement, and employment lawsuits at the state
and federal level. Robert’s involvement in litigated matters included creating
and executing written discovery plans, conducting and defending depositions,
writing and arguing motions, successfully achieving favorable settlements
through informal negotiations, and mediation advocacy, and all necessary
components of trial and arbitration preparation. Additionally, Robert has
experience in defending public entities in a variety of claims including
premises liability, inverse condemnation, and personal injury. Specifically,
Robert has represented various public entities throughout California defending
inverse condemnation claims up to and including trial. Throughout his life,
Robert has always sought to be a passionate advocate for those he represents and
seeks to provide the same work ethic and drive that his father instilled in his
own life to working tirelessly for the benefit of his clients and their
well-being. Outside of Burke, Robert can be found spending time with his wife
and two children, taking trips to Disneyland, playing any game (board, card, or
video), or waving a Terrible Towel cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
 * Construction Law
 * Eminent Domain
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * San Diego County Bar Association
 * San Diego Defense Lawyers
 * University of Southern California Gould School of Law Alumni Association -
   San Diego Committee Chair


DHRUVA (NEEL) GHANSHYAM

Pronouns: he, him, his Neel Ghanshyam is a senior associate in Burke, Williams &
Sorensen’s Orange County office. Neel has extensive experience representing
public entities, including K-12 school districts, hospitals and law enforcement
agencies, in matters pertaining to litigation, investigations, writ actions,
employee discipline and employee relations. Prior to practicing law, Neel worked
as a legal investigator for the U.S. Department of Labor, where he assisted in
their ERISA compliance program and assisted in auditing employer and union
retirement benefit and health benefit plans. Neel earned his Juris Doctor degree
from Loyola Law School. He served as the school’s Student Bar Association
President in 2013-2014.
 * Education Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California


CHARLES H. ABBOTT

Pronouns: he, him, his

Charles H. Abbott is an experienced civil litigator and trial lawyer. In his
career, he has first or second chaired over ten jury trials. In his most recent
trial, Charlie secured a defense verdict for a municipality and its police force
in a catastrophic personal-injury action. He has secured dozens of pre-trial
victories in claims of dangerous conditions of public property. He is also a
thought leader in this area, making frequent presentations on recent appellate
decisions to government lawyers and interest groups. Charlie is an effective
appellate advocate. In 2021, he drafted and argued an appeal in Martinez v. City
of Beverly Hills, which created a new standard for constructive notice under
California law.

While his practice focuses on public-entity defense, Charlie has extensive
experience in complex civil litigation, class actions, employment, data breach,
and insurance defense. He has represented large public businesses in the retail,
food and beverage, entertainment, telecommunications, and entertainment
industries in bet-the-company litigation and internal investigations. Charlie
also has a proven track record of creating compliance programs and leading
internal investigations. His compliance background provides context when Charlie
advises his clients how to prevent future harm.

 * Data Privacy & Cyber Security
 * Eminent Domain
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of Nevada
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California


MICHAEL R. NEBENZAHL

Pronouns: he, him, his Michael R. Nebenzahl is a seasoned litigator with 40
trials to verdict and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates
(ABOTA). His practice focuses on the defense of high stakes personal injury
litigation matters involving wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, emotional
injuries and brain damage. Michael has built his practice over the last two
decades handling cases for public entities such as cities, school districts,
utility companies and transportation agencies.  He defends claims of dangerous
conditions of public property, claims of liability stemming from the wrongful
conduct or negligent acts of employees, and claims in defense of
employment-related matters. These defenses range from roadway design, to the
protocols and practices for maintaining streets, sidewalks, and infrastructure,
to urban forestry, as well as termination and/or discriminatory
employment-related matters. While he knows that a bell can't be un-rung, Michael
takes great pride in understanding how and why any incident occurred and
spending much time, effort and analysis in providing advice to his clients on
how to prevent future harm. One of Southern California's most experienced and
well-regarded trial attorneys, Michael has been representing clients such as the
City of Beverly Hills for over two decades, and his defense verdict for the Rose
Bowl in a 2008 brain damage case resulted in being named to the Daily Journal's
List of Top Ten Defense Verdicts.
 * Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
 * Los Angeles County Bar Association
 * Southern California Association of Defense Counsel


SUSAN V. ARDUENGO, AWI-CH

Pronouns: she, her, hers Susan Arduengo is a partner in Burke’s Labor and
Employment Law practice group and a core member of Burke's Workplace
Investigations team. Susan is an Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI)
Certificate Holder, the convener for the AWI Los Angeles Mentoring Circle, and a
member of AWI’s Membership & Marketing Committee and Public Sector Affinity
Group.  Susan is also a frequent speaker on best practices in conducting
workplace investigations. Susan conducts workplace investigations as a neutral
fact-finder.  She has investigated numerous employment-related complaints
including allegations of harassment and discrimination based on sex, race,
disability, marital status, national origin, and religion, abusive conduct,
mismanagement/negligence, retaliation, sexual assault, workplace violence,
workplace sabotage, policy violations, and wage and hour violations. Susan
regularly investigates allegations against elected officials, sworn personnel,
as well as anonymous complaints.  Employers rely on her findings to make
informed decisions on how to resolve internal workplace complaints. Susan also
oversees and advises clients on investigations conducted by external
investigators. Additionally, Susan is a frequent public speaker and provides
California’s mandatory sexual harassment prevention training for supervisory and
non-supervisory employees of public and private employers.  She is experienced
in virtual and in-person training to groups both large and small. Susan’s
litigation experience defending employers provides her an advantage in providing
her clients preventative employment counseling. Susan’s counseling work is
focused on litigation avoidance on matters related to employee discipline,
leaves of absences, and separation issues. Susan is also experienced in drafting
employment policies, handbooks, and separation agreements as well as performing
employment law compliance audits.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of Illinois (Inactive)
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
 * United Stated District Court for the Southern District of New York

 * Association of Workplace Investigators, Public Sector Affinity Group,
   Founding Member (2023 - present)
 * Association of Workplace Investigators, Membership & Marketing Committee,
   Member (2023 - present)
 * Association of Workplace Investigators, Los Angeles Mentoring Circle,
   Convener
 * Association of Workplace Investigators, Certificate Holder
 * Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
 * Los Angeles Bar Association
 * State Bar of California, Labor & Employment Law Section
 * Orange County Bar Association, Entertainment, Sports & Marketing Section,
   Chair-Elect (2018)
 * Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors (2017-2018)
 * Ellevate, Orange County Chapter, Founding Co-President (2016-2017)


TAMAR M. BURKE

Pronouns: she, her, hers Tamar Burke is an associate in the public law practice
group.  She advises public entity clients on all matters, including California
Public Records Act and Brown Act compliance, code enforcement, eminent domain,
and municipal governance issues.  She regularly conducts ethics and AB 1234
trainings for the firm's public clients, and advises on similar ethics issues.
Tamar has litigated Public Records Act and Brown Act claims, property
maintenance issues, quiet title, and eminent domain.  Her litigation practice
includes drafting and managing discovery, drafting motions in limine and
corresponding oppositions, writ practice, and otherwise preparing cases for
trial or hearings.  She has also reviewed and edited the CEB’s Municipal Law
Handbook. Tamar earned her J.D. from UC Hastings and graduated cum laude with a
concentration in government law.  As a law student, Tamar interned with the
Government team of the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office where she worked on
the City’s sanctuary city litigation and provided advice to various City
commissions and departments.  She also interned with the State of California’s
Office of Legislative Counsel, drafting legislation regarding environmental,
education, transportation, and energy law.  As a member of the nationally ranked
UC Hastings Moot Court Team, she competed in the Evans Constitutional Law Moot
Court Competition.  She was also selected to participate in the UC Hastings
Appellate Project, and represented a client in proceedings before the Ninth
Circuit. Before law school, Tamar received her B.A. in Political Science from UC
Davis.  Throughout her undergraduate studies, Tamar worked in and around
government by interning in state legislators’ offices and working at a lobbying
and consulting firm to further environmentally sound policies in California.
 * Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California


ELISABETH A. FRATER, AWI-CH

Pronouns: she, her, hers Elisabeth Frater is a Partner at Burke, Williams &
Sorensen, LLP. She has over 30 years of litigation experience and has conducted
complex internal investigations for over a dozen years. She represents both
public and private-sector clients including cities, counties, private and public
universities, state agencies and Fortune 5 companies in employment law and
litigation, business litigation, administrative law, civil rights matters and
criminal law. As a trial lawyer, she has successfully represented individuals,
businesses, public officials and local and state governmental entities in more
than 130 jury trials throughout California. As certificate-holder from the
Association of Workplace Investigators, Elisabeth is in demand as an
investigator. She is accomplished at handling investigations in areas including
discrimination, harassment, retaliation, disability discrimination, fraud, and
workplace violence, and is skilled at handling high-profile cases involving
public officials and law enforcement. Elisabeth worked for the California
Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, for over nine years,
first as a Deputy Attorney General and then, as a Supervising Deputy Attorney
General overseeing a team of litigation attorneys in the Civil Division. Earlier
in her career she was a prosecutor at District Attorney’s offices in Sacramento,
San Francisco and Napa, where she prosecuted felony and misdemeanor cases,
conducted grand jury proceedings, and worked with municipal police departments,
county sheriff’s offices and other law enforcement agencies.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Law Enforcement Defense
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * Beverly Hills Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section Executive
   Committee and former Chair
 * Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles, Member
 * Past Hispanic Employees Advisory Committee, Department of Justice, Chair


ERIC S. PHILLIPS

Pronouns: he, him, his Eric Phillips practices in the areas of land use, real
estate, and CEQA compliance.  Eric represents clients in all phases of the
development process, including property acquisition, entitlement and
administrative approvals, CEQA compliance, compliance with state housing laws,
and negotiating real estate disputes.  Eric has particular experience with State
Density Bonus Law, the Housing Accountability Act, SB 35, and Housing Element
Law. Eric assists private clients to successfully obtain subdivision maps,
density bonuses, development agreements, and other land use approvals. He also
has served as special counsel to numerous public agencies and provides advice on
writing ordinances and legislative findings related to zoning, subdivisions,
inclusionary housing programs, rent control and tenant protection measures, and
impact fees. In both roles, Eric has worked with various clients to negotiate
and close purchase and sale agreements, draft loan agreements, create
below-market-rate rental and for-sale programs, perform property diligence,
craft residential preference programs, and work with technical consultants to
prepare Draft and Final EIRs.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * California Chapter of the American Planning Association, Vice President of
   Policy and Legislation


JOANNE MADDEN

Joanne Madden’s practice focuses on litigation involving commercial disputes,
corporate governance, and employment matters.  She represents companies involved
in disputes concerning lease obligations, online service agreements, trade
secrets, risk allocation between suppliers, and employment contracts. She also
has extensive experience representing transportation and construction companies
in general liability matters. Her clients include individuals, non- profits,
small to mid-size businesses, as well as Fortune 500 companies. While primarily
a litigator, she also advises clients on risk management in various settings.
She has counseled individuals, corporations, and public entities concerning
compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, California’s Unruh Act,
Wage and Hour regulations, OSHA, Motor Carrier regulations, environmental
regulations such as California’s Proposition 65, and consumer protection laws.
Joanne also counsels a national product distributor on claim and litigation
management. She appears in federal and state courts, arbitrations,
administrative hearings as well as before special masters. Joanne serves as
Judge Pro Tem for the San Francisco Superior Court, mediating landlord tenant
disputes and sitting as a small claims judge.
 * Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * San Francisco County Bar Association


BERNARD GEHLHAR

Pronouns: he, him, his Bernard Gehlhar focuses his practice on the
representation of consumer product companies, defending them in products
liability litigation, advising on regulatory and corporate issues, and assisting
with contractual matters. Bernard also has extensive experience dealing with
other types of products, including industrial products. Bernard works closely
with clients to gain an understanding of their business model and objectives in
order to provide practical guidance on day-to-day business decisions in the
context of legal risk. In addition to his litigation and litigation management
roles, Bernard is a trusted advisor to clients in various related areas,
including product safety and regulatory compliance.  He routinely assists
clients with Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) compliance and reporting;
product recalls, and in reviewing product manuals, safety warnings, labels, and
other collateral materials.  Bernard assists clients with negotiating and
drafting contracts, including licensing and vendor agreements.  Bernard also has
significant experience counseling clients with respect to advertising and
promotional activities, including sweepstakes and contests. Bernard has
experience with a broad range of civil litigation matters, including class
actions and other complex cases.  In addition to products liability cases,
Bernard has handled commercial disputes and defended professional liability
matters on behalf of mortgage brokers, insurance agents and brokers, third-party
administrators, investment advisors, securities broker-dealers and attorneys,
among others.  He also has litigated business torts and defended claims of
breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and vicarious liability for the acts of
employees and agents. Bernard handles cases in state and federal trial courts
and in various arbitration forums and has extensive experience with appellate
proceedings.  He has drafted countless briefs and argued before the California
Courts of Appeal and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in matters involving a
range of substantive areas, including professional liability, products
liability, general liability, business torts, and ERISA.
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * American Bar Association
 * The Bar Association of San Francisco
 * DRI


PATRICIA L. PEDEN

Pronouns: she, her, hers Patricia Peden is a seasoned trial attorney and member
of Burke's Intellectual Property Practice Group. Her practice focuses on
litigating patent infringement cases, trade secret litigation, and other complex
commercial litigation.  In addition to bringing to the table a deep knowledge of
substantive legal doctrines, Patricia offers clients solid business judgment and
an unwavering commitment to client service. Patricia understands cases are won
by hard work, creative thinking and mastery of the law and facts.  She litigates
with an eye toward trial, allowing her to make cost-benefit judgment calls
during discovery based on what is truly needed for a successful result. 
Patricia maximizes early case planning to ensure litigation costs are
proportional to case value.  And she understands the importance of teamwork and
communication.  She strives to provide her clients with clear, concrete
solutions to complex legal problems. Patricia has extensive federal court
experience.  She clerked for two federal judges, the Honorable David Folsom in
the Eastern District of Texas and the Honorable Richard C. Tallman at the Ninth
Circuit Court of Appeals. She has litigated disputes ranging from large, complex
cases with multi-million-dollar damage claims to smaller suits between private
parties.  Her patent infringement cases have involved a wide range of
technologies, including cellular telephony, recombinant human erythropoietin,
LED technology, Wi-Fi, various chipsets, software and business methods, to name
a few.  She has litigated non-compete agreements and trade secret disputes.  She
has substantial experience litigating cases in the Eastern District of Texas,
the Northern District of California, and other magnet venues for intellectual
property disputes.  Patricia has considerable experience with complex commercial
cases involving trade secrets and non-compete agreements, copyright, trademark,
antitrust, fraud, breach of contract, business torts, and defamation. Patricia
also maintains an active appellate practice.
 * Intellectual Property
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

 * Adjunct Professor, University of Arkansas School of Law, Trial Evidence
   Advocacy
 * Chair, PLI’s California Trial Evidence Program (2014 – 2017)
 * Edward J. McFetridge American Inn of Court , Barrister
 * Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal’s Pro Bono Program: Volunteer Appellate Counsel


ELI J. FLUSHMAN

Pronouns: he, him, his Eli Flushman is a public law partner in Burke’s Marin
County office.  Eli is a skilled municipal law attorney who has great experience
advising cities on general municipal law, including, drafting ordinances,
advising staff on land use and development, code enforcement, public nuisance
litigation, and general litigation. Eli’s code enforcement practice centers on
working with cities to abate properties with nuisance conditions utilizing
administrative enforcement, civil litigation, receiverships, demolitions,
inspection and abatement warrants, and voluntary compliance.  He also has
experience conducting criminal prosecutions for municipal code violations, and
opposing Pitchess motions. Eli is a graduate of the University of San Francisco
School of Law.  At USF, Eli was the President of the Jewish Law Student
Association and a member of the USF Trial Team.  Eli received his undergraduate
degree from UC Berkeley, where he spent a year with the baseball team.  Prior to
his employment with Burke, Eli worked for the City of Vallejo, where he built up
and led the Neighborhood Law Program, a successful campaign utilizing legal
processes to drastically improve the quality of life for citizens of Vallejo.
 Eli spent over six years in Vallejo, where the Neighborhood Law Program was
involved in over 25 Receivership cases, and 20 public nuisance lawsuits, turning
over severely dilapidated and nuisance properties and helping to create an
environment that made Solano County one of the top real estate markets in the
country. Prior to his work with the City of Vallejo, Eli has worked in the City
Attorney's Office in Redwood City and in Berkeley, and as a Staff Attorney for
the League of California Cities.
 * Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California

 * Solano County Bar Association
 * Berkeley YMCA Youth and Government Trial and Appellate team advisor,
   2014-2017


ROBERT W. DICKERSON, JR.

Pronouns: he, him, his Robert Dickerson, Jr., Chair of Burke’s IP Practice
Group, has been litigating patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret, and
antitrust cases for over 30 years, most of those as first chair, and many of
those for Fortune 500 companies.  He has litigated cases in many U.S. District
Courts throughout the country, before the International Trade Commission, and in
the United States Patent and Trademark Office, compiling an exceptional
win-to-loss ratio.  He has also successfully argued cases before various
appellate courts, including the Federal Circuit, and has been retained to lead
and consult on litigation in other countries. Robert's litigation experience
involves a multi-billion dollar antitrust case, copyright infringement cases,
and patent cases involving a wide range of technologies, including various types
of medical devices, optical networks, content delivery systems, web hosting, 3-D
printing, flashlights, laser sintering, stereolithography, biotechnology
(including genetically modified plants), integrated chip design, medical
diagnostic methods and devices, veterinary products, commercial garment
processing, laminated flooring panels, computer switch products, non-volatile
memory, business methods, video and other games, database management, data
encryption and securitization, and mechanical devices, among many others. He is
registered to practice patent law by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office,
oversees patent and trademark prosecution matters, and advises clients on their
overall IP portfolios, including national and global IP strategies and licensing
programs for patents and trademarks.  He has also successfully asserted
copyright infringement cases, obtaining large settlements for his clients.
Robert has litigated general business and franchise matters in state courts and
before administrative agencies.  He has represented a national distributor of
motor vehicles and handled a wide variety of motor vehicle distributor/dealer
issues and litigation throughout the country, in addition to its IP and
antitrust matters. Robert also counsels clients on all IP aspects of
transactional matters (including M&A) and provides infringement and
freedom-to-operate analysis and opinions for patents, trademarks and copyrights.
 He has directed the development and implementation of IP audit, capture,
evaluation, and monetization programs for companies engaged in research and
development. Robert has twice been named as one of the Best Lawyers in America,
and twice named a one of the Top 75 IP attorneys and one of the Top 30 Patent
Litigators in California by California Daily Journal on the basis of results
obtained in large-stakes patent litigation.  He has been named as a Tier 1
Patent litigator and as a California Highly Recommended Litigation Star by
Benchmark Plaintiff, an IP Superstar by Los Angeles Magazine for each of the
last 20 years, and has been recognized in several Who's Who listings of IP
attorneys. Robert has often been quoted in major publications, including the New
York Times and the Wall Street Journal, on hot topics and current cases in IP
law, and has published articles in the ABA Journal and other legal publications.
Robert was lead counsel in a pro bono matter that resulted in the largest
judgment ever obtained in a Public Counsel pro bono consumer fraud case, for
which he received the "California Angel" award from California Magazine. Robert
started his career at IP powerhouse Lyon & Lyon, where he was Associate, then
Partner, and then the first ever Managing Partner of the firm, and he has also
been Chair and Co-Chair of the IP Groups of large national and international law
firms. In law school, Robert was a member of Moot Court Honors Program and on
the intercollegiate team competing in the Giles Sutherland Rich Patent Law
National Competition (Winner, Regional Finals), a member of Law Review, and
winner of the Jurisprudence Award in Property. Prior to starting law school,
Robert worked as a cowboy on a cattle ranch, paid for his undergraduate
education by playing lead guitar in a professional rock n' roll band, and worked
for Shell Development Corporation involved in research and development of
herbicides and pesticides. “Success is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent
perspiration.”  (Thomas Alva Edison). “Very few things are ever as good or bad
as they seem at the moment, so don’t overreact to either.”  (Author Unknown).
 * Intellectual Property

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Patent Bar
 * United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California


MARVIN C. CHO

Pronouns: he, him, his Marvin Cho is a senior associate in Burke, Williams &
Sorensen’s Los Angeles office and is a member of the firm’s Employment Law and
Litigation practice group.  He is an experienced litigator whose practice
includes representing public and private employers in state and federal court,
in arbitration proceedings, and before administrative agencies such as the
Division of Labor Standards Enforcement and the Department of Fair Employment
and Housing. Prior to joining Burke, Marvin worked at a prominent boutique
employment litigation firm where he gained significant experience litigating
claims for discrimination, retaliation, and harassment under the Fair Employment
and Housing Act (“FEHA”), wrongful termination claims, whistleblower actions,
violations of California wage and hour law, and representative actions under the
Private Attorneys General Act.  Thereafter, Marvin joined a public entity
defense firm where he defended civil lawsuits filed against municipalities
including high-profile employment litigation alleging violations of the FEHA,
civil rights cases against local law enforcement arising under 42 U.S.C. § 1983,
and personal injury actions. Marvin has substantial experience in all phases of
civil litigation including engaging in motion practice, drafting appellate
briefs, appearing in court for oral argument, taking depositions, handling all
aspects of discovery, negotiating settlements, and preparing for trial. In 2010,
Marvin graduated magna cum laude from UCLA with a B.A. in Psychology.  He earned
his J.D. in 2014 from UC Davis School of Law where he was an editor of the UC
Davis Law Review and graduated Order of the Coif.  During law school, Marvin
served as a judicial extern to the Honorable James V. Selna of the United States
District Court, Central District of California.  After law school, and prior to
entering private practice, he served as a law clerk for all three Justices of
the Supreme Court of Guam.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California


SUSAN K. CHELSEA

Susan Chelsea has over three decades of employment law, business and commercial
litigation, automobile dealership representation, construction law, and
government contract claims experience. Susan’s practice primarily focuses on
employment law, but over the past 30 years she has handled matters involving
general business litigation, contract disputes, construction contract disputes,
consumer claims, government contract claims, mechanic’s lien and stop notice
claims, and general liability defense. Susan’s employment practice includes both
counseling and litigation work. She drafts and updates employee handbooks, other
employer policies and procedures, employment agreements, severance agreements,
nondisclosure agreements, commission agreements, pay plans, and anti-harassment
policies.  Her employment counseling practice includes wage and hour compliance,
hiring and firing, and FMLA, CFRA, and ADA compliance. Susan conducts workplace
investigations as an independent investigator. She also counsels employers
through the investigation process when the investigation is handled in-house or
by an independent third party investigator. An experienced litigator, Susan has
successfully tried and arbitrated cases involving wrongful termination,
retaliation, wage and hour, trade secrets, and unfair competition as well as
real estate issues, business disputes, construction disputes, securities
transactions and products liability. Susan has defended employers in over 40
wage claims before the California Labor Commissioner. She has also successfully
defended employers subject to Labor Commissioner citations, eliminating or
substantially reducing civil penalties assessed against employers. Susan has
also successfully defended businesses against OSHA citations, including
obtaining dismissal of citations after a successful appeal and hearing. Finally,
Susan has defended businesses against ADA claims, both in the employment context
and related to accessibility issues. Susan frequently presents on topics related
to employment law and provides training to employers on various topics including
anti-harassment and bullying, how to conduct proper workplace investigations,
and compliance with updated laws and regulations. A leader in the legal
community, Susan served as Chair of USLAW Network’s Employment & Labor Law
Practice Group. Susan was a faculty member of the University of San Diego
Lawyer’s Assistant Program for nine years.  She served on the Executive
Committee of the State Bar Real Property Law Section and was the Co-Chair of the
Litigation Subsection of the State Bar Real Property Law Section. She also
served as Co-Chair of the San Diego County Bar Association Construction Law
Section, and a barrister with the Inns of Court, Wallace Inn.
 * Construction Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California
 * United States Court of Federal Claims

 * State Bar of California, Real Property Law Section, Executive Committee
   (2012-2015)
 * State Bar of California, Real Property Law Section, Litigation Subsection,
   Co-Chair (2011-2012)
 * California Lawyers Association, Labor and Employment Law Section
 * USLAW Network, Employment and Labor Law Practice Group, Chair (2017-2019);
   Vice-Chair (2015-2017); Secretary 2014-2015)


MARK H. NYS

Mark Nys represents automobile and recreational vehicle dealerships (single
point, independent and automobile dealership groups) and automobile and
recreational vehicle manufacturers, direct and indirect lenders, flooring
lenders, automobile service centers and surety bonding companies in litigation
involving catastrophic loss, negligence, fraud, product liability, warranty,
lemon law and auto financing disputes throughout California.  He has had
extensive experience representing clients in franchise disputes between dealers
and between dealers and manufacturers of automobiles and recreational vehicles.
In the construction industry, Mark represents owners, developers, general
contractors, subcontractors and design professionals in both residential and
commercial construction, construction defect, workplace injuries and complex
construction transactional matters. He provides guidance in both public and
private works projects, counseling clients on construction financing, mechanics’
liens, stop notices, and enforcement actions. Mark also regularly represents
sureties in claims against contractor license bonds. Mark also regularly defends
mobile home parks and homeowners’ associations from liability arising from
resident litigation. Licensed before the United States Patent and Trademark
Office, Mark is also experienced in litigating intellectual property disputes.
In addition to appropriate court admissions, Mark is a licensed California real
estate broker and serves as a trusted legal advisor to credit unions and other
financial institutions in real estate transactions, credit union operations and
lender liability litigation. Originally from Santa Maria, California, Mark
graduated from Claremont McKenna College in 1985 with a B.A. in Chemistry.
Graduating Phi Beta Kappa, Mark was a 4-time NCAA All-American in both singles
and doubles tennis. He then attended the University of California at Irvine,
where he received his Graduate Certificate in Hazardous Materials Management
before moving on to California Western School of Law and earning his Juris
Doctorate in 1997.  Mark retired after twenty years of service as a Surface
Warfare Officer in the United States Navy with the rank of Commander.
 * Construction Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California
 * United States Patent and Trademark Office

 * Phi Beta Kappa
 * San Diego Intellectual Property Law Association
 * San Diego County Bar Association
 * San Diego Bankruptcy Forum
 * Friends of the Chapter-San Diego/Imperial Chapter of the California Credit
   Union League


GINA N. GIOVACCHINI

Pronouns: she, her, hers Gina N. Giovacchini is a senior associate in Burke,
Williams & Sorensen’s Los Angeles office.  Gina’s areas of practice include
public entity defense, premises liability, dangerous condition of public
property, and tort litigation.   Gina is a member of the firm’s Public Law and
Litigation practice groups.  Prior to joining Burke, Gina defended clients
against a variety claims including product and premises liability, breach of
contract, construction defect, catastrophic injury, wrongful death,
class-actions, and complex tort litigation. Gina earned her Juris Doctor degree
from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles and was admitted to the Bar of the State of
California in 2016.  She graduated with concentrations in Criminal Justice and
Public Interest Law and was a member of the Center for Juvenile Law and Policy. 
Gina also clerked for the Capital Habeas Unit for the Office of the Federal Public
Defender of the Central District of California, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los
Angeles, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Honorable Julia W. Brand of
the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California.  Gina earned her B.A.
from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
 * Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * American Bar Association
 * Los Angeles County Bar Association
 * Association of Southern California Defense Counsel


GREGORY B. THOMAS

Gregory Thomas is a partner at Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP who litigates
complex cases in the following areas: government tort liability, civil rights,
constitutional law, jail conditions of confinement, wrongful arrest, excessive
force, catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death, products liability,
writs and appeals, moving and storage claims and professional liability. Greg
has focused on litigation since becoming a member of the State Bar of California
in 2005.  He is admitted to practice before all the courts of the State of
California, all United States District Courts in California and the Ninth
Circuit Court of Appeals.  Greg has extensive experience in all phases of civil
litigation from pre-litigation negotiations to pleadings, law and motion,
discovery, alternative dispute resolution, jury trials to verdict, writs and
appeals, and enforcement of judgments and settlements. During law school, Greg
served as a Judicial Extern for Justice Patricia D. Benke, California Court of
Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One and for Judge J. Richard Haden
(Ret.), Superior Court of California, County of San Diego.  He was also a member
of the University of San Diego’s National Moot Court Team and Moot Court
Executive Board. From 1997 to 2002, Greg served as an officer in the United
States Navy aboard surface combatant ships actively deployed to areas ranging
from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Japan.
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of the United States
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Alameda County Bar Association
 * Northern California Association of Defense Counsel


TEMITAYO (“OPE”) PETERS

Temitayo (“Ope”) Peters is a partner in the firm’s Oakland office.  A member of
the firm’s Litigation and Public Law Practice Groups, Ope provides legal
representation for counties, cities and other public entities.  She also
provides litigation assistance to the firm's Employment Law Practice Group.
Prior to joining the firm, Ope worked in various legal capacities for several
human rights-focused non-governmental agencies and foreign governments
worldwide, and in Washington, D.C. for a prominent lobbying firm. As a student
at Pepperdine University School of Law, Ope earned certificates in International
& Comparative Law and Dispute Resolution.  She also participated in a mediation
clinic where she facilitated the settlement of numerous small claims cases, was
a member of the moot court board, and spent two respective semesters studying in
Washington, DC and London, England.
 * Constitutional Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of New York
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California


SALLY TRUNG NGUYEN, AWI-CH

Pronouns: she, her, hers Sally Trung Nguyen is a partner in the Labor and
Employment Practice Group, and a core member of Burke’s Workplace Investigations
team. Sally regularly conducts impartial workplace investigations and is an
Association of Workplace Investigators Certificate Holder (AWI-CH). She has
conducted countless complex workplace investigations involving sworn and
non-sworn employees, and in both the private and public sector. Sally also
oversees and advises clients on investigations conducted by outside neutral
investigators.  She counsels clients on, among other things, the investigation
process, legal issues that arise, and strategic remedial action plans. Sally has
a special affinity in helping clients resolve labor and employment disputes
through pragmatic approaches.  She regularly advises management, human
resources, and in-house attorneys in the private and public sector on employment
law compliance and best employment practices.  Sally is well-versed in the areas
of medical leaves of absence, disability accommodations, background checks,
performance management, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace
bullying, at-will employment termination, just cause discipline, employee due
process rights, separation of employment, compensation, layoffs, furloughs,
medical examinations, wage and hour compliance, and collective bargaining. In
recognizing that litigation arising from employment disputes cannot always be
prevented and that clients’ needs vary, Sally provides advice that is
specifically tailored to each client’s circumstances and priorities to help them
overcome potential challenges they may face in a lawsuit.  Sally has
successfully represented clients in trial, administrative hearings, disciplinary
appeals, and grievance arbitrations. In addition to Burke, Sally has worked at
two AmLaw 100 law firms where she focused her practice exclusively on California
labor and employment law matters. Sally has represented clients in individual
and class action employment cases in state, federal, and administrative
proceedings before the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the
California Civil Rights Department (previously referred to as the “Department of
Fair Employment and Housing”), and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
In addition, Sally has earned a mediation certificate with Community Boards.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of New York
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California

 * Association of Workplace Investigators
 * Vietnamese American Bar Association of Northern California


KYLE ANNE PIASECKI

Pronouns: she, her, hers Kyle Anne Piasecki is a partner at the Los Angeles
office of Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP.  She practices with the firm’s
Litigation Department. Kyle Anne received her law degree in 2016 from the
University of Michigan Law School.  While in law school, she served as a Senior
Editor of the Michigan Journal of Law Reform and published an Article in the
journal entitled Surviving Preemption in a World of Comprehensive Regulations,
49 U. MICH. J.L. REFORM (2015).  Kyle Anne graduated magna cum laude in 2011
from Macalester College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.  Prior to
joining Burke, Kyle Anne clerked for The Honorable Steven B. Berlin in the
Department of Labor Office of Administrative Law Judges.
 * Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of Colorado
 * State Bar of New York


KRISTIN E. CHARBONNIER

Pronouns: she, her, hers Kristin Charbonnier is a trial attorney and partner in
Burke’s San Francisco office.  Her practice focuses on complex commercial
litigation, real estate litigation, and eminent domain. Kristin has achieved
favorable results for her clients in jury trials, arbitrations and mediations.
Kristin earned her J.D. from UC Davis where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the
Business Law Journal.
 * Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California


MAXWELL A. BLUM

Pronouns: he, him, his Maxwell Blum is a partner in Burke’s Oakland office.  His
practice involves representing public agencies in litigation matters as well as
providing advice on compliance issues and assisting with related transactions. 
Maxwell has worked on litigation cases involving environmental contamination,
inverse condemnation, breach of contract, code enforcement, relocation
assistance, and other issues.  He has also worked as a reviewer for CEB’s
Municipal Law Handbook.  Prior to joining Burke, Maxwell practiced for several
years at an international law firm where he worked on complex commercial
litigation and internal investigations.
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California


MARK J. AUSTIN

Pronouns: he, him, his Mark Austin is a partner at the law firm of Burke,
Williams & Sorensen, LLP, where his practice focuses on public-entity
litigation, real estate litigation, corporate/partnership disputes, land-use and
environmental litigation, and municipal tort defense (including dangerous
condition cases, employment-related torts, and wrongful death matters). Mark has
extensive trial experience, having handled multiple successful jury trials,
bench trials, and arbitrations, and has successfully argued before the
California Court of Appeal over a dozen times. Mark began his career
representing public entities on both litigation and transactional matters,
including real-estate transactions and disputes, constitutional claims, complex
land-use matters, employment disputes, and tort claims. Since that time, Mark
has expanded his practice to include commercial disputes on behalf of businesses
and developers of all sizes, private real-estate litigation, and environmental
litigation.  In his several years of practice, Mark’s clients have included
residential and commercial developers, nationally recognized private companies,
cities, counties, small businesses, and private homeowners. His focus on real
estate litigation has given him substantial insights into drafting pitfalls,
disclosure requirements, and judicial interpretations of written agreements. Mr.
Austin has acted as deputy city attorney for several cities, and in 2015 he
acted as the Interim City Attorney for the City of Calexico. He has represented
the City of Anaheim, the City of Irvine, the City of Dana Point, the City of
Torrance, and the City of Vernon, among several others, on multiple high-profile
matters and cases.

PUBLISHED CASES

 * Oxford Preparatory Academy v. Edlighten Learning Solutions (2019) 34
   Cal.App.5th 605 (enforceability of contractual arbitration agreement)
 * City of Cerritos v. Cerritos Taxpayers Assoc., et al. (2010) 183 Cal.App.4th
   1417 (complex validation action concerning purchase and development of
   senior-housing project)
 * In re County of Monterey Initiative Matter (N.D. Cal. 2006) 427 Fed.Supp.2d
   958 (voting rights case)
 * City of Long Beach v. Department of Industrial Relations (2004) 34 Call.4th
   942 (amicus; prevailing wage issue)

 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * Orange County Bar Association


EDWARD L. SHAFFER

Pronouns: he, him, his A former professional city planner, Ed Shaffer excels in
achieving positive outcomes for environmental, land use, and real estate law
clients. He manages regulatory practices and resolves objections by interested
parties such as applicants, neighbor groups, agency staff and decision makers.
Ed represents real estate developers, commercial and industrial property owners,
and public agencies.  He is well versed in EIRs, development agreements and
vested rights, general plans and zoning, use permits and subdivision matters. A
major aspect of his practice involves guiding projects through the complex
requirements of CEQA environmental review and development approval. In the
process, Ed is able to strengthen the defensibility of approvals at risk of
litigation. His prior career as a city planner and planning consultant gives him
special insight into the priorities of public officials and the best path to
achieving approvals that satisfy all parties. Ed is known for his attention to
detail without losing sight of the client’s overall goals, whether spotting
serious errors in an EIR, negotiating key terms of a contract, or making sure
approval conditions are workable. Ed works with both buyers and sellers
negotiating complex real estate options and purchase agreements, performing due
diligence for the transactions, clearing title issues and helping close the
deal. He also handles property rights matters, resolving and documenting
easements and related issues. Ed is active in the East Bay Leadership Council,
an advocacy organization promoting the economic vitality and quality of life in
Contra Costa County, the Bay Area, and the state, and for many years he served
as Co-Chair of the Council’s Land Use Task Force and currently sits on the Board
of Directors. These efforts involve close interaction with public officials at
local, regional and state levels of government as well as key business leaders.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California

 * American Planning Association
 * East Bay Leadership Council, Former Co-Chair of Land Use Task Force, Board of
   Directors, former Chief Legal Counsel
 * Contra Costa Bar Association, Chair, “Food from the Bar” Committee (Annual
   fundraiser for Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano)


GERALD J. RAMIZA

Pronouns: he, him, his Jerry Ramiza's practice emphasizes real estate
transactional, land use, and public/private partnership development matters.
Real Estate/Land Use/Public-Private Partnerships Jerry represents private
clients and public agencies throughout California in connection with complex
real estate and land use matters and transactions.  Jerry’s work includes
forward planning, assisting with development, land use, entitlement, design
review, and permitting processes, environmental review, and CEQA/NEPA
compliance. He routinely handles negotiation and documentation of purchase,
sale, easement, lease and financing transactions; asset management (including
loan administration, property management and landlord/tenant matters);
negotiation and drafting of complex development agreements; foreclosures; public
trust and tidelands transactions; surplus lands dispositions; workouts and
secured transactions; and ancillary matters such as title insurance review, due
diligence, environmental risk allocation and hazardous materials/ Brownfields
matters.  With over 15 years of experience in the redevelopment arena, Jerry is
assisting successor agencies throughout the state in the implementation of the
redevelopment dissolution act, ABx1 26.  He also advises public agency clients
in connection with the ferry-system transactions, affordable housing, federal
contracting/BRAC process, utilization of federal grants, lease and parking
revenue financing and assessment districts.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California

 * Alameda County Bar Association
 * Urban Land Institute


CHARLES W. REESE

Charles W. Reese’s over thirty-five years of legal practice include significant
litigation experience at both the trial and appellate levels on behalf of both
local public entities and private businesses.  He has been actively involved
with regulatory compliance and cost recovery litigation at many environmentally
contaminated sites throughout the western United States, and with numerous
transactions involving the acquisition, sale, and environmental regulation of
businesses and real property. Chuck’s background includes litigation and
transactional experience in the mining, engineering, chemical, and construction
industries and in representing public entities.  He is experienced with
compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and with air, water,
and hazardous substance regulations.  He has successfully represented major
corporations and numerous public entities in significant cases at both the state
and federal trial and appellate levels. In addition, Chuck is an experienced
negotiator and advisor for both public and private entities.  He has served on
the board of directors of several national environmental engineering and
manufacturing corporations.  Chuck was the President and CEO of Wulfsberg Reese
& Colvig prior to its merger with Burke.
 * Construction Law
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of the United States
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Forum Committee on the Construction Industry
 * American Bar Association, Sections on Construction Industry, Business Law,
   Environment, Energy and Resources, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law, and
   Taxation
 * Bar Association of San Francisco
 * Alameda County Bar Association


RICHARD J. REYNOLDS

Rick Reynolds practices primarily in the areas of real estate and financial
services litigation, business litigation, transactional real estate, lending
law, and bankruptcy law on behalf of clients in California, Nevada, and
Arizona.  He practices in the State, Federal, and Bankruptcy Courts, as well as
the Courts of Appeal.  His experience includes the purchase and sale of real
property and businesses, secured transactions, asset purchases and sales in
Bankruptcy, receiverships, partition, easement and boundary disputes, contract
and business tort litigation, and foreclosure-related litigation. The national
directory of attorneys Martindale-Hubbell has awarded Rick its AV Preeminent
rating, indicating that peers rank him at the highest level of professional
excellence.
 * Financial Institutions and Bankruptcy
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of Arizona
 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of Nevada
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the District of Arizona
 * United States District Court for the District of Nevada
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * American Bankruptcy Institute
 * Orange County Bankruptcy Forum
 * Orange County Bar Association - Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section
 * Orange County Bar Association - Real Estate Law Section


RACHEL H. RICHMAN

Pronouns: she, her, hers Rachel has proudly provided city attorney and general
counsel services to public agencies throughout California for over 20 years.
Rachel serves as the City Attorney for the City of Camarillo, City of Delano,
and the City of Rosemead. She is the former City Attorney to the City of Arvin
(2008-2013), and former Legal Counsel to the Santa Clarita Manufactured Home
Rent Control Panel (2006-2017). She also served as the Assistant City Attorney
for the Cities of Alhambra and Santa Clarita for several years. Rachel has
extensive experience providing legal and practical advice to city councils,
agency boards, city managers, department heads, and staff on a broad range of
issues including planning and zoning, CEQA, conflicts of interest, open meeting
laws, public contracting, prevailing wages,  public records, first amendment
issues, code enforcement, elections, ADA and mobile home regulations.  She
drafts opinions, ordinances, resolutions, and negotiates and drafts agreements. 
She attends as legal counsel, city council meetings, planning commission
meetings, and mobile home rent control panel meetings. Rachel is experienced
working on behalf of cities with developers on commercial, residential, and
mixed use projects.  She has negotiated and drafted development agreements,
exclusive negotiating agreements, owner participation and disposition and
development agreements, and affordable housing agreements.  She has worked on
general plan updates, specific plans and amendments, first time home buyer
agreements, façade improvement agreements, and reviewing and advising on CEQA
documents. Rachel handles various aspects of labor and employment matters. 
These matters include responding to DFEH complaints, discipline and grievance
matters, drafting personnel policies and for labor negotiations. Rachel
regularly handles issues related to public works construction projects,
including development of notices inviting bids, to reviewing bids and
recommendation of award, she has dealt with challenges to the low bidder as well
as advising on dealing with construction delays, stop notices, liquidated
damages issues and prevailing wage issues. Rachel also has experience in eminent
domain on behalf of cities, agencies, and for the Alameda Corridor-East
Construction Authority involving pre-condemnation activities, initiation of
condemnation actions, and drafting and negotiating settlement agreements.  She
is also cognizant of the public concerns that exist with the use of eminent
domain. Rachel provides training on ethics, municipal governance ADA inclusion
requirements and transparency laws to firm clients as well as providing
presentations at various municipal conferences.  Rachel was Chair of the
League's FPPC Committee from 2016-2018. While at law school, Rachel was a member
of Loyola's Moot Court Honors Board and received "Top Ten Brief" recognition. 
She was on the National Moot Court team and winner of the Regional National Moot
Court competition.  During law school she was a law clerk for the Community
Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Counsel's Public
Works Department. In her approach to working with legislative bodies, staff and
others to achieve their goals which can often be full of challenges she ascribes
to the following perspective: “There are no shortcuts to any place worth
going.”  (Beverly Sills)
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * City Attorneys Association of Los Angeles County
 * League of California Cities City Attorney's Department Fair Political
   Practices Commission Committee
 * League of California Cities, Fair Political Practices Committee Chair
   2016-2017
 * Los Angeles County Bar Association - Government Law Section


STEVEN D. ROLAND

Pronouns: he, him, his Steve Roland is active in the handling of real estate
litigation involving purchase and sale, leaseholds, secured transactions,
land-use and entitlement litigation, eminent domain, inverse condemnation, title
issues, CC&R’s and joint venture and partnership disputes.  Steve has
represented Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, developers, public
entities, landlords, tenants, retailers, owner-managers and brokers in matters
involving shopping centers, urban and suburban mixed-use projects, condominium
developments, office and apartment towers, business parks, industrial
properties, master planned communities, hotel and resort projects, and mining
projects.  Steve’s practice also encompasses commercial matters, including
unfair competition, trade secret, licensing, partnership and contract issues.
Steve has extensive jury trial, court trial and arbitration experience and has
regularly appeared before administrative agencies including planning
commissions, city councils and administrative appeals boards. Steve’s work has
involved properties and transactions in numerous states and in England, Canada,
Norway and Australia. In addition to practicing in the federal and state courts
of California, Steve has been admitted to practice pro hac vice or otherwise
provided counsel in matters in Florida, Colorado, Texas, New Jersey, Nevada,
Oregon, Hawaii, Washington and Delaware. Steve commenced private practice
following clerkships with the California Supreme Court, Honorable Frank
Richardson, and the San Francisco Superior Court, Honorable Ira Brown.  He has
served as an arbitrator and settlement panelist for the San Francisco Superior
Court and as an expert witness on matters pertaining to the standard of care of
counsel in commercial litigation.
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California


DAVID A. ROSENTHAL

Pronouns: he, him, his David Rosenthal practices in the areas of general
business and commercial, securities, technology, corporate, partnership, limited
liability company, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, public entity, and
construction law.  He has also drafted and negotiated numerous construction
industry contracts, including construction, construction management, and design,
for public, private, and non-profit owners, architects, engineers, and
consultants.  David previously practiced with a San Francisco law firm
specializing in commercial leasing and lending, as well as general corporate and
public and private securities issuance.  He is admitted to practice in
California. When not working, he spends his time taste-testing local ethnic
foods and hiking.
 * Construction Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California

 * American Bar Association
 * The Bar Association of San Francisco
 * Alameda County Bar Association


DEEPA SHARMA

Pronouns: she, her, hers Deepa Sharma provides litigation and advisory services
to public agency clients throughout California. Deepa has extensive experience
advising clients and litigating in the areas of land use, planning and zoning,
inverse condemnation, CEQA, municipal taxation, elections, and constitutional
law issues such as due process, equal protection, and the First Amendment.  She
is also experienced in advising public agency clients on rent stabilization
issues, and the implementation of California’s new housing laws. While in law
school, Deepa served as a law clerk in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s
Federal Transit Administration (FTA), which oversees federal grants to state and
local transit providers.  She interned at the State of California’s Office of
Legislative Counsel, where she assisted in drafting legislation in the areas of
energy, environmental, transportation, and education law.  Deepa also served as
a judicial extern to the Honorable Maria P. Rivera of the California Court of
Appeal, and was a staff editor and executive board member for the
Hastings Constitutional Law Quarterly. Before law school, Deepa served as a
policy aide in the California State Legislature, and worked as a political
consultant to various local and statewide campaigns.
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California

 * California League of Cities Succession and Development Committee


EDITH SANCHEZ SHEA

Edith Shea is a partner with the firm and a member of the Litigation Practice
Group.  An experienced civil litigator, she has represented public and private
clients in state and federal actions and appeals for more than twenty-five
years.  Edith maintains a varied litigation practice and has handled matters in
the areas of business litigation, bad faith insurance law, construction,
employment and international trade.  She has also represented clients in both
complex and class actions.  Prior to entering the private sector, Edith was a
Trial Attorney with the United States Department of Justice.  She tried cases to
verdict before the United States Court of International Trade and otherwise
represented the United States before that court and before the Federal Circuit
Court of Appeals.  She has also tried cases to verdict on behalf of corporate
clients, before the United States District Courts and before the Superior Court
for the State of California.  She has also handled multiple appeals before both
the California Court of Appeal and the Ninth Circuit and she has drafted a
responsive brief on a writ petition before the United States Supreme Court. 
Additionally, Edith has successfully resolved numerous matters through
dispositive motions and has proven skills in managing discovery and litigation
in complex actions.  She has extensive experience negotiating for clients in
mediations and settlement conferences and has demonstrated her commitment to the
efficient resolution of disputes by serving as a Mediator and an Alternative
Dispute Resolution Neutral for the Los Angeles Superior Court.  In connection
with this work, she completed training on Mediating the Litigated Case at the
Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law.
Edith is fluent in Spanish.
 * Construction Law
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of New York
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Alternative Dispute Resolution Neutral, Los Angeles Superior Court, 2005-2007


ANNA C. SHIMKO

Pronouns: she, her, hers Anna Shimko is Chair of Burke's Real Estate and
Business Practice Group.  She focuses her practice on all areas of land use,
real estate development, and environmental law, representing both public
agencies and private landowners and developers in administrative and court
proceedings to bring projects to fruition.  Anna has particular expertise in
compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  She works closely with project proponents,
public agencies, and environmental consultants on preparing and defending CEQA
and NEPA documents such as negative declarations, environmental impact reports
(EIRs), and environmental impact statements (EISs), including for complex
projects such as water rights transfers, multi-phased mixed-use projects and
large campus master plans.  Anna helps private clients through all stages of the
land use approval process, obtaining entitlements to build or expand large
shopping centers, stand-alone retail stores, mixed-use projects, hospitals,
hotels and resorts, golf courses, residential developments, and quarries, among
others.  She also assists cities, counties, special districts, and state
agencies in regulating land and development, negotiating real estate
transactional documents and development agreements, and updating general plans,
specific plans, and zoning codes.  Anna represents clients in matters involving 
the Subdivision Map Act, annexation, historic resources, public-private
partnership transactions and financing mechanisms, the Coastal Act, air quality
regulations, water supply, climate change regulations, transportation planning,
eminent domain, and inverse condemnation.  Anna litigates land use, CEQA, and
NEPA matters for public and private clients at trial court and appellate court
levels, and serves as an expert witness throughout California in cases involving
land use development issues.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California

 * Secretary/Librarian, Land Use and Environment Committee, American College of
   Real Estate Lawyers
 * President, Harbor Equity Group, Waldo Point Harbor, April 2015 – present
 * Member, Board of Trustees, Marin Montessori School, 2023 - present
 * Campus Planning Committee, Marin Montessori School, 2015 – present
 * Advisory Council and Board of Directors, San Francisco Planning and Urban
   Research Association, 2003-2014
 * California Building Industry Association/California Business Properties
   Association, CEQA Reform Task Force, 1992-present
 * Treasure Island/Yerba Buena Island Citizens Advisory Board, 2001-2004
 * San Francisco Juvenile Probation Commission, 1996-2000
 * Vice President, Associated Students of UC Davis, 1981
 * City of Davis Ad Hoc Committee to Update the Housing Element, 1982


KEVIN D. SIEGEL

Pronouns: he, him, his Kevin represents cities and other local agencies
regarding a wide range of public law matters, including land use and planning,
CEQA and environmental law, inverse condemnation and eminent domain, open
meeting and public records, taxes and assessments, elections and initiatives,
contracts and torts, and due process and other issues of constitutional law. 
Kevin provides litigation as well as advisory services. Kevin joined Burke,
Williams & Sorensen in August 2012.  Prior to joining Burke, Kevin was a Deputy
City Attorney for the City of Oakland, where he specialized in writs and
appeals.  Previously, Kevin was a shareholder at McDonough Holland & Allen,
where he litigated cases for public agencies across the State, and a Legal
Research Attorney for the San Francisco Superior Court, where he advised judges
regarding complex litigation. Kevin endeavors to reach positive outcomes for his
clients, without litigation.  But when litigation is necessary, Kevin zealously
pursues successful outcomes in court.
 * Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Courts for the Central, Eastern and Northern Districts
   of California


CHARLES E. SLYNGSTAD

Pronouns: he, him, his Charlie Slyngstad focuses his public law and private
client law practice relationships between employers and employees, businesses
and contracting parties, and lawyers and clients.  He has experience as lead
trial counsel in cases that included allegations of fraud, real estate fraud,
employee whistleblowing and retaliation, race discrimination, the False Claims
Act, conflicts of interest, employee pension and welfare benefits, wrongful
termination, legal malpractice, malicious prosecution, alter ego, breach of
fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and breach of joint venture and purchase
agreements.  He also has handled many appeals, for both public and private
clients. Labor and Employment Law Charlie has represented private and public
employers in employment matters, providing preventive counseling and litigation
defense against various legal theories.  His representation has involved
different industries, including health care, transportation, travel,
entertainment, employee benefits, apparel, real estate, and housing.  He has
advised the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles since 2006, for which
he has successfully prosecuted former employees and others who misused federal
funds provided to the agency. In several lengthy employment jury trials in Los
Angeles Superior Court, Charlie was lead counsel for his client in reaching
verdicts on whistleblower retaliation claims.  He served as the primary attorney
for a national employee benefits firm in a Department of Labor lead enforcement
case in the United States District Court for the Central District of
California.  His class action experience has included serving as appointed class
counsel on behalf of Plaintiff and Defendant classes. Litigation Charlie is
certified as a specialist in Legal Malpractice Law by the Board of Legal
Specialization of the State Bar of California, a subject area that includes the
prosecution and defense of lawyers in professional liability disputes, conflicts
of interest, ethics, malicious prosecution, and anti-SLAPP motions.  In addition
to matters involving lawyers and clients, he also has handled many complex
business litigation cases for private companies, and claims for and against qui
tam plaintiffs and others under the federal and state False Claims Acts in the
healthcare, defense, entertainment, and housing industries.  Additional cases
have included a wide variety of other torts, including accounting malpractice,
securities fraud and multiple fraudulent Ponzi schemes, violations of Business &
Professions Code section 17200, creditors’ claims, false advertising, real
estate transactions, bank fraud, and trademarks and trade names.  He has taken
to trial more than 35 such cases in California courts, including federal courts.
Real Estate and Business Law Charlie, in association with bankruptcy counsel,
advised Victor Valley Community Hospital as special corporate and litigation
counsel in connection with obtaining the consent of the California Attorney
General to sell all of its assets and thereafter confirming its Chapter 11 Plan
of Liquidation.  He has acted as outside counsel and provided advice to a number
of businesses, including other health care enterprises, closely-held companies,
and sole proprietorships.  Charlie currently acts as outside general counsel for
the Odd Fellows Home of California, which owns and operates two large retirement
communities in Napa and Saratoga, a role he also performed for Victor Valley
Community Hospital from 1995-2011.  He has assisted court-appointed receivers in
workouts and liquidations of businesses under court supervision.  Charlie has
also worked on multiple legal issues and litigation matters for the Housing
Authority of the City of Los Angeles since 2006 and for the Housing Authority of
the City of Glendale.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Intellectual Property
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of the United States
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * American Bar Association
 * ABA Center for Professional Responsibility
 * Theatre Forty, Beverly Hills, Board of Directors, 2003-2007


ALAN A. SOZIO

Pronouns: he, him, his A recognized figure in his field of eminent domain, Alan
Sozio has played a lead role in numerous multi-parcel property acquisition
projects throughout California.  In addition to providing eminent domain legal
services to numerous cities, special districts and housing authorities, Alan has
since 2001 served as special acquisition counsel for the Alameda Corridor-East
Construction Authority in property acquisitions spanning more than 11 grade
separation projects in the San Gabriel Valley.  He is the co-author of the
seminal practice guide used by public agency practitioners entitled “Eminent
Domain: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Acquisition of Real Property,” and is the
author of the popular eminent domain blog, “Right to Take | Doing it the Right
(of) Way—Recommended Steps for the Acquisition of Real Property by Eminent
Domain.” He is active in the eminent domain legal community where he is a
frequent speaker and author on topics related to condemnation. Alan counsels
public clients on early considerations and pre-acquisition activities necessary
to the condemnation process.  He litigates eminent domain and inverse
condemnation actions and, when necessary, takes the matters through trial.  Alan
also drafts transactional documents, including purchase and sale agreements,
right-of-entry agreements and leases, and provides advice regarding state and
federal relocation assistance.  He has appeared in both open and closed session
with city councils, agency boards and other legislative bodies to speak on
matters related to the acquisition of property and the condemnation process. In
addition to eminent domain actions, Alan litigates matters involving physical
and regulatory takings, contractual and boundary disputes, quiet title, unlawful
detainer matters, land use and real estate issues. In 2005, Alan successfully
completed the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Trial Advocacy Program. 
Thereafter, on a pro bono basis, Alan prosecuted to verdict criminal cases, and
obtained favorable bench rulings in evidentiary trials, for the cities of
Anaheim and Inglewood. Alan is a Brown Belt in the Israeli self-defense system
of Krav Maga, and is a former "AA" rated competitive beach volleyball player. 
When not at the office, he enjoys surfing, skiing, and relaxing with his family
on the beach.
 * Eminent Domain
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * International Right of Way Association
 * Los Angeles County Bar Association
 * State Bar of California Real Property Section, Inverse Condemnation/Eminent
   Domain Subsection (South)


BENJAMIN L. STOCK

Pronouns: he, him, his Benjamin Stock is an accomplished litigator in both state
and federal courts.  His litigation and transactional practice emphasizes
municipal law, eminent domain, land use, and inverse condemnation. 
Additionally, Ben serves as Town Attorney for both Ross and Tiburon, City
Attorney for the cities of Benicia and Foster City, and General Counsel for
Sanitary District Number 5 and Sausalito-Marin City Sanitary District. With
regard to his eminent domain practice, Ben plays a key role in public clients'
property acquisition activities.  He counsels public clients on early
considerations and pre-acquisition activities necessary to the condemnation
process.  He also litigates condemnation actions, negotiates settlements and,
when necessary, takes the matters through trial.  Additionally, Ben drafts
transactional documents related to the acquisition of property through eminent
domain.  He is currently assisting multiple public entities with their
condemnation needs throughout the state.  Ben has spoken at numerous conferences
on issues involving eminent domain. In addition to eminent domain, Ben has
extensive experience representing public entities in litigation at both the
trial court and appellate court levels.  His areas of specialization include
inverse condemnation and land use, CEQA, breach of contract, environmental law,
and dangerous conditions public liability.
 * Eminent Domain
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * League of California Cities, Legal Advocacy Committee
 * League of California Cities, City Attorney’s Department Municipal Handbook
   Committee


KATY A. SUTTORP, AWI-CH

Pronouns: she, her, hers Katy Suttorp, a partner in the Orange County office of
Burke, Williams and Sorensen, LLP, represents and counsels a wide range of
employers, including municipalities, special districts, school districts,
community college districts, and private entities, in numerous labor and
employment law matters.  These include disability accommodation and interactive
process, employee discipline and due process, leaves and benefits, state and
federal wage and hour audits and disputes, wrongful termination, workplace
investigations, Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights Act/Public Safety
Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act, employee speech and privacy, workplace
violence, pre-employment and privacy issues, including drug and alcohol testing,
HIPAA/California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act, and CalPERS and
CalSTRS audits and disputes.  In connection with that representation, Katy has
drafted and revised a variety of personnel rules and employee handbooks,
personnel-related ordinances and resolutions, board policies and administrative
regulations, collective bargaining agreements/memoranda of understanding, and
employer-employee resolutions/local rules. To further educate clients regarding
many of these issues, Katy has developed in-depth, customized training focused
on clients’ particular problems and areas of concern, including interactive
process and reasonable accommodation, discipline and due process, performance
evaluations, and prevention of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and
abusive conduct. Katy also provides advice and representation for a variety of
labor matters, including acting as lead negotiator, representing agencies in
proceedings before PERB, and providing workplace training addressing challenges
in supervising represented employees. During law school, Katy clerked at the
U.C. Davis office of the Campus Counsel and served as a summer extern for the
Honorable Gary A. Feess, a judge of the United States District Court for the
Central District of California.  She also served as editor-in-chief of the
environmental law and policy journal, Environs.  In recent years, Katy completed
a two-year appointment to the Program Review Committee for the American Inns of
Court.
 * Education Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Litigation
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * Association of Workplace Investigators Certificate Holder


ALBERT TONG

Pronouns: he, him, his Albert Tong has represented private and publicly-traded
companies in a broad range of complex civil litigation matters, including
insurance and reinsurance, securities, employment, intellectual property,
antitrust, Proposition 65, and franchise disputes.  He has extensive experience
in pre-trial, trial, and appellate advocacy, and arbitrations and mediations.
 * Eminent Domain
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation
 * Intellectual Property
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California


BRIAN A. PIERIK

Pronouns: he, him, his Education and Employment Brian Pierik received his
Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Loyola University in Los
Angeles and his Juris Doctor degree from Loyola School of Law. Public Law Brian
is the City Attorney for the City of Carmel by-the-Sea and the City of Pacific
Grove. He is Legal Counsel for the San Luis Obispo Local Agency Formation
Commission. Brian has also served as special counsel to over 40 public agencies
in California in a wide range of matters including:  Brown Act, Public Records
Act, conflicts of interest, land use, property transactions (sales, purchases,
leases, easements, licenses), LAFCO, annexations, drafting ordinances,
resolutions and contracts, AB 1234 training, elections, transportation; public
works, airport issues, civil rights, planning, environmental, growth control,
administrative law, tort and other liability, employment law, litigation,
appeals, eminent domain, inverse condemnation, land movement, and many other
public law matters. Brian has written and presented papers before the City
Attorneys Department of the League of California Cities, City Attorneys’
Association of Los Angeles County, California Specialized Training Institute,
Public Works Officers Institute, City Clerk’s Department of the League of
California Cities, and Southern California Water Utilities Association.
Litigation Experience Brian has successfully represented many public agencies
throughout California in litigation in both the trial courts and appellate
courts.  Representative cases include: Land Use:  City of Goleta v. Superior
Court, 40 Cal. 4th 270 (2006).  The California Supreme Court ruled in favor of
the City finding that a newly incorporated City has the authority to deny the
Final Map. Land Use:  Gong v. City of Rosemead, 226 Cal. App. 4th 363 (2014). 
This is an important case for public agencies with regard to many issues
including the discussion on Government Code Section 815.3, the Government Code
claims requirement, judicial notice, and the immunity provisions of Government
Code Section 818.4. Brown Act:  Taxpayers for Livable Communities v. City of
Malibu, 126 Cal. App. 4th 1123 (2005).  Brian successfully represented the City
at trial of this Brown Act case. CEQA:  SCOPE v. City of Santa Clarita, 197 Cal.
App. 4th 1042 (2011).  Brian represented the City at the trial on the Petition
for Writ of Mandate.  The trial court ruled in favor of the City and the
judgment was affirmed on appeal. CEQA:  Save Atascadero v. City of Atascadero,
2014 WL 3105199 (July 8, 2014). Petition for Writ of Mandate challenging the
City of Atascadero’s approval of the Del Rio Commercial Specific Plan.  The
trial court ruled in favor of the City which was sustained on appeal. CEQA: 
SCOPE v. City of Santa Clarita; Vista Canyon Ranch, 2014 WL 7204118 (2014). 
Petition for Writ of Mandate alleging CEQA violations by the City on a 185 acre
residential and commercial project.  The trial court ruled in favor of the
Petitioner.  On appeal, the Court of Appeal reversed the trial court decision
and ruled in favor of the City. Election Contest:  Tran v. City of Rosemead,
LASC Case No. GS 011559 (June 2009).  Petition for Writ of Mandate in which
Brian successfully represented the City at trial.  Former Mayor John Tran
alleged the City wrongfully rejected absentee ballots on the basis of signatures
which did not match the voter registration signature. Eminent Domain:  City of
Santa Clarita v. NTS Systems, 137 Cal. App. 4th 264 (2006).  Eminent domain case
to acquire property for the construction of a major arterial road in the City. 
Brian was trial counsel for the City of Santa Clarita.  The trial court ruled in
favor of the City and the judgment was affirmed on appeal. Public Works  Brian
has substantial experience in all phases public works, examples include:
Springfield Interchange:  Completed in 2012 on time and within budget, the
Springville Interchange was constructed on U.S. 101 in the City of Camarillo at
a cost $40 million.  Brian assisted with many phases of the Springville
Interchange Project including review of bid documents and advice on construction
issues. Camarillo Library:  Opened in 2007, this new Library project came in on
time and within budget, replacing the former library, and at 65,621 square feet
is one of the best libraries in the State of California.  Brian assisted with
site acquisition, annexation issues with LAFCO, grant funding, and construction
issues on this $28 million project. Atascadero City Hall Project:  Brian was
involved in providing legal advice to the City of Atascadero on a major
reconstruction project of the Atascadero Historic City Hall with a project cost
of $33 million.  The project was completed in 2015 on time and within budget.
Water Desalinization Plant:  This City of Camarillo project began construction
in 2019 and will be completed in 2021 at a cost of approximately $50 million.
 The Plant will treat groundwater that is high in salt content in order to
provide potable water for the community.  Brian has assisted in all phases of
this project including site acquisition, annexation issues with LAFCO, drafting
of bid documents and contracts and construction issues. City of Santa Clarita
Bridge and Roadway Projects:  Brian has advised the City of Santa Clarita on
numerous major bridge and roadway projects including advice on preparation of
bid documents, review and analysis of bids, evaluation of bid protests,
construction management issues, surety issues, liquidated damages, stop notices,
change orders, extra work and delay claims and arbitration. Real Estate Brian
has extensive experience in real property transactions, examples include: Sale
of City Property for Hotel Conference Center:  A $70 million project; Brian
assisted with the sale of 12 acres to the developer and the contracts for public
improvements. Sale of Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Property:  The
District owns 13 acres in the City of Simi Valley that was utilized for District
offices and other purposes.  Brian assisted the District with sale of property
for $21 million. Purchase:  Alamos Canyon, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park
District.  Brian assisted Park District with the acquisition of 326 acres in
Alamos Canyon for open space including 55 acres of sensitive habitat. Sale: 
Former Camarillo Library. Brian has assisted City staff with the potential reuse
of the former library and a proposed sale to a non-profit to construct and
operate a children’s museum at the site. Purchase:  Guardian Building, Rancho
Simi Recreation and Park District.  Brian assisted the District with purchase of
a building on Guardian in the City of Simi Valley for $9 million as the new site
for District Administrative Offices, recreational facilities and maintenance
facilities.
 * Construction Law
 * Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California


ELIZABETH M. PAPPY

Pronouns: she, her, hers Elizabeth Pappy has more than 31 years’ experience as a
litigator in State and Federal Courts and Arbitration.  Her practice focuses on
representation of businesses in a wide variety of legal disputes, and advice and
counsel.  Her clients include businesses and individuals of all sizes and types,
including the construction industry, temporary service agencies, recyclers, gas
station operators, and high tech companies.  Elizabeth’s background as a
bankruptcy attorney gives her the advantage of being able to counsel creditors
on debtor-creditor rights issues and bankruptcy matters as well as litigate in
Bankruptcy Court. She has particular expertise in successfully handling
difficult disputes between family members and matters involving highly emotional
and sensitive issues, including probate, palimony and business issues arising in
divorce actions.  Elizabeth’s personal attention and acuity to the needs of her
clients within the context of the litigation system have brought her clients'
satisfactory results under what are otherwise very unsatisfactory circumstances.
In the past 10 years, Elizabeth’s work for business clients has included defense
of ADA-construction barrier claims and housing discrimination claims, including
a successful trial where the plaintiff sought a $200,000 modification to client
premises.  She successfully tried the case to a defense verdict and which was
upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal.
 * Construction Law
 * Family Law & Trusts and Probate
 * Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern Northern of California

 * Unity Care Group, Inc., Board of Directors
 * National Association of Women Lawyers
 * Santa Clara County Bar Association, Judiciary Committee
 * National Association of Women in Construction, Santa Clara Chapter


NATHAN A. OYSTER

Pronouns: he, him, his Nathan Oyster’s practice at Burke focuses on two main
areas:  He defends law enforcement officers and local governments in civil
rights litigation, and he provides guidance to law enforcement agencies on the
implementation of policies that reduce the likelihood of litigation. Nathan’s
litigation experience is extensive; in the past three years, he has represented
 15 different law enforcement agencies throughout the state in civil
litigation.  He has tried cases in both state and federal court, with his first
jury trial coming at age 24 and his most recent defense verdict occurring in
March 2023.  He has also argued before both the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
and the California Court of Appeal.  Nathan has defended nearly every type of
litigation that a law enforcement agency could face, including officer-involved
shootings, deaths due to excited delirium, class action litigation, malicious
prosecution claims, allegations of excessive force, and allegations of
unconstitutional jail conditions.  He is adept at defending litigation brought
under Section 1983, the Unruh Act, the Ralph Act, and the Bane Act. Nathan also
advises law enforcement agencies throughout the state on a variety of policy
issues.  Representative clients include the cities of Culver City, Long Beach,
Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Rialto
 * Constitutional Law
 * Law Enforcement Defense
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California


NICHOLAS J. MUSCOLINO

Pronouns: he, him, his Nick Muscolino is a partner in the firm’s Oakland
office.  Nick specializes in the legal and procedural defenses available to
public entities under California law.  He has successfully represented public
entities in trial and appellate courts throughout California in disputes
concerning inverse condemnation, preemption, eminent domain, the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), water rights, flood and storm water
diversions, public nuisance, negligence, quiet title, breach of contract, the
Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), the Fair Housing
Act, the Fair Employment and Housing Act, the First Amendment, Section 1983,
preemption, redevelopment dissolution, local land use and zoning, and general
plan consistency. Nick also provides advisory services to cities and other
public entities.  He has served as a deputy or assistant city attorney to
several cities.  In that capacity, he advises on the Brown Act, the Public
Records Act, CEQA, litigation, mobilehome issues, civil rights issues,
affordable housing, and other areas of general municipal law.  Nick drafts the
staff reports, resolutions, ordinances, and agreements (e.g., purchase and sale,
joint powers, loan, disposition and development), that public agencies need to
serve the public.  He also provides opinion letters on the legality of various
housing preferences under state and federal law, and other land use and
zoning-related issues. Nick graduated Order of the Coif from the University of
California, Davis in 2009, where he served as an Executive Editor of the Journal
of Environmental Law and Policy.  After law school, Nick served as a law clerk
to the Honorable Justice Morgan Christen of the Alaska Supreme Court (now of the
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals) in Anchorage before entering private practice at
a large law firm in San Francisco. Nick works closely with clients to understand
their goals and to determine how to achieve their desired outcomes in the most
cost-effective and timely manner.
 * Eminent Domain
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California

 * Contra Costa County Bar Association
 * Bay Area City Attorneys Association
 * League of California Cities


KAREN W. MURPHY

Pronouns: she, her, hers Karen Murphy is a partner in Burke’s Oakland office and
has been representing public agencies for over 20 years.  She currently serves
as the General Counsel of Union Sanitary District, and advises numerous public
agencies on a full range of municipal law issues, including Brown Act, Public
Records Act, conflict of interest laws, public contract code, code enforcement,
contract review, and bidding and claims procedures.  Karen served as the
Assistant City Attorney of the City of Brentwood from 2006 to 2011, where she
was the primary attorney staffing the Community Development Department and
former Redevelopment Agency.  From 1999 to 2006, Karen was an associate with the
law firm of McDonough Holland & Allen, PC Karen also has particular expertise
advising public agencies on land use and development, housing and real estate
issues.  She advises public agencies on CEQA compliance, the subdivision map
act, and land use approval procedures and processing of land use applications
for projects ranging from use permits to complex commercial, mixed-use and
residential projects.  More recently, she has advised cities on the
implementation of California’s new housing laws, including SB 330.  In addition,
Karen has negotiated and drafted development agreements and amendments for
hotel, residential and mixed-use development projects. Karen’s real estate
experience includes drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements,
leases, easements, licenses, and disposition and development agreements.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of Nevada
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California


GREGORY M. MURPHY

Pronouns: he, him, his Gregory Murphy is a trusted advisor, counselor, and
transactional attorney for public entities throughout California.  He currently
serves as City Attorney for the cities of Buellton, Lawndale and Temple City. 
Greg also has over 13 years’ experience serving as Assistant or Deputy City
Attorney to a number of the firm’s municipal clients and legal counsel to the
firm’s joint powers authority and special district clients. Greg regularly
advises elected and appointed officials, navigating delicate issues with
politically-divergent boards. He presents clearly and in real-world terms the
impacts of legal constraints on agency activities. Greg takes time to understand
clients’ long- and short-term goals and how the law affects those objectives,
finding ways to achieve them whenever possible. His focus on crafting legal
advice that is practical, workable, and client-centered creates confidence and
lasting relationships. Experienced in the areas of land use and development, the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), public contract law, prevailing
wage law, purchases and sales of real property, and municipal economic issues,
Greg has advised developers and public contractors as well as public entities.
He attends planning and community development commission meetings and handles
closed-session briefings of legislative bodies. He also advises on a number of
election law issues ranging from charter amendments and ballot designations to
election contests and post-contest litigation.  Greg also engages in litigation
related to land use, tax, contract, and election issues. What I’ve Learned:  Be
creative. If you start a project thinking you can find a way to accomplish it,
you’ll often be right. If you start by thinking you can’t accomplish it, you’ll
always be right.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * California State Bar Association
 * Los Angeles County Bar Association
 * City Attorneys Association of Los Angeles County
 * League of California Cities, former member Municipal Law Handbook Editorial
   Board
 * Municipal Law Institute, former Steering Committee Member


MARK J. MULKERIN

Mark Mulkerin's practice includes litigation and commercial matters for public
and private entities in a wide variety of subject matters. Mark has successfully
represented clients in eminent domain, inverse condemnation, land use, ground
and riparian water matters, public works, construction law and construction
defect actions, business and finance matters, products liability, complex
business and personal tort, and computer and Internet-related litigation. Mark
has successfully defended public entities, developers, and general contractors,
subcontractors, architects, engineers, and other design professionals in
multi-party construction defect actions, as well as in general legal matters. 
He also has successfully represented public entities, businesses, and
individuals both in the defense and prosecution of civil litigation claims. 
Mark has also represented EarthLink Network, Inc. and other commercial
enterprises in computer law, general business, and Internet-related matters.
 * Education Law
 * Eminent Domain
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Orange County Bar Association


JOSEPH M. MONTES

Pronouns: he, him, his Joseph Montes serves as the City Attorney for the cities
of Alhambra, San Marino and Santa Clarita.  In those capacities, Joseph has
provided advice and opinions on issues involving public contracts,
privatization, planning, zoning, redevelopment, elections, employment,
constitutional rights, conflicts of interest, and telecommunications issues.  He
has also assisted public entities with issues concerning the Brown Act, the
Subdivision Map Act, Mello-Roos Community Facilities District and Improvement
Bond Act of 1915 financing, the Government Tort Claims Act, the Public Records
Act, Proposition 218, the Political Reform Act, the California Voting Rights
Act, and CEQA.  He has drafted contracts, resolutions, ordinances, development
agreements, and employee policies. Joseph’s litigation experience has primarily
involved representation of municipal entities in state and federal court.  He
has  been involved in public works contract disputes, code enforcement,
administrative writ proceedings, transient occupancy tax collection actions,
Civil Rights abuse cases, police excessive force cases, California Government
Tort Claims Act matters, assessment district foreclosures, and flood damage
actions. In terms of land use and redevelopment, Joseph’s experience includes
acquisition of land through eminent domain proceedings, negotiations for
redevelopment projects and drafting of owner participation agreements and
development agreements. In law school, Joseph was a staff writer for the Loyola
of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Journal (1992-1993) and the Chief Note and
Comment Editor (1993-1994), and received an American Juris Prudence Book Award
for Trial Advocacy. Joseph ascribes to the philosophy, “Start where you are, use
what you have, do what you can.” (Arthur Ashe).
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * League of California Cities, President City Attorney's Department
 * Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University, Member
   Government Ethics Council
 * City Attorneys Association for Los Angeles County, past President
 * League of California Cities, City Attorneys Department First Vice President
 * League of California Cities, past City Attorneys Department Nominating
   Committee member
 * League of California Cities, past Attorney Development and Succession
   Committee Chair
 * League of California Cities, past Revenue and Taxation Policy Committee
   member
 * League of California Cities, past Legal Advocacy Committee member
 * League of California Cities, past City Attorneys Department Public Records
   Act Committee member


MONICA SANCHEZ MCQUEEN

Pronouns: she, her, hers Monica Sanchez McQueen is a partner in Burke’s Los
Angeles office, representing public and private sector clients in labor and
employment law matters. Monica has represented and advised employers on matters
involving numerous federal and state law claims, including discrimination,
harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, defamation, leaves of absence,
whistleblower violations, freedom of speech, and association, privacy, and wage
and hour, including collective and class action suits.  In addition, Monica’s
practice includes representation of public employers in areas unique to public
employment such as due process, disciplinary procedures, the Meyers-Milias-Brown
Act, CalPERS, and the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act and
the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights Act. Monica has an extensive
counseling practice, focusing on preventive measures of employment and labor
law.  In this regard, she has drafted and revised employee handbooks, personnel
rules, personnel ordinances, updated specific policies and advised public
agencies on the handling of a variety of employment matters.  Monica has
developed and led comprehensive wage and hour audits analyzing City-wide
practices of a broad range of job positions and industries and recommended
changes to policies, procedures and collective bargaining agreements to ensure
compliance with all aspects of state and federal wage and hour laws.  Monica has
evaluated and responded to CalPERS’ comprehensive pension audit findings of
City-wide compensation and reporting practices and developed and implemented
policies and procedures to ensure future compliance with CalPERS' rules and
regulations. Monica has represented public agencies in all aspects of labor and
has identified issues to bargain, recommended, drafted and responded to
proposals,   advised lead negotiators and members of bargaining teams, has acted
as negotiator for police, fire and miscellaneous unions during labor
negotiations, and drafted and oversaw implementation of labor agreements.  In
addition to labor negotiations, Monica has extensive experience in handling
related labor relations matters, such as grievances, PERB proceedings including
unfair practices, unit recognition, unit modification, elections, and unit
decertification.  Monica has negotiated and drafted employment contracts for
high-level employees.  She also conducts a variety of workplace trainings for
managers and employees on matters such as the prevention of discrimination and
harassment, workplace violence and working in the public sector. While attending
the University of California, Los Angeles, Monica interned at the United States
Department of Education, in the Office of the Secretary, in Washington D.C. 
While in law school, she was a member of the San Diego Law Review.  She was also
the secretary for Phi Delta Phi, a legal honor fraternity, and the Secretary for
the Hispanic National Bar Association, Law Student Division.  Monica studied at
the University of San Diego Institute of International and Comparative Law in
Barcelona, Spain and Oxford, England.
 * Education Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Litigation
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California


JOHN E. MCOSKER

Pronouns: he, him, his John McOsker has been a complex business litigator, and
labor and employment litigator and day-to-day employer advisor since he joined
the State Bar of California in 1993. Throughout his career he has served in
various roles for the firms with which he was affiliated including managing
partner, litigation group chair, business litigation subcommittee chair and
management advisory board. Upon graduation from law school and admission to the
bar, John’s practice has been focused on business litigation and labor and
employment in the private security, healthcare, insurance, and aviation sectors.
John has defended companies in California state and federal courts, various
forms of administrative hearings, agency enforcement actions, and adversarial
proceedings, including in front of the Federal Aviation Administration, the
Small Business Administration, the United States Department of Labor, the
National Labor Relations Board, the California Attorney General, California
Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunities Commission.  John defends employers with regard to single
plaintiff employment claims (Title VII, FEHA), wage and hour class actions, and
PAGA claims. John represents employers in a wide variety of employment-related
matters, including both defense of litigation and day-to-day counseling
regarding employment decisions, employee conflict and liability avoidance, and
legal compliance. John is a member of the LA County Bar Association’s Labor &
Employment Section, which concerns itself with significant developments in
employment discrimination law. John has not only experienced labor and
employment from a lawyer’s perspective, but he has actively and directly managed
legal departments, compliance departments and human resources staffs both
in-house and as a dedicated outside Legal/HR Manager, for over a decade. As a
result, John has not only first-hand experience giving sound labor and
employment advice, but also on-the-ground experience executing legal, compliance
and human resources strategies. Additionally, John assists employers developing
strategies to avoid litigation. This includes working with employers to modify
employment policies and practices, conducting workplace investigations, engaging
in workplace counseling/interactive process, and drafting employee handbooks,
employment agreements, arbitration agreements and severance agreements.  John
assists employers with devising and executing recruiting strategies,
reductions-in-force, onboarding and off-boarding.  John helps employers devise
and roll-out policies that enhance clients’ objectives while complying with the
law. Finally, John has a significant traditional labor law practice, both
transactional and adversarial.  John negotiates and drafts collective bargaining
agreements and memoranda of understanding covering workforces in the service
industries spanning unique and diverse jurisdictions, across the state and
country.  In addition to negotiating and drafting agreements, John defends
grievances, conducts arbitrations, represents clients on Unfair Labor Practice
charges, participates in representation hearings, elections, de-certifications,
and other NLRB proceedings. John’s entire legal career has been spent in and
around Los Angeles and he has volunteered his time and expertise to the local
community. He was appointed by Mayor James K. Hahn to serve on the Harbor Area
Planning Commission and did so from 2001-2006. He served as the Commission’s
President from 2002-2006. In addition to his service on the Area Planning
Commission, he was appointed to membership on the Port Community Advisory
Committee. He has volunteered as a member of the Board of Managers of the San
Pedro Peninsula YMCA since 2005 and has been a legal volunteer for the St.
Lawrence Brindisi/Watts Youth Center since 1995. John is a founding Board Member
of LA Fleet Week, a non-profit established to annually host the United States
Navy for fleet activities in the Los Angeles Harbor beginning 2016.
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * American Bar Association
 * American Healthcare Lawyers Association
 * Defense Research Institute
 * Federal Bar Association
 * Irish American Bar Association
 * Los Angeles County Bar Association
 * Sorin Society


STEPHEN A. MCEWEN

Pronouns: he, him, his Stephen A. McEwen joined Burke in 2003.  Stephen
previously served as City Attorney for Buellton and Laguna Woods and Assistant
City Attorney for the cities of Atascadero, Hemet and Stanton.  In these roles,
Stephen has drafted numerous ordinances and resolutions and has advised cities
on a wide range of legal issues with a special emphasis on the Public Records
Act, the Brown Act, and code enforcement.  Stephen has also utilized his
extensive constitutional law background to advise municipal clients on First
Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment issues. Stephen is responsible for
supervising code enforcement efforts for Burke’s municipal clients.  In this
capacity, he utilizes the full range of code enforcement tools, including
informal office conferences, inspection warrants, administrative hearings, civil
nuisance actions, and misdemeanor prosecutions.  Although his emphasis in this
area is on resolving code violations without the need for judicial intervention,
he has successfully prosecuted numerous code enforcement cases to completion. 
Stephen obtained a guilty verdict from a jury on all counts against a property
owner for maintaining multiple building code and property maintenance
violations.  He obtained guilty verdicts against two defendants for operating an
unpermitted nightclub.  He has also obtained preliminary and permanent
injunctions in multiple code enforcement matters involving zoning violations,
public nuisance conditions, and unpermitted marijuana facilities. In addition to
his code enforcement prosecution experience, Stephen has handled a broad array
of litigation for the firm's municipal and governmental clients, including
disputes involving eminent domain, inverse condemnation, tort liability,
construction defects, construction contract disputes, CEQA, and the Federal
Civil Rights Act.  He served as co-counsel in a successful bench trial regarding
a client's right to take property through eminent domain.  Stephen successfully
defended the City of East Palo Alto in a trial involving alleged Brown Act and
Due Process violations. Stephen advises municipal clients throughout the state
on issues related to medicinal and adult-use marijuana.  He has obtained
numerous preliminary injunctions against unpermitted dispensaries and
successfully defended cities against an array of constitutional and state law
challenges brought by dispensary operators.  In 2012, he authored the League of
California Cities’ amicus brief in City of Riverside v. Inland Empire Patients
Health and Wellness Center, Inc., in which the Supreme Court ruled unanimously
that local governments have zoning authority to prohibit medicinal marijuana
dispensaries within their boundaries.  As a result of this work, Stephen was
appointed in 2014 to the League of California Cities Ad Hoc Cannabis Regulation
Committee.  He also served two terms as the City Attorney Department
representative for the League’s Public Safety Policy Committee from 2014-2015.
After law school graduation, Stephen clerked for Judge Arthur L. Alarcon on the
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  He later served as a
Deputy Attorney General in the Criminal Division of the California Department of
Justice.  As a prosecutor, Stephen represented the state in two successful
trial-level prosecutions, over seventy felony criminal appeals in the California
Court of Appeal, and over eighty habeas corpus proceedings in federal district
court and the Ninth Circuit.  In November 2002, he represented the California
Department of Corrections successfully in an evidentiary hearing in Federal
District Court in a case involving allegations of prosecutorial misconduct
against the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
 * Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California

 * Orange County Bar Association
 * League of California Cities Public Safety Policy Committee, City Attorney
   Department Representative
 * League of California Cities, Ad Hoc Cannabis Regulation Committee


NANCY JERIAN MARR

Nancy Marr brings a national perspective to her ERISA and insurance litigation
practice.  Serving as in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 insurance company on
the East Coast, she managed cases across several circuits.  She previously
practiced with a boutique litigation firm in Los Angeles.  Her current focus is
in litigation involving life, health and disability coverage, ERISA fiduciary
liability, annuity contracts, and bad faith actions. While in law school, Nancy
was a judicial extern for Hon. Dickran Tevrizian, United States District Court,
Central District of California, and a note and comment editor for the Loyola of
Los Angeles International and Comparative Law Journal. Words of wisdom from a
senior partner before a first court appearance, “Remember who your client is and
know your way to the courthouse.”
 * Education Law
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of Maine
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California
 * United States District Court for the District of Maine

 * Defense Research Institute, Life, Health, Disability, ERISA Committee, 2019 -
   2021 Marketing Chair, Annual Meeting Vice-Chair
 * Food Allergy Research and Education
 * Armenian Bar Association
 * National Association for Armenian Studies and Research


DANIEL W. MAGUIRE

Pronouns: he, him, his Dan Maguire is a partner in Burke’s Palm Desert office. 
He counsels life, health, and disability insurers in pre-litigation, coverage,
trial, and appellate matters. Dan represents our clients in individual and group
disability, life, long-term care and investment product disputes.  He is a
frequent speaker on insurance and ERISA matters, and has given presentations at
numerous national conferences including the Defense Research Institute, ALI/ABA,
American Conference Institute, International Disability Insurance Society,
Association of Life Insurance Counsel, and Eastern Claims Conference, for which
he acts as Vice-President.  He is Past Chair of the Health and Disability
Insurance Law Committee of ABA-TIPS.  His pro bono work has included client
representation through Los Angeles Public Counsel, and the Public Service Law
Corporation.  Dan is also a licensed California Real Estate Broker.
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of California
 * Supreme Court of the United States
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Eastern Claims Conference, Vice-President
 * Association of Life Insurance Counsel
 * ABA-TIPS – Health and Disability Insurance Law Committee
 * International Association of Defense Counsel


ERIC S. VAIL

Pronouns: he, him, his Eric S. Vail, a Partner of Burke, Williams & Sorensen,
LLP, is Chair of the firm’s robust Public Law Practice Group and serves on the
firm’s Management Committee.  During his twenty-five-plus years practicing
public law, he has gained invaluable experience representing a variety of public
entities as either general or special counsel, and become fluent in general
municipal law; problem-solving, conflicts of interest and public transparency,
land use, public transactions, transition issues and joint powers authorities. 
Currently, Eric serves as City Attorney for the City of Cathedral City and as
General Counsel to SunLine Transit Agency.  He is also currently serving as
Interim City Attorney for the City of Rialto. Through the years Eric has also
represented a number of other public entities as City Attorney, Interim City
Attorney, Assistant City Attorney, or special counsel, including the City of
Hemet, City of Temple City, City of Rialto, Omnitrans, Orange County Development
Authority, City of Moreno Valley, Riverside Redevelopment Agency, the Housing
Authority for the County of San Bernardino, the Goleta Redevelopment Agency,
Riverside County Education Foundation, and Housing Partners I, Inc., Hemet
Community Land Trust, Port Hueneme Redevelopment Agency, City of Lawndale, City
of Elk Grove, City of Banning, City of Lake Forest, City of Hesperia, City of
Ontario, and the Chaffey Joint Union High School District. Offering practical
legal solutions to organizational problems are Eric’s hallmark.  He has
experience with recall elections, term limits and citizen initiatives.  He has
helped City Councils negotiate and contract with new and outgoing city managers
and other department heads, and has helped navigate difficult retirement,
discipline and dismissal of employees.  In his capacity as City Attorney, Eric
has administered legal resources and overseen cost containment and cost
avoidance programs for his clients and managed legal staffs of up to 30 legal
service providers.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * League of California Cities, Chaired Publication Committee – A Guide for
   Local Agency Counsel; Providing Conflict of Interest Advice
 * League of California Cities, City Attorneys’ Department; Nomination Committee
   Member
 * League of California Cities, Housing, Community & Economic Development
   Committee
 * League of California Cities, City Attorneys' Department FPPC Committee
 * League of California Cities, Chapter Chair, Finance and Economic Development,
   Chapter 5, The California Municipal Law Handbook (2008 – 2009)
 * University of California Riverside Extension Adjunct Professor, Housing &
   Land Use Planning
 * University of California Riverside Extension Adjunct Professor,
   Redevelopment: Current Trends & Practices


ERICA L. VEGA

Pronouns: she, her, hers Erica Vega has dedicated her entire legal career to the
representation of cities and other public agencies across California.  She
serves as City Attorney for the City of Eastvale and General Counsel to West
Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District.  She is also Assistant City
Attorney for the cities of Cathedral City and Wildomar, Assistant Town Attorney
for the Town of Yucca Valley, Deputy City Attorney for the City of Rialto, and
Assistant General Counsel to Sunline Transit Agency.  Erica has worked with
numerous other public agencies in both general and special counsel roles
throughout her 15 years of practice. Erica serves as a trusted advisor to public
agency governing bodies, commissions, and staff on a wide array of legal issues,
including transparency and conflict of interest laws, planning and zoning laws,
housing, first amendment issues, elections, and solid waste laws and
regulations, among others.  She ensures that she delivers advice to clients in a
manner that is understandable and contains practical guidance that can be
readily applied in the real world. In providing advice, Erica focuses on both
legal compliance and risk assessment, understanding that many complex situations
faced by public agencies do not have clear cut answers. Erica has extensive
experience advising cities on land use and environmental issues related to
proposed development projects, including large private development projects and
public infrastructure improvements.  Erica routinely advises public agencies on
CEQA compliance throughout the project processing and approval process.  She has
reviewed CEQA documents for and advised on freeway interchange improvements and
major state highway projects, General and Specific Plans, large commercial and
mixed use developments, university campus expansions, hospitals, and a master
planned development proposing over 1,000 new homes. She has also assisted
agencies in obtaining permits and approvals from the federal, state and regional
environmental regulatory agencies. Erica advises agencies on the conduct of
local elections.  In particular, Erica has extensive experience advising on
ballot measures, whether initiated by the agency or voter petition. She has
worked on numerous initiatives, referendums, and recall attempts, including
situations where there are competing ballot measures.  Erica is knowledgeable on
the local elections process from start to finish.  She has drafts ballot
measures and impartial analyses and works closely with the local elections
official to ensure Elections Code procedures and requirements are satisfied.
Erica also advises cities on the rapidly evolving area of cannabis regulation
and taxation.  She has drafted ordinances establishing cannabis business
regulatory programs and taxes, working collaboratively with city staff, law
enforcement, and stakeholders in the process.  She advises city staff throughout
the business licensing and land use permitting processes. Erica is an active in
organizations representing the interests of public agencies.  She currently
serves on the League of California Cities’ Governance, Transparency and Labor
Relations Policy Committee.  She previously served for six years on the Public
Records Act Committee of the League’s City Attorney’s Department.  She is a
contributor to the League's publications on the Public Records Act, "The
People's Business," conflicts of interest, “Providing Conflict of Interest
Advice,” and the Municipal Law Handbook. A graduate of Smith College, Erica
majored in Government.  She also studied in Geneva, Switzerland, where she was
enrolled at the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute for
International Studies, and interned at the Center for International
Environmental Law.  Erica obtained her Juris Doctorate from the University of
California, Hastings.  At UC Hastings, Erica focused her studies on public law
and policy.  She participated in the school's Center for State and Local
Government Law and Public Law Research Institute.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * League of California Cities
 * California Bar Association, Public Law Section


JACK P. LIPTON, PH.D.

Pronouns: he, him, his Jack P. Lipton is a Partner and is Chair of our Education
Law Practice Group.  His practice encompasses a wide range of areas,
particularly involving public and private schools and colleges.  Jack Lipton has
experience in collective bargaining, special education, school facilities,
governance, student discipline, human resources, the Brown Act, accreditation,
licensing, financial aid, construction, real property transactions,
interpretation of the Education Code and Title 5 of the California Code of
Regulations, contract review, and other legal issues affecting educational
institutions, and he has handled cases in both state and federal courts as well
as with the Public Employment Relations Board, the Bureau for Private
Post-Secondary Education, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the
Equal Employment Opportunity Employment Commission.  Jack, who has a Ph.D. in
Psychology, has a special interest in the field of psychology-and-law.  Jack
also has extensive litigation experience, and he has handled writs and appeals
before the California Court of Appeal, the California Supreme Court, and the
U.S. Court of Appeals. Jack has served on the Editorial Board for the Journal of
College and University Law, published by the National Association of College and
University Attorneys. Jack received his J.D. degree, summa cum laude, from the
University of Arizona College of Law, where he served as Articles Editor of the
Arizona Law Review and graduated in the top 4% of his class.  After law school,
Jack served as a Law Clerk to the late Hon. Thomas Tang at the U.S. Court of
Appeals, Ninth Circuit. A member of the California Bar, Jack is admitted to
practice in the Northern, Eastern, and Central Districts of the U.S. District
Court in California, as well as before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
Jack received a B.A. degree in Psychology, cum laude, from U.C.L.A.  He earned a
Master’s degree in Social Psychology from California State University,
Northridge, and his Master’s thesis concerned psychological aspects of
eyewitness testimony.  Jack received a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University
of California, Riverside; Jack’s doctoral dissertation, sponsored by the U.S.
Justice Department, dealt with juries. Jack Lipton is Principal Bassist and a
member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Lawyers’ Philharmonic
Orchestra. Prior to becoming an attorney, Jack had a career as an academic
psychologist and taught at Humboldt State University, Union College in
Schenectady, N.Y., University of Arizona, and Arizona State University.  Also,
before earning his Ph.D., Jack taught at Chaffey College, Fullerton College, and
San Bernardino Valley College.  Jack has been an adjunct professor at the
Graduate School of Education and Psychology at Pepperdine University, and at
Southwestern University School of Law, where he teaches Education Law. Jack
Lipton has served as a Mediator and an Arbitrator, and he was Foreperson of the
Grand Jury for the Central District of California. Jack has served as Chair of
the Committee on Legal Issues of the American Psychological Association (“APA”)
where he was involved with amicus briefs on behalf of the APA.  Though currently
inactive, Jack is licensed or certified to practice psychology in California,
Arizona, and New York.  As a psychologist, Jack has served as a consultant in
both the public and private sectors, and he has regularly testified as an expert
witness. Jack is widely published and has given lectures and presentations in
forums throughout the United States and abroad such as at universities and
professional conferences.  Jack also provides legal assistance to psychologists
and other mental health professionals.
 * Education Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California


MARTIN KOSLA

Pronouns: he, him, his Martin Kosla primarily practices in the areas of real
estate, business and public law. Martin has handled numerous judicial
foreclosure matters for public entities concerning delinquent special taxes and
assessments, including assisting clients with complex workouts, and taking
judicial foreclosure cases to trial.  He also has experience in handling real
estate transactions, including preparing agreements related to the purchase,
sale, and lease of real estate.  He has experience is drafting various
agreements concerning real property, including purchase and sale agreement,
easements and deeds of trust, as well as affordable housing agreements.  (Martin
is also licensed as a real estate broker in California.) He has also handled a
broad range of business litigation cases ranging from defending companies for
breach of contract arising out of the supply of goods and services to
representing officers of private companies in disputes between their members. 
Martin has experience in transactional work, including preparing documents
associated with the formation of California corporations and limited liability
companies. He also has experience in handling trademark matters for private and
public clients. Martin has experience in defending government entities against
alleged breaches of constitutional rights, including claims under the Fourth and
Eighth Amendments. Prior to relocating to California, Martin practiced for four
years as an attorney in Melbourne, Australia, where he specialized in all
aspects of business litigation. During this time, Martin also handled various
real estate and transactional matters for individual and corporate clients.
Before becoming an attorney, Martin served as a forward observer in the Royal
Australian Artillery.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California
 * State of Victoria, Australia


KEIKO J. KOJIMA

Pronouns: she, her, hers Keiko Kojima's practice includes a broad range of
litigation matters, including insurance coverage disputes, bad faith liability
actions, and contractual disputes.  Keiko's primary focus is in the area of
ERISA and employee benefits, including the representation of insurers in life,
health, and disability litigation.  She also provides litigation assistance to
the firm's Education Law Practice Group. While attending Brown University, Keiko
interned for former Congressman Esteban E. Torres in Washington D.C.  She was
also selected to participate in the Everett Public Service Internship Program to
work as a summer intern for Citizens for Tax Justice in Washington D.C.  While
in law school, she received an American Jurisprudence Award in Evidence.
 * Education Law
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California


MICHELLE MARCHETTA KENYON

Pronouns: she, her, hers Michelle Kenyon provides legal representation for
cities and other public agencies as city attorney and special counsel.  Michelle
currently serves as City Attorney for the cities of Rohnert Park, Calistoga,
Piedmont and Pacifica, Town Attorney for the Town of Moraga, and Special Counsel
to several cities in the Bay Area.  She previously has served as Acting/Interim
City Attorney for many cities including the City of Redwood City, Daly City,
Pleasant Hill, and the Town of Danville.  Her practice includes advising city
councils and staff in all areas of municipal law issues such as annexation
procedures, bidding and claims procedures, CEQA, code enforcement, conflicts of
interest laws, contract review, elections, Government Tort Claims Act,
initiatives, referenda, land use and planning, municipal finance, open meeting
laws, personnel, Proposition 218, and water supply assessments. Michelle’s other
areas of specialty include land use litigation and appellate advocacy.  She is
experienced in both state and federal trial and appellate courts, including
written appearances in the U.S. Supreme Court.  She has successfully served as
lead attorney in litigation involving CEQA, inverse condemnation, election law,
civil rights, Proposition 218 and rent control, with several outcomes garnering
published decisions.
 * Public Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of the United States
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California

 * League of California Cities, Member
 * League of California Cities, Board of Directors, 2017-present
 * Public Law Executive Committee, State Bar of California, 2013-2016
 * League of California Cities, City Attorneys Department, Nominating Committee,
   Chair 2010
 * League of California Cities, City Attorneys Department, President, 2008-2009
 * League of California Cities, City Attorneys Department, First Vice President,
   2007-2008
 * League of California Cities, City Attorneys Department, Second Vice
   President, 2006-2007
 * League of California Cities, City Attorneys Department, Nominating Committee,
   1993, 1996, 2003
 * League of California Cities, City Attorneys Department, Legislative
   Committee, 1999-2000
 * League of California Cities, City Attorneys Department, Legal Advocacy
   Committee, Chair 1995-1996, Member 1994-1996
 * Contra Costa County City Attorneys Association, President 2006


STEPHEN E. VELYVIS

Pronouns: he, him, his Steve Velyvis is a well-respected land use and
environmental law attorney with over 20 years of expertise advising and
representing public agency and private clients in administrative proceedings and
before state and federal trial and appellate courts. Steve has extensive
advisory and litigation experience with and works daily on projects addressing
complex legal issues spanning the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA),
the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Power Act, and the
California Coastal Act, as well as the state and federal legal and regulatory
frameworks governing clean water, clean air, endangered species and electricity
generation and transmission. He also routinely represents clients in land use
and planning-related matters and advises on CEQA compliance issues in eminent
domain matters. While Steve has extensive advisory and litigation experience
with a multitude of environmental laws, he is most experienced with CEQA, having
represented parties on all three “sides” of the CEQA equation.  In other words,
in addition to successfully representing Burke’s many municipal and public
agency clients, Steve has also successfully represented numerous private clients
(e.g., project applicants and project opponents.)  In this regard, Steve
distinguishes himself as a leading CEQA practitioner.  Steve’s deep and varied
experience gives him invaluable insight into what all three sides on a given
CEQA project are thinking at every step along the way.  This unique perspective
also enables him to develop cutting-edge legal strategies aimed at resolving
conflicts and prevailing in litigation, as opposed to simply posturing or
falling back on routine "cookie cutter" advice and litigation tools.  In sum,
Steve draws on his collective experience to help Burke’s clients think outside
the box and routinely provides successful, cost-effective results.
 * Education Law
 * Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of Colorado
 * 

 * California Bar Association, Environmental Law Section Legislation Committee
   (member) and Environmental Law Update publication (regular contributor)
 * American Planning Association, Northern California Chapter (Board of
   Directors, Legislative Director)
 * California Solar Energy Industries Association
 * USGBC Northern California Chapter (founding member, former steering committee
   member and emerging professionals chair of the Chapter’s Diablo East Bay
   Branch)
 * California Special Districts Association: CEQA Expert Feedback Team
 * Bay Area City Attorneys’ Association


JOHN J. WELSH

John Welsh is Burke, Williams & Sorensen's Managing Partner and Chairperson of
the Management Committee.  He has served in these positions since 1996 and is
responsible for the firm’s management strategy and financial performance.  John
is a regular presenter and commentator at continuing education law forums and
law practice management conferences. When not serving in the above roles, John
provides corporate expertise to the firm's private business and not-for-profit
clients.  Specifically, John serves as corporate counsel to numerous companies
and has negotiated and drafted all of the following documents: supply
agreements, distribution agreements, joint venture agreements, franchise
agreements, employee confidentiality agreements, leases, sale and purchase of
assets and stock agreements, covenants not to compete, partnership agreements,
articles of incorporation, bylaws, and SEC filings. Additionally, John has
corporate litigation experience involving discovery, law and motion, and trial
work involving each of the following causes of action: breach of contract,
intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, fraud, trade
secrets, negligence, and infliction of emotional distress. John's education law
experience encompasses a wide variety of institutional and student-related legal
issues including, but not limited to, due process rights in disciplinary and
tenure matters, sexual harassment, minority-based admissions and scholarship
programs, reasonable accommodations for disabled students, student waivers,
inappropriate discipline of students by faculty, right to privacy and public
records access, duty of care of institution and its employees, free speech and
assembly rights, plagiarism, student assault and battery, revocation and
withholding of diplomas, campus crime disclosure, drug testing, accreditation
and certification, open meeting laws, and institutional liability for employee
negligence.
 * Education Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of New York
 * District of Columbia Bar (inactive)

 * Sorin Society
 * Jonathan Club


NORA E. WETZEL

Pronouns: she, her, hers Nora Wetzel is a commercial litigation attorney in
Burke’s San Francisco office with a focus in commercial real estate and data
privacy matters.  Nora handles eminent domain actions and real estate litigation
involving purchase and sale, leaseholds, land-use litigation, as well as general
commercial matters.  She also advises clients regarding their compliance with
federal and state privacy laws and security breach notification laws. Nora
provides prompt and efficient legal service to public entities, healthcare
entities and related businesses, educational institutions, retailers, commercial
landlords and tenants, business owners, property owners, developers and public
utilities on litigation matters involving eminent domain lawsuits, commercial
real estate disputes, cybersecurity and privacy, and breach of contract claims .
Nora has jury trial and mediation experience, as well as regulatory compliance
experience in connection with state attorneys general and the Office for Civil
Rights of the Department of Health and Human Services. Nora has been designated
as a Certified Information Privacy Professional, United States (CIPP/US) by the
International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).
 * Data Privacy & Cyber Security
 * Education Law
 * Eminent Domain
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * Oregon State Bar
 * Washington State Bar
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California


GAIL E. KAVANAGH

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Gail Kavanagh’s commercial litigation practice includes real estate title and
contract disputes; eminent domain; commercial landlord-tenant matters;
commercial tort actions; employment contract, discrimination and harassment
actions; and trademark, copyright and trade secrets protection.

 * Eminent Domain
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * SF CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocate


CHERYL L. JOHNSON-HARTWELL, AWI-CH

Pronouns: she, her, hers Cheryl Johnson-Hartwell has successfully litigated over
800 disputes to conclusion.  She has significant experience in federal and state
court, with arbitration panels, and before federal and state administrative
agencies.  Cheryl provides clients with proactive strategies to manage
litigation risk.  She endeavors to obtain an early and cost-effective resolution
for disputes and typically resolves them at or before the summary judgment
phase. In those cases that proceed further, she has a record of obtaining
favorable results for her clients. She also counsels employers on matters
involving hiring, discipline and termination, and workplace policies.  Her
clients include automotive manufacturers, large-format retail, non-profit
entities, security services, entertainment, manufacturing, furniture retail, and
public-sector employers. Cheryl is an Association of Workplace Investigators
(AWI) Certificate Holder.  She conducts workplace investigations as a neutral
fact-finder.  Employers rely on her findings in order to make informed decisions
on how to resolve internal workplace complaints.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of Texas
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California


THOMAS D. JEX

Pronouns: he, him, his Thomas Jex is a partner with the firm and serves as the
City Attorney for the City of Wildomar, Town Attorney for the Town of Yucca
Valley, and provides special counsel services for the Jurupa Unified School
District. Tom serves as a trusted advisor to public agency governing bodies,
commissions, and staff on a wide array of municipal legal issues, including the
Brown Act, Public Records Act, conflict of interest laws, planning and zoning
laws, contracts, and constitutional issues, among others.  He delivers advice to
clients in a manner that is understandable and contains practical guidance that
can be readily applied in the real world. Tom provides advice on both legal
compliance and risk assessment, understanding that many situations faced by
public agencies do not have clear cut answers. Tom regularly advises elected and
appointed officials, navigating delicate issues with politically-divergent
boards. He clearly presents the impacts of legal constraints on agency
activities. Tom takes time to understand the agency’s long- and short-term goals
and how the law affects those objectives, finding ways to achieve them whenever
possible. He focuses on crafting legal advice that is practical and workable.
Tom augments his practice by serving as a member of the Brown Act Committee of
the League of California Cities - City Attorney's Department.  He has served as
an adjunct professor for the University of California Riverside Extension where
he taught courses on the Public Records Act and Redevelopment Law. Tom lived for
two years in Quito, Ecuador and is proficient in Spanish.
 * Education Law
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * League of California Cities, City Attorney’s Department Nominating Committee,
   2014
 * League of California Cities, City Attorney's Department Brown Act Committee,
   2010-2012 and 2021 to present
 * League of California Cities, Environmental Quality Policy Committee, League
   Partner Liaison


DAVID J. HYNDMAN

Pronouns: he, him, his David Hyndman practices primarily in the area of
commercial litigation, with a focus on construction disputes and related
matters.  He represents public and private entity clients in a variety of
projects, including EPC contracting, construction management, public works
projects, and other complex construction matters.  His experience includes
evaluating and resolving claims and disputes involving water processing plants,
power plants, roadways, schools, hospitals, tunnels, and airports, among other
issues.  David also represents clients in commercial disputes and general
litigation matters.  During the course of his career, he has represented clients
in jury trials, arbitrations, and mediations.  David is admitted to practice in
both California and Wisconsin. David also has significant experience in
implementing efficient and effective procedures for managing pretrial discovery
in complex cases.  This has frequently included managing document intensive
e-discovery and electronic database issues, including implementing cost
effective protocols for the review and production of millions of paper and
electronic documents, as required by and in compliance with current and evolving
Federal and State rules.
 * Construction Law
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of Wisconsin
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Alameda County Bar Association
 * American Bar Association
 * Bar Association of San Francisco


CHAD W. HERRINGTON

Pronouns: he, him, his Chad Herrington provides advisory, transactional, and
litigation services on a broad range of municipal law issues for cities,
counties, and other public agencies throughout California.  He currently serves
as the Assistant City Attorney for the City of Eastvale and the Town of Yucca
Valley, and as deputy City Attorney for the City of Rialto, City of Cathedral
City, and City of Wildomar.  He previously served as the Assistant City Attorney
for the City of Piedmont and City of Rohnert Park.  His practice includes
advising city councils and staff in all areas of municipal law such as the
public records act, open meeting laws, conflicts of interest laws, code
enforcement, CEQA, public contracting and procurement, solid waste franchises,
and land use and zoning.  Chad regularly drafts and reviews resolutions,
ordinances, and agreements for cities, advises planning departments, reviews
environmental documents, and attends planning commission meetings and city
council meetings.  Chad also provides trainings on the Brown Act, the Public
Records Act, and governmental ethics laws. In addition to his advisory practice,
Chad’s other area of specialty includes municipal law litigation, with a focus
on eminent domain, inverse condemnation, and property disputes.  His litigation
experience includes the successful representation of public entity clients at
all stages of litigation, including trial and appeals. Chad is passionate about
public law and has been working with public entities his entire career.  Prior
to joining Burke, Williams & Sorensen in 2012, Chad served as a graduate law
clerk and attorney in the Alameda County Counsel's Office, and worked for a
private firm representing school districts and community college districts in a
variety of transactional and litigation matters.
 * Constitutional Law
 * Eminent Domain
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California


NEIL F. YEAGER

Pronouns: he, him, his Neil Yeager has developed an extensive and diverse
practice in the areas of business, finance, commercial, and real property law
where he has gained expertise over the course of more than forty years of legal
practice.  His practice involves both private and public clients of the firm. 
He has represented client interests in a broad range of complex business,
finance, and commercial matters, including contract negotiation, personal
property secured transactions, securities law, municipal bond law, equipment
leasing, and commercial loan transactions. He also has in-depth experience in a
full array of real property transactions involving commercial and industrial
leasing, ground leasing, real property acquisition and sale transactions, real
property finance, construction lending, options, easements and licenses, and
landlord and tenant representation. During the course of his career, Neil was
continuously involved in advising Unified Grocers, Inc., one of the country's
largest retailer-owned grocery wholesalers. He represented this client in
acquisition and leasing transactions relating to retail supermarket locations
throughout California and the west, including both the acquisition and leasing
of existing locations and the construction and leasing of new locations.  Neil
had lead responsibility over the years in representing this client in the bulk
acquisition and disposition of numerous supermarket locations which became
available through divestitures connected with chain store mergers. Neil has also
represented many other grocery and non-grocery industry clients in acquisition
and leasing transactions, including stock and asset purchases and sales,
facilities leases, and general business and contract matters. Neil's depth of
experience has made him a valuable resource to the firm's many public entity
clients. He serves as real property counsel to the firm's public clients
regarding matters such as the acquisition of property for municipal facilities,
parks and open space, and the leasing or other disposition of property for
commercial development.  Neil has also had extensive involvement in a variety of
public finance matters involving the firm’s clients, including the issuance of
municipal bonds.
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * 

 * State Bar of California, Business Law Section
 * Los Angeles County Bar Association, Real Property Law and Business and
   Corporations Law Sections


JOHN R. YEH

Pronouns: he, him, his John Yeh has been practicing law in California since
1991.  A product and consumer of California K-12 public schools, he specializes
in representing and advising school districts in charter school oversight, labor
and employment, and litigation.  He also has extensive experience in advising
school boards and school districts on the Brown Act, conflicts of interest, and
the California Public Records Act. He represents and advises other educational
agencies, including California Joint Powers Authorities, on their legal
obligations and various aspects of their operation. John is one of the State’s
most experienced advocates before trial courts, courts of appeal, and the
California Supreme Court on charter school and school district matters, having
achieved the following results for Burke’s school district clients:
 * Successful adjudication before the California Supreme Court of the
   “Between-Term” rule in the Unemployment Insurance Code, and invalidation of
   appeals board precedent decision (United Educators of San Francisco AFT/CFT
   v. California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board (2020) 8 Cal.5th 805);
 * Dismissal of charter school legal challenge to revocation of its charter
   (Butte County Superior Court Case No. 156847);
 * Successful defense of challenge to school district award of meal service
   contract (San Francisco Superior Court Case No. CPF-12-512681);
 * Summary Adjudication in favor of City against charter school's attempt to
   exempt itself from local zoning requirements (Santa Clara County Superior
   Court Case No. 1-13-CV-255504);
 * Successful challenge to county board of education’s attempt to grant
   exemption from local zoning to countywide charter school (San Jose Unified
   School District v. Santa Clara County Office of Education et al. (2017) 7
   Cal.App.5th 967);
 * Successful judgment after trial in nuisance action against charter school
   operating in violation of local zoning ordinances (Santa Clara County
   Superior Court Case No. 1-13-CV-255504);
 * Demurrer sustained without leave to amend as to Petition for Writ of Mandate
   regarding salary schedule issue (Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No.
   16-CV-297270);
 * Favorable court of appeal decision addressing material revision requirement
   for additional charter school sites (Today’s Fresh Start Charter School v.
   Inglewood Unified School District (2018) 20 Cal.App.5th 276);
 * Denial of charter school Writ of Mandate challenging school district
   facilities allocation under Proposition 39 (Santa Clara County Superior Court
   Case No. CV340197);
 * Dismissal of charter school Writ of Mandate challenging school district
   facilities allocation under Proposition 39 (San Francisco County Superior
   Court Case No. CPF-20-517094);
 * Affirmance of attorneys' fees award on behalf of school district against
   charter school (Sixth District Court of Appeal, Case No. H045884);
 * Denial of charter school Writ of Mandate under Proposition 39 (Alameda
   Superior Court Case No. RG21090115);
 * Dismissal of charter school's Constitutional equal protection and due process
   claims against public school administrators (Northern District Case No.
   20-CV-08555-CRB).

Charter School Law In the area of charter school law, John has extensive
experience advising school boards on the granting, denial, oversight, monitoring
and revocation of charters.  John’s experience includes the following:
 * Representation of several large urban and rural unified school districts, as
   well as smaller K-8 districts, on how to deal with charter school issues.
 * Advising school boards on a number of high-profile charter revocations, as
   well as on the review of charter petitions, having reviewed over 200 charter
   petitions on behalf of school districts.
 * Advising school districts on best practices in charter school oversight,
   proposed charter school legislation and charter school facilities and
   funding.

John has written widely on cutting-edge issues involving charter school law,
including a definitive treatment of "Understanding Dependent Charters," Charter
Schools and Collective Bargaining: The Unholy Alliance, and “Charter Schools and
Collective Bargaining, Implications for Authorizing Agencies,” (California
Schools, Winter 2011) a work that was cited in the Hastings Law Journal (Chen, 
J. “California Charter School Teachers: Flexibility in the Classroom,
Vulnerability as an Employee,” 67 Hastings L.J. 1733 (2016).)  He has also
written on "Land Use: The New Arena In The Struggle Between Independence and
Accountability For Charter Schools."

Other Areas John also practices in the areas of personnel and employment law,
with a focus on school district labor relations and personnel, including
discrimination claims before the DFEH and EEOC.  He has also compiled a
successful record representing school districts in arbitration hearings and
unfair practice claims before PERB.  He also advises school districts and other
educational institutions on contracting issues, student matters, and
accreditation.  John has also been certified as an Interest Based Bargaining
trainer, and speaks frequently before industry associations on charter school
and school district personnel legal issues.
 * Education Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * Association of California Schools Administrators Education Legal Support Fund
   Advisory Group
 * California Council of School Attorneys


BRIAN I. HAMBLET

Pronouns: he, him, his Brian Hamblet is a partner at Burke, Williams & Sorensen,
LLP with over 20 years of experience working with public agencies.  Brian is the
Senior Assistant City Attorney for the City of Simi Valley.  He also provides
advice to numerous public entities across the state, including Camarillo, Santa
Clarita, Burbank, Rialto, and Lawndale. Brian’s interest in representing public
entities began before graduating law school while he was a law clerk at a firm
defending the cities of Beverly Hills and Ventura.  Since then, Brian has
developed a strong background in advising and defending governmental entities
and their employees in a wide range of matters including the Public Records Act,
conflict of interest laws, tort litigation, particularly premises liability,
dangerous condition of public property, wrongful death, eminent domain, inverse
condemnation, constitutional law, and civil rights litigation.  Brian has also
advised many municipalities regarding how to stay compliant with the Brown Act.
Brian also serves as the City Prosecutor for numerous cities including Rosemead,
Camarillo, and Santa Clarita where he successfully handles criminal litigation
and prosecution of code enforcement matters.  Serving in these capacities has
given Brian a broad range of litigation experience which he continues to expand
upon to successfully advise and represent his clients. As a litigator, Brian has
also successfully litigated and tried cases to verdict for both public agencies
and private clients in the areas of bodily injury, contract disputes, employment
discrimination, products liability, motor vehicle warranty, toxic tort, and
unfair business practices, as well as bankruptcy, preference and fraudulent
transfer litigation. Brian received his B.A. in philosophy with a minor in
business administration from UCLA in 1987.  He graduated magna cum laude from
Loyola Law School, in 2000 where he was ranked number one in his division and
received numerous honors including the Order of the Coif, the Sayre MacNeil
Scholars Award, the Dean’s Scholarship for Academic Excellence, the American
Jurisprudence Award for Excellence in Ethical Lawyering, and First Honors Awards
in 1st Amendment Law, as well as Initiative and Referendum Law.  Brian was also
appointed a member of the Order of the Coif, the St. Thomas More Law Honor
Society, and Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society and was an Editor on the Loyola Law
Review.  Brian has also lectured extensively for the City Attorneys Association
of Los Angeles County (“CAALAC”) as well as the University of Southern
California, Loyola Law School, and Mount Saint Mary’s College. Prior to becoming
an attorney, Brian was an apprentice editor on the movie, Father of the Bride
II.
 * Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * President Emeritus, City Attorney's Association of Los Angeles County
   (CAALAC) 2023
 * President, City Attorney's Association of Los Angeles County (CAALAC) 2022
 * Vice-President, City Attorney's Association of Los Angeles County (CAALAC)
   2021
 * Secretary, City Attorney's Association of Los Angeles County (CAALAC) 2020
 * Treasurer, City Attorney's Association of Los Angeles County (CAALAC) 2019
 * Los Angeles County Bar Association


STEPHANIE GUTIERREZ

Pronouns: she, her, hers Stephanie Gutierrez is an attorney at the Riverside
office of Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP and is a member of the Public Law
Practice Group and has a range of experience advising and representing public
entities. Stephanie currently serves as Senior Assistant City Attorney for the
City of Simi Valley, Assistant City Attorney for the cities of Temple City and
California City, as Assistant General Counsel for the Banning Library District
and the Central Basin Municipal Water District, as Deputy General Counsel for
SunLine Transit Agency, and as Deputy City Attorney for the cities of Buellton,
Cathedral City, Lawndale, Rialto, Wildomar, and Yucca Valley. Stephanie serves
as counsel during city council and planning commission meetings, regularly
advises on the Brown Act, the Political Reform Act, California conflict of
interest law and the California Public Records Act.  She attends Executive Team
meetings, assisting in preparation of meeting agendas, and provides a wide array
of trainings to local government officials ranging from zoning and land use
regulations to AB 1234.  Prior to joining Burke, Stephanie's practice
concentrated on immigration law.  Stephanie also worked for the San Bernardino
County Counsel’s office where she advised the Assessor Recorder Clerk, the Land
Use Services Department, and the Chief Administrator’s Office. Stephanie earned
her Juris Doctor degree from University of La Verne College of Law.  During law
school, she served as a judicial extern for Associate Justice Carol D.
Codrington of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, and was Editor in Chief of
the Journal of Law Business and Ethics.  She also received a Master of Public
Administration degree from University of La Verne College of Business and Public
Management.
 * Education Law
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California

 * Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court
 * Riverside County Bar Association


LAURIE N. GUSTAFSON

Laurie Gustafson is an accomplished commercial real estate attorney with more
than 25 years of experience.  Laurie focuses her practice on complex real
estate, finance and construction transactions.  She assists clients, both
private and public, with the acquisition and disposition of commercial real
property, due diligence, financing, leasing, design and construction,
development and management.  She handles a wide range of projects including
offices, corporate campuses, retail, restaurant, shopping centers, multi-family,
industrial, rural, infrastructure and mixed use. Laurie has also represented
numerous cities throughout California as special real estate counsel on real
property acquisitions, dispositions and leasing.  She has also assisted cities
with the negotiation, documentation and closing on affordable housing projects.
Laurie served as the Law Clerk to Chief Justice Edmond W. Burke of the Alaska
Supreme Court from 1984-1985.
 * Construction Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California

 * Commercial Real Estate Women San Francisco (CREW SF)
 * Commercial Real Estate Women San Francisco (CREW SF), 2015 President
 * Commercial Real Estate Women San Francisco (CREW SF), Board of Directors
   2012-2016
 * Commercial Real Estate Women San Francisco (CREW SF), Co-Founder, CREW SF
   Rising Leaders Group, for members fresher to the commercial real estate
   industry seeking leadership, development opportunities and mentorship


SAMANTHA W. ZUTLER

Pronouns: she, her, hers Samantha Zutler is the City Attorney of the cities of
Healdsburg and Capitola.  Samantha serves as the Assistant City Attorney of
Carmel-by-the-Sea and the Assistant Town Attorney of the Town of Tiburon.  As
City Attorney, Samantha advises on a wide range of general municipal law issues,
including the Brown Act, conflicts of interest, and public records requests. 
She has also litigated writs challenging public records responses,
constitutional challenges to land-use decisions, and contractual issues. 
Samantha also advises regarding general land use matters, CEQA, and
constitutional issues. Samantha also maintains a specialty practice in labor and
employment.  She regularly defends claims of discrimination and harassment, wage
and hour claims, and claims of wrongful discharge.  She works with clients at
all stages of the disciplinary process, from drafting and implementing new
policies to defending employers in disciplinary appeals.  Samantha has
represented public and private sector clients in individual, collective, and
class actions, and has extensive experience in litigating employment
discrimination claims.  Her clients include the City of Oakland, the City of
Petaluma, the County of San Bernardino, and the County of Alameda. Samantha is
frequently called upon to conduct training for employees, managers and elected
officials throughout California on a variety of topics, including ethics for
public officials, Brown Act, prevention of sexual harassment, and best
management practices.  Her experience ranges from conducting individual,
one-on-one remedial trainings to group trainings for over two hundred
employees.  Her audiences have included engineers, maintenance workers, police
officers, firefighters, attorneys, mid-level and senior management employees,
human resources personnel, Boards of Directors, City Councils, and the most
difficult audience possible – lawyers. Samantha lives in the bustling and
vibrant city of San Francisco.  She serves as a volunteer mediator for Community
Boards, a nonprofit that provides mediators to the community.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of the United States
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Alameda County Bar Association, Labor & Employment Law Section
 * Bar Association of San Francisco
 * Barristers Club
 * Queen's Bench Bar Association


BRIAN S. GINTER

Pronouns: he, him, his Brian Ginter is experienced in all phases of civil
litigation from pre-lawsuit settlement negotiations and pre-judgment provisional
relief through trial and appeal. He has obtained favorable results for clients
at all stages of their dispute, including temporary restraining orders, writs of
attachment, summary judgment, and verdict. Brian’s practice is concentrated in
the areas of business litigation, employment law, and professional liability.
Having had the benefit of working in litigation firms since he was admitted to
the bar, and before that as a paralegal and law clerk, he is able to prosecute
and defend a wide variety of cases, which have included allegations of fraud,
mass tort, unfair competition, and breach of contract. Recently, he
second-chaired a trial involving a breach of contract claim by a harbor terminal
company against a defaulting tenant. The case also involved allegations by the
defendant that the terminal company breached the contract and damaged the
defendant’s oil trading business by approximately $30 million. After a bench
trial, the defendant agreed to settle the case by paying the firm’s client over
$5 million. Brian’s employment law experience involves claims of discrimination,
harassment, retaliation, and wrongful termination. He is frequently called upon
to assist clients in difficult and sensitive cases of whistleblower retaliation
or fraud and other criminal activity. Brian represented the Los Angeles Memorial
Coliseum Commission in matters arising out of wide-ranging public corruption.
The cases included claims against event promoters that paid more than $2 million
to a person who was then employed by the Coliseum Commission. After
approximately six years of litigation, which included a successful appeal to the
California Court of Appeal and a parallel criminal prosecution, the defendants
agreed to pay the Coliseum Commission $3.5 million. Other recent work includes
representation of a public entity in defense of race discrimination allegations.
The case resulted in a unanimous defense verdict after a two-week trial. In the
professional liability arena, Brian has successfully represented lawyers,
architects, and engineers involving claims of breach of contract, malpractice,
conflicts of interest, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud. He has also
litigated claims against these professionals as well as accountants when the
professional’s service has caused injury to the client. Away from the office,
Brian enjoys staying active in competitive sports. He is an avid baseball
player. Along with his wife, he also races with the Vintage Auto Racing
Association and other vintage auto racing organizations.
 * Construction Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Labor Relations
 * Litigation
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Los Angeles County Bar Association


ALGERIA R. FORD

Pronouns: he, him, his Algeria Ford is a member of the Public Law, Labor and
Employment, Litigation, and Education practice groups. Al currently serves as
City Attorney for the City of Simi Valley, Assistant City Attorney for the City
of Cathedral City and Assistant City Attorney for the City of Rialto. Al also
serves as General Counsel for the Banning Library District, General Counsel for
City of Simi Valley/Waterworks District No. 8, and Assistant General Counsel for
the Sunline Transit Agency. In addition, Al serves as special counsel in the
areas of police and employment law for the Hesperia Unified School District, the
Val Verde Unified School District, and the Apple Valley Unified School District.
Finally, Al provides special counsel labor and employment services to Fritts
Ford Riverside. In the area of litigation, Al has extensive experience in the
areas of labor and employment, civil rights, tort and premise liability, and
code enforcement.  Al has also handled appeals in the California Court of Appeal
as well as the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. In the public law arena, Al
advises on Public Records Act and subpoena responses, Brown Act problems,
Conflicts of Interest and Pitchess motions. Al’s practice also includes
conducting independent internal investigations, serving as lead labor negotiator
for public entity negotiations, advising and representing employers on
discipline issues and during grievance procedures, drafting ordinances, and
providing general advice to department heads, elected officials, and private
employers. Al also has a robust training practice and routinely trains clients
on emerging issues for public entities including in the law enforcement,
employment law and records disclosure context. Prior to joining the firm, Al
represented public sector clients while employed with the San Bernardino Office
of County Counsel as a member of both the litigation and employment groups.  In
that capacity Al obtained successful results on various motions and as counsel
in jury trials, assisted in drafting policies and rules, regularly advised on
POBR issues, Internal Affairs Investigations and employment disputes, and
represented the County before the Civil Service Commission. In addition, Al
advised the Sheriff Department during federal investigations. Al previously
worked as a Deputy District Attorney with the Orange County District Attorney’s
Office, where he prosecuted multiple cases to jury verdict.  Prior to that he
worked for the Louisville Metro Public Defender’s Office, obtaining successful
results for clients at hearings and jury trial. During law School, Al was the
Editor-in-Chief of two of the school’s three legal journals, was a member of the
Moot Court Board, and served on the school’s National Trial and National
Environmental Moot Court Teams.  In addition, he won the School’s prestigious
oral advocacy competition during his second year of law school and received
honors for obtaining the highest grade in Advanced Constitutional Law, Advanced
Trial Practice, and Criminal Procedure.
 * Constitutional Law
 * Education Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Law Enforcement Defense
 * Public Law
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * State Bar of Kentucky
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky


NIRA F. DOHERTY

Pronouns: she, her, hers Nira Doherty is an experienced city attorney,
litigator, and land use expert. Her litigation and transactional practices
emphasize land use, CEQA, housing and government law issues. She serves as the
City Attorney for the City of Menlo Park, General Counsel for the Tahoe Donner
Association, and General Counsel for the Tahoe Transportation District. Nira
represents dozens of cities and public agencies, as well as private landowners
and developers on land use, zoning, CEQA and Subdivision Map Act matters.  She
represents clients in all phases of development including entitlement and
administrative approvals, general plan updates, CEQA compliance and enforcement
of zoning laws. Nira advises both private and public agency clients on State
housing laws including Density Bonus Law, SB 35, Housing Accountability Act, SB
330 and ADU laws. She has negotiated and drafted development agreements and
performed affordable housing diligence review. Nira has also overseen citizen
initiatives from inception to election and represented cities in litigation
regarding ballot measures.  She has successfully served as lead attorney in
litigation involving CEQA, general plan updates, inverse condemnation, contract
disputes, health and safety receiverships, code enforcement matters, and tort
claims. Nira graduated from UC Davis School of Law where she was a member of the
UC Davis Law Review and Editor-in-Chief of the UC Davis Environmental Law and
Policy Journal.  Nira externed for the former Chief Judge Vaughn Walker of the
U.S. District Court, N. Dist. of California and clerked for Judge Steven Bernard
of the Colorado Court of Appeals.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Public Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * State Bar of Colorado


KARA L. DIBIASIO

Kara DiBiasio is an accomplished trial lawyer, specializing in real estate, CEQA
litigation, and eminent domain.  Kara handles all types of real estate
litigation, including common area disputes for residential, commercial and
retail properties, enforcement of ECR, CC&R, and other restrictive covenants,
disputes regarding development agreements, leases, purchase and sale agreements,
and other breach of contract claims.  Kara’s practice also encompasses
commercial matters, including partnership and contract disputes. Kara has
represented Fortune 500 companies, business owners, property owners, retailers,
public utilities, public entities, private individuals, landlords and tenants in
matters involving shopping centers, mixed use projects, industrial properties,
residential properties, and master plan communities. Kara has successfully
resolved cases for her clients through jury trials, motion practice, and
settlement including mediation.  Kara handles all aspects of litigation,
including pre-lawsuit counseling, initial investigation, development and
execution of strategic discovery plans, handling of complex e-discovery matters,
and through depositions, motion practice, settlement discussions, ADR, trial
preparation, and trial. Kara earned her J.D. from UC Davis, where she was a
member of the Negotiations Honors Board, Moot Court Board, and winner of the
43rd Annual Neumiller Moot Court Competition.  Kara graduated as a member of the
Order of the Barristers for excellence in oral advocacy.  During law school,
Kara interned at the California Department of Justice in the Office of the
Attorney General working in the Appeals, Writs and Trials division. Kara has
continued her commitment to her alma mater as an Adjunct Professor at UC Davis,
King Hall School of Law.  Kara teaches law students practical skills they will
use throughout their legal careers, including negotiation strategies and
effective client interviewing and counseling. Kara earned her B.A. from
California State University, Chico, where she studied political science and
graduated summa cum laude.  While studying at Chico State, Kara worked in a
legal clinic, where she provided legal assistance to tenants and landlords in
matters including habitability issues and unlawful detainers.
 * Eminent Domain
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * California State Bar
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Commercial Real Estate Women San Francisco (Crew SF)


SHEILA DELSHAD

Pronouns: she, her, hers Sheila Delshad represents clients in various labor and
employment law matters.  Her counseling practice focuses on discrimination,
harassment, retaliation, wage and hour claims, independent contractor issues,
employment contracts, due process, medical leaves and disability accommodation
and public pension and health benefits.  Sheila also has extensive experience
counseling and assisting clients with internal reviews and revisions of
employment policies and procedures, as well as conducting neutral investigations
of workplace complaints. Sheila has served as lead labor negotiator for multiple
collective bargaining agreements and continually advises employers on an array
of labor relations matters such as the meet and confer process, grievances,
discipline, layoffs, reorganizations and contracting out. Sheila’s litigation
practice includes considerable work defending public agencies against class
action claims of worker misclassification and discrimination.  She has defended
and counseled employers in matters involving both state and federal law, such as
equal employment opportunity under Title VII, the Family and Medical Leave Act,
the Americans with Disability Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the California
Family Rights Act, the California Pregnancy Disability Leave Act and the
Meyers-Milias-Brown Act. While attending University of Southern California Law
School, Sheila represented indigent clients with USC’s Immigration Law Clinic
and with Bet Tzedek Legal Services.  Sheila has also served as an extern to the
United States Attorney's Office and as a law clerk to the Metropolitan Water
District of Southern California.
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California


TIMOTHY L. DAVIS

Pronouns: he, him, his Timothy Davis is a partner in Burke, Williams &
Sorensen's Silicon Valley office and is Chair of the firm's Labor and Employment
Law practice group. Tim has tried to verdict employment cases in both federal
and state court, and has conducted over 70 employment arbitrations.  Tim
routinely defends employers in litigation matters in actions involving state and
federal law, such as Title VII, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act,
Americans with Disability Act, Age Discrimination and Employment Act, Family and
Medical Leave Act, California Family Rights Act, California Pregnancy Disability
Act, Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights, and wage and hour issues,
including wage and hour class actions.  He has represented employers in claims
of wrongful termination, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of loyalty, unlawful
interference with prospective economic advantage, unfair competition, and
constitutional rights violations.  His practice also includes the representation
of employers before state, federal, and local administrative proceedings,
including the Department of Labor, local civil service commissions, PERB, EEOC,
and OSHA.  Tim's reported decisions include Alhambra Police Officers Association
v. City of Alhambra, (2003) 113 Cal.App.4th, 413. Tim also represents both
public and private employers as a lead negotiator during collective bargaining
with their employee groups, including police, fire, general employees, and
management groups.  Additionally, his practice includes internal investigations
of employment complaints involving discrimination and harassment, as well as the
presentation of seminars on how to prevent discrimination and harassment and
investigate allegations of discrimination and harassment.  He also trains human
resources professionals and managers regarding proper investigation techniques. 
His practice includes development of personnel rules and policies including
discipline and grievance procedures, and the investigation of grievances.  He
advises management clients on labor and employment law compliance matters.  He
has also served as legal advisor during grievance proceedings. Tim's commitment
and experience in public law began in law school, where he co-authored the
article, "Does a Public Law Attorney Owe a Duty to Third Parties?" which
appeared in the Summer 1994 issue of the Public Law Journal.
 * Education Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California


DONALD M. DAVIS

Pronouns: he, him, his Don Davis has provided contract city attorney and general
counsel services to public agencies throughout California for over 25 years.  He
currently serves as the City Attorney for Rolling Hills Estates, Assistant City
Attorney for the City of Camarillo, General Counsel for the Friant Water
Authority, and General Counsel for the Bear Valley Community Services District. 
Don also provides special counsel services for numerous other Burke public
entity clients. Don has considerable expertise in land use and planning having
advised numerous planning commissions and city councils throughout his legal
career. He regularly consults with city planning staffs on matters ranging from
General Plan amendments to use permits.  Don has drafted dozens of major zoning
and land use ordinances.  His land use practice emphasizes the regulation of
matters that implicate federal and state rights of freedom of speech and
expression such as signage, adult businesses, protests, and solicitation. Don
enjoys governance issues and has extensive experience in the preparation and
amendment of various governance documents such as joint exercise of powers
agreements, joint powers authority bylaws, and memorandums of understanding
between multiple agencies. Don is an authority on the Brown Act, Public Records
Act, and other government transparency and ethics laws and is the firm’s
principal instructor for AB 1234 ethics trainings.  He has provided seminars
around the state on these subjects, which have been attended by hundreds of
public officials and staff members.  He is the principal author of the Brown Act
Compliance Manual and the Public Records Act Compliance Manual for the
California Special Districts Association.  Don is an advocate for the use of
plain language in governmental documents and his writing seminars on the topic
are popular with local government associations and agencies. Don regularly
handles a broad range of real estate transactional matters for public agencies
such as property acquisitions, financing, leasing, and dispositions.  As part of
such transactions, he provides advice on appraisals, title reports, legal
descriptions, engineering, and survey issues.  In the course of his practice,
Don has assisted public and private clients in the purchase or sale of thousands
of acres of property valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars.  Don has
drafted a variety of easement, license, and encroachment agreements with respect
to both public and private uses and projects.  Don has also worked on solar
energy projects, including power purchase agreements. Don has significant
experience with a wide variety of environmental issues including CEQA and NEPA. 
In working with the firm’s public and private clients, Don has handled all
aspects of the CEQA/NEPA compliance process, including the hiring and management
of project specialists in various environmental disciplines.  He routinely
provides advice and opinions on CEQA/NEPA compliance strategies, and has
reviewed and commented on numerous CEQA/NEPA documents ranging from notices of
preparation to mitigated negative declarations and environmental impact reports.
Don is proficient in negotiating, drafting, and reviewing contacts for public
agencies, including contracts for public works projects, maintenance, goods and
services, consultants and professional services.  Don is a strong proponent of
plain language in public contracts, which should be readable and understandable
to public agency staff and the general public – not just lawyers. Don regularly
provides advice on a range of public finance matters such as Proposition 218 and
26, the adoption and adjustment of public fees, rates and charges (including
sewer, water and solid waste rates), and has advised clients on the formation
and oversight of assessment districts, community facilities districts, and other
special financing mechanisms. As a litigator, Don has successfully defended
public agencies in matters involving due process, equal protection, freedom of
speech, government torts, inverse condemnation, public bidding and contract
disputes, and writs of mandamus including CEQA suits.  Don also has represented
private clients in real estate, contract, and business-related litigation. Prior
to becoming an attorney, Don served as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in
Yemen and also worked as an international educational consultant.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * California Special Districts Association
 * City Attorneys Association of Los Angeles County
 * Association of California Water Agencies


J. DAVID DARROCH

Pronouns: he, him, his A partner with Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP, David
Darroch practices in the area of construction disputes, litigation and
alternative dispute resolution.  For the past 20 years, David has focused his
practice primarily in the specialized field of construction law, construction
litigation and construction-related issues.  He represents public and private
entities in the area of power engineering, infrastructure, transportation,
wastewater, and industrial process engineering.  David has extensive expertise
counseling owners, construction firms, designers, contractors, subcontractors
and suppliers regarding construction change management and project disputes.  He
has experience assisting clients with dispute resolution boards, mediations, and
other informal dispute resolution methods and has extensive experience in
prosecuting and defending claims and trying cases to verdict, including jury
trials, court trials, arbitrations and appeals in construction matters large and
small. David is admitted to practice in the State and Federal courts of
California, and has been admitted pro hac vice in various other jurisdictions in
the United States.
 * Construction Law
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California

 * American Bar Association
 * Alameda County Bar Association
 * Bar Association of San Francisco


DOUGLAS W. DAL CIELO

Douglas Dal Cielo specializes in general business litigation and family law. 
Areas of expertise include real estate, business torts, employment litigation,
and corporate disputes.  He possesses significant trial experience, including
eight jury trials and over 15 court trials.  Doug’s last two jury trials
resulted in verdicts for his clients in excess of $12 million and $4.2 million
on behalf of plaintiffs.  He has taken over 300 depositions, and served as a
court appointed arbitrator and mediator.  Recent accomplishments include the
settlement of a $5 million shareholder dispute on behalf of the minority
shareholder, a $3.2 million wrongful termination and fraud claim on behalf of
the plaintiffs, a $1.6 million mechanic’s lien foreclosure action on behalf of
the claimant contractor, and a $12 million jury verdict on behalf of a plaintiff
in an elder abuse claim in Santa Clara County.
 * Family Law & Trusts and Probate
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * California State Bar Association
 * Santa Clara County Bar Association


DEIRDRE JOAN COX

Pronouns: she, her, hers For over twenty years, Deirdre Joan Cox has practiced
in the construction and public contracting field.  Joan's practice involves
representing public agencies in complex construction matters, including
strategizing development and procurement approaches, drafting construction
documents, including performance and payment bonds and parent guarantees,
advising clients during the course of construction, claims review and analysis,
and claims resolution, including mediation, arbitration, and litigation.  She
assists in the resolution of issues that occur at the intersections between
funding, design, acquisition, and construction.  She serves as special counsel
to a number of local agencies and general counsel for the Olivehurst Public
Utility District.  She has extensive litigation experience in state and federal
court.  Her efforts, from a project’s early stages through trial and beyond,
allow public agencies to deliver public projects on time and on budget. Her
experience includes multi-million dollar projects for cities, counties, and
other municipalities, including hospitals, community college, school and special
districts, and other commercial facilities in myriad bond funded projects,
individual projects, and capital improvement programs.  She has particular
experience in lease revenue bond financing, Mello-Roos bonds, public private
partnerships, and other financing mechanisms. Joan has extensive experience
working with public entity clients to develop construction project manuals: 
“front-end” construction documents for all types of public works projects using
delivery methods that involve competitive bidding utilizing lowest responsive,
responsible bidding and “best value” concepts for traditional hard bid /
design-bid-build, design-build, construction manager at risk, and
lease-leaseback delivery mechanisms. She also drafts contracts for architects,
engineers and other professionals. Her work includes preparing the project
documentation including drafting, negotiation, structuring of delivery and
procurement approaches and risk evaluation.  She also assists public entity
clients in administering the bidding process and facilitating the defense and
handling of bid protests, subcontractor listing, project setup, and related
issues that arise during the bidding / proposal process including attending
hearings and assisting in preparing findings and conclusions. Joan also has
experience in inverse condemnation and California land use, development and CEQA
law, having represented both private and public entities in connection with
flood control disputes, water rights, and environmental impact review/mitigated
negative declaration issues. Joan received her J.D. with honors from Golden Gate
University School of Law.  She served as a Settlement Commissioner for the
Alameda County Superior Court, a fee arbitrator and a private mediator.  She
taught contract law at East Bay Law School for ten years.  She has also taught
Public Finance and Law & Economics at Golden Gate University.  Over the last 12
years, Joan served as the Planning Commissioner, Councilmember, and Mayor of the
City of Sausalito.
 * Construction Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * American Bar Association
 * California Women Lawyers
 * Bar Association of San Francisco
 * Contra Costa County Bar Association
 * Alameda County Bar Association
 * Women Lawyers of Alameda County
 * National Association of Women in Construction


MELISSA M. COWAN

Pronouns: she, her, hers Melissa M. Cowan is a highly skilled litigator with
decades of experience representing a broad spectrum of clients.  She has
achieved success for first-party insurers, third-party administrators, and
employee benefit plans at national, state, and local levels.  Her results –
including two separate jury verdicts for punitive damages against fraudulent
insureds – have contributed to the development of insurance law within the Ninth
Circuit and California. Her broad expertise includes long-term care, disability,
accident, life, health, critical care, and ERISA. Her practice also includes
representation of public and private employers in discrimination, retaliation,
wage and hour class action, and sexual abuse matters. Melissa combines her deep
experience in investigating and uncovering fraud with her litigation expertise
to advise and represent clients on fraud-related issues.  She is accredited as a
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). As a veteran speaker at national and regional
forums, Melissa strives for new ways to keep fraud, best practices, and industry
issues reasonable and thought-provoking.  Her special interests include
fraud/false claims, “bad faith”, ERISA, litigation tactics, legal trends, and
claims practices. Melissa serves on Burke’s Personnel Committee and co-leads the
Insurance Practice Group.  She is likewise an active member of the DEI Committee
and Education Sub-Committee. When not working tirelessly for clients, Melissa
enjoys adventures with her family, musical theater, and UCLA Bruin volleyball
and basketball.  Her views on life and the law are exemplified in the
philosophies of the great UCLA Coach John Wooden, who said, “It takes time to
create excellence. If it could be done quickly, more people would do it.”
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Defense Research Institute
 * International Claim Association
 * The Association of Life Insurance Counsel
 * Association of Certified Fraud Examiners


TIMOTHY ALAN COLVIG

Pronouns: he, him, his Timothy A. Colvig is recognized as an expert in the
fields of insurance, environmental, and construction law.  He has over 30 years
of legal experience litigating and resolving disputes in a broad range of
disciplines, including real estate, landlord-tenant, business transactions,
unfair competition, corporate, and employment law matters.
 * Construction Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation
 * Litigation
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California

 * American Bar Association, Construction Industry Forum Committee
 * American Bar Association, Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee
 * American Bar Association, Natural Resources & Environment Section
 * American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
 * American Bar Association, Litigation Section
 * State Bar of California, Litigation Section
 * State Bar of California, Environmental Law Section


SUSAN E. COLEMAN

Pronouns: she, her, hers Susan Coleman is a Partner at Burke, Williams &
Sorensen LLP with 27 years litigation experience and a strong background in
constitutional law/civil rights litigation and employment law. Susan has
defended individuals and officials, governmental entities and corporations in 50
civil jury trials in federal and state courts throughout California, with very
successful results (over 95% defense verdicts).  Susan holds an Advocate status
within the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Susan worked for the
Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, for over 13 years. Since
going to private practice, Susan has represented various entities such as the
cities of Alhambra, Burbank, Hemet, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Modesto, Newport
Beach, Pasadena, Simi Valley, Stockton and Riverside; the county of San
Bernardino; the GEO Group; Management & Training Corporation; Alcohol Monitoring
Systems Inc., the Bureau of Prisons, the California Department of Corrections
and Rehabilitation, and those entities’ individual employees and executives.
Susan also has extensive experience with class action litigation, including
several class actions on behalf of the Department of Corrections, and she
represented the Board of Parole Hearings in a lengthy bench trial involving the
Americans with Disabilities Act (Armstrong v. Davis).  In the last few years,
Susan has defeated class certification in cases for various clients. Susan has
specialties in certain unique areas of law including officer-involved shootings
and other uses of force, alleged wrongful conviction cases and ankle-monitor
related litigation (for companies such as AMS, B.I. Inc., and LCA Inc.).  She
also conducts personnel investigations as needed for clients. Susan has
consistently taken measures to ensure excellent representation of her clients in
a cost-effective manner.  For example, she recommends LVN review and summary of
medical records (providing a medical expertise at a fraction of attorney billing
rates); she keeps brief banks on common areas of law in order to avoid
re-inventing the wheel for each case; and she takes every effort to eliminate
defendants and/or claims from the case at the earliest opportunity, prevailing
on many cases at the motion to dismiss or demurrer stage.  While many cases
cannot be defeated at the initial motion stage, Susan has had excellent results
in prevailing in summary judgment and at trial.  She is also in favor of, and
actively pursues, measures to decrease future litigation, such as pursuing the
award and recovery of costs after prevailing, having plaintiffs declared as
vexatious litigants where appropriate, or seeking recovery of fees and costs
under FRCP 41(d) for prior lawsuits when there are successive similar lawsuits.
During law school, Susan served as Articles Editor for the Santa Clara Law
Review. In addition, she held a clerkship for the California Court of Appeal,
Fourth District for Justice J. Smith. After obtaining her J.D., Susan attended
San Francisco State University’s Master’s in Tax program from 1994-1996,
completing all but thesis.
 * Constitutional Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Law Enforcement Defense
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of the United States
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California
 * United States District Court for the District of Colorado

 * American Board of Trial Advocates, Associate
 * President, Federal Bench Executive Committee, California State Bar – 2016,
   Vice President - 2015, and member 2012-2014
 * Member, Public Safety Committee, League of California Cities, 2013 - 2014


J. LEAH CASTELLA

Pronouns: she, her, hers Leah Castella is a partner in Burke’s Oakland office.
She received her J.D. with Honors from the University of Texas, Austin in 1999
and her B.A. in Philosophy from Lewis & Clark College in 1995. She currently
serves as the General Counsel of Ironhouse Sanitary District, Valley of the Moon
Water District, and Central Contra Costa Sanitary District and as the Assistant
General Counsel for Union Sanitary District. As a seasoned public law lawyer,
Leah is familiar with the full range of laws affecting California public
agencies, including the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, the Political Reform
Act, Proposition 218, and the Public Trust Doctrine. She has particular
expertise advising public agencies on governance, rate setting, election law,
and constitutional law. Leah is also an experienced litigator and appellate
advocate. She has handled dozens of cases in state and federal court on behalf
of public and private clients. And she has successfully argued over a dozen
cases in the California Court of Appeals.  Her areas of expertise include
eminent domain, inverse condemnation, regulatory takings, municipal finance,
government ethics and transparency, and constitutional challenges to local
legislative enactments.
 * Eminent Domain
 * Financial Institutions and Bankruptcy
 * Inverse Condemnation
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of the United States
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Women’s Debate Institute, founder and Board Chair
 * Bay Area Urban Debate League, Board Member


FABIO R. CABEZAS

Pronouns: he, him, his Fabio R. Cabezas consistently brings an advocate’s skill,
common sense judgment, and high energy to his practice. He takes pride in being
a litigation attorney. He has taken matters from their start through trial and
appeal. He has represented clients throughout California in the areas of real
estate, business, insurance, intellectual property, and employment litigation
for over twenty-five years. He has litigated cases in state and federal courts
throughout California. He has argued cases before Appellate Courts in California
and has litigated cases in Bankruptcy Courts in California.
 * Intellectual Property
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central, Eastern, Northern, and Southern
   Districts of California
 * United States District Court for the District of Colorado

 * Orange County Bar Association
 * OCBA Community Outreach Committee
 * Orange County Hispanic Bar Association, Past President
 * St. Thomas More Society of Orange County, Past President


JOSEPH P. BUCHMAN

Pronouns: he, him, his

Joseph Buchman maintains a diverse litigation and transactional practice, acts
as general counsel to Montebello Land & Water Co., a mutual benefit non-profit
water company, and as counsel to the Los Angeles Unified School District School
Construction Bond Citizens' Oversight Committee.

Joseph has extensive background in public, corporate, business, and real estate
matters, acquired from years of experience representing and advising clients in
bankruptcy matters, eminent domain, real estate and title litigation, purchase
and sale transactions, financing transactions, probate and estate planning, tort
litigation, collection actions, contract disputes, and election litigation.

 * Eminent Domain and Inverse Condemnation
 * Financial Institutions and Bankruptcy
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California
 * United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Los Angeles Bankruptcy Forum


THOMAS B. BROWN

Pronouns: he, him, his Thomas Brown has been with Burke since 2010.  He served
for eight years as the City Attorney for the City of St. Helena, and 12 years as
the City Attorney for the City of Napa, prior to which he served as Senior
Deputy City Attorney for the City of Berkeley. Tom represents public agency
clients.  His practice focuses on all aspects of municipal law.  He has
extensive experience advising clients and litigating in land use, zoning and
planning, the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), real property
entitlements, police power, charter cities, municipal taxation, Brown Act,
Public Records Act, code enforcement, intergovernmental relations, grand juries,
elections, initiatives, and referenda. Tom has successfully litigated several
cases involving issues under California’s open meetings law, the Brown Act.  He
has provided training under the Brown Act and the Public Records Act, including
for the League of California Cities at its annual New Mayors and Councilmembers
orientation meeting each January. Tom was a visiting professor at Sonoma State
University where he taught "California Land Use Law."  He is a past President of
the City Attorneys Department of the League of California Cities.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of the United States
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California

 * League of California Cities - President, City Attorneys Department, 2014-15
 * League of California Cities - First Vice-President, City Attorneys
   Department, 2013-14
 * League of California Cities - Second Vice-President, City Attorneys
   Department, 2012-13
 * League of California Cities - City Attorneys Department Nominating Committee
 * League of California Cities - Chair, Legal Advocacy Committee
 * League of California Cities - Member, Legal Advocacy Committee
 * League of California Cities - City Attorneys Department Municipal Law
   Handbook Committee, 2010-2012
 * League of California Cities - Co-Chair, City Attorneys Department Medical
   Marijuana Subcommittee, 2011-2017


SUSAN E. BLOCH

Susan Bloch specializes in affordable housing, economic development, and
transactional real estate matters.  Susan has over 25 years of experience
representing private and non-profit developers and public agencies, including
cities, counties, housing authorities, and redevelopment successor agencies in
transactions involving the acquisition, development, financing, leasing and sale
of residential, commercial and industrial properties; and the development and
implementation of affordable housing policies and programs. Susan has provided
special counsel services on real estate and affordable housing transactions for
Alameda County, Placer County, the Santa Clara County Housing Authority, the
cities of Oakland, San Jose, Union City, San Leandro, Mountain View, Morgan
Hill, San Carlos, Daly City, South San Francisco, Petaluma, Napa, Pleasanton,
Redwood City, Dublin, Cathedral City, Rialto, Hemet, and Livermore, and other
public entities including Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the Community
Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, Renewal Enterprise District,
Sacramento Regional Transit District, East Bay Regional Parks District, the
Transportation Agency of Monterey County, and the Moraga-Orinda Fire District. 
Her nonprofit clients include Veterans Housing Development Corporation,
Christian Church Homes, YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley, the California Odd
Fellows Foundation, and the Hilarita-Tiburon Ecumenical Association. Before
beginning her practice as an attorney, Susan served as Program Manager with the
Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency and as a consultant to the
Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation and the National Economic Development and
Law Center.  She has been a speaker at conferences and seminars sponsored by the
League of California Cities, the California Continuing Education of the Bar
(CEB), the Real Property Section of the California State Bar, the California
Redevelopment Association, Housing California, the Northern California
Association for Non-Profit Housing, California Association for Local Economic
Development (CALED), the California Association of Local Housing Finance
Agencies (Cal-ALHFA), the Bay Area City Attorneys Association (BACA) and the
City Attorneys Association of Los Angeles County (CAALAC).  She has served as a
member of the Board of Directors of California Association of Local Housing
Finance Agencies since 2014.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California

 * State Bar of California, Real Property Law Section
 * Los Angeles County Bar Association, Real Estate Section
 * American Bar Association, State and Local Government Law Section
 * American Bar Association, Affordable Housing and Community Development Forum


MICHAEL G. BIDDLE

Pronouns: he, him, his Michael brings nearly thirty years of experience to his
practice advising public agencies on all matters of municipal law while
emphasizing real estate acquisition, site remediation, land use, CEQA, land
disposition and development, and redevelopment dissolution.  Michael served the
City of Emeryville as its City Attorney from 1994 through 2015, after serving as
its Assistant City Attorney for the previous five years, and routinely advised
elected and appointed officials, City management and staff on a broad range of
issues relating to economic redevelopment, hazardous materials remediation,
affordable housing, planning and zoning, public contracting, public art, public
finance (taxes, impact fees, assessments), governance (Ralph M. Brown Act,
Public Records Act, Political Reform Act), and elections.  Michael was also
responsible for the management of several site remediation projects undertaken
by the City and its former Redevelopment Agency, as well as the City’s
regulatory Brownfields Program in coordination with the Department of Toxic
Substances Control and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Michael is a
member of the Post-Redevelopment Task Force organized by the City Attorney’s
division of the League of California Cities to provide guidance to cities and
successor agencies on redevelopment dissolution matters.
 * Environmental Land Use and Natural Resources
 * Public Law
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California

 * League of California Cities, City Attorney's Division Post-Redevelopment Task
   Force
 * California Bar Association, Environmental Law and Public Law Sections


MICHAEL B. BERNACCHI

Michael Bernacchi is a trial attorney whose practice is devoted to both
commercial litigation and defense of life, health, disability, and
property/casualty insurance claims.  He has engaged in civil litigation and
trials in state and federal courts for over twenty years.  He has tried or
second-chaired numerous cases to a conclusion.  His business litigation
experience includes complex business disputes, including actions under Business
and Professions Code §17200, and litigation involving Proposition 64.  He
specializes in defending bad faith and ERISA claims but also has experience in
property and casualty cases and environmental coverage disputes, recently
successfully litigating several such cases on behalf of Beneficial Fire and
Casualty Insurance Company. Mike received his B.A. degree from the University of
California, Berkeley, in 1988 (cum laude in political science) and his J.D.
degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles in 1992.  While at Loyola, Mike was
a note and comment editor for the Loyola Law Review.
 * Insurance Coverage and Litigation
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California


DENISE S. BAZZANO

Pronouns: she, her, hers Denise Bazzano is a member of Burke’s Public Law
Practice Group where she leverages her multi-faceted experience in municipal law
and litigation to assist public entities in a variety of legal and regulatory
matters. Denise regularly advises city councils, planning commissions, boards
and staff on a wide range of both transactional and litigated matters including
issues relating to code enforcement, cannabis regulation, contracts, land use,
public works projects, animal control, purchasing, and liability exposure. 
Additionally, she provides regular advice regarding compliance with the Brown
Act, the California and U.S. Constitutions, the Subdivision Map Act, and the
Public Records Act.  Denise also provides AB 1234 training as well as
specialized training in the Public Records Act and other areas of public law.
Denise also advises clients on a broad range of land use and planning matters,
including advising public agencies on issues related to CEQA compliance, land
use approval procedures, and processing of land use applications for both
commercial and residential development projects.  Denise also provides advice on
real estate transactions and has experience drafting and negotiating purchase
and sale agreements, lease agreements, lease terminations, easements and
development agreements. Denise has extensive experience in code enforcement
issues and regularly advises city councils, commissions, and staff on the
interpretation and application of administrative laws and procedures, zoning
regulations, as well as criminal enforcement of municipal codes.  Additionally,
Denise advises clients on constitutional considerations relating to a public
agency’s enforcement efforts.  She has worked with several cities to develop
programs relating to the regulation of special industries such as massage and
cannabis.  Due to Denise’s skills and experience, she is able to provide both
advisory and litigation services to her clients on enforcement issues relating
to blighted property and substandard buildings.  For each of her clients, Denise
works closely with staff to develop an enforcement strategy that complies with
legal requirements and achieves the code enforcement goals of the client. Denise
is currently a member of the League of California Cities Cannabis Regulation
Committee.
 * Public Law
 * Tort Claims and Products Liability

 * State Bar of California

 * Alameda County Bar Association, Public Law Section
 * Contra Costa County City Attorney's Association


DAPHNE M. ANNEET, AWI-CH

Pronouns: she, her, hers Daphne Anneet is an experienced litigator, labor
negotiator, and investigator.  Daphne is Chair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion Committee and Vice-Chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment
Practice Group.  She has also served as a member of the firm’s Management
Committee. A skilled litigator, Daphne has achieved excellent results for
clients in state and federal court, as well as in arbitrations and
administrative proceedings.  She represents public and private entities in
matters ranging from class actions, discrimination, harassment, whistleblower
retaliation, wage and hour, worker misclassification, pension, civil rights,
unfair labor practice disputes, false claims, and disciplinary appeals.  As lead
defense counsel in numerous class actions and complex litigation, Daphne has a
proven track record of achieving successful results in a variety of creative and
cost-effective ways.  A graduate of the LA County Bar Association’s Trial
Advocacy Project, Daphne has served as a pro bono prosecutor. Daphne serves as
the lead negotiator for employers during collective bargaining.  She has
successfully negotiated challenging and sensitive issues such as contracting out
of fire services and waste management services, salary and health benefit
concessions, furloughs, layoffs, changes to retiree medical benefits, and
changes to pension benefit formulas and contributions.  Daphne also has
experience representing employers during fact finding proceedings. As an
investigator, Daphne has earned the distinction of Association of Workplace
Investigators Certificate Holder (AWI-CH). She conducts independent
investigations of complaints involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation,
workplace misconduct, and alleged conflicts of interest.  She also enjoys
training and has written and lectured on a wide array of employment issues for
many organizations at their annual training conferences and conventions. In
recent years, Daphne has taken on the role of General Counsel to local
commissions. She serves as General Counsel to the City of Coronado’s Civil
Service Commission.  She has also served as General Counsel to the Simi Valley
Disciplinary Appeal Board. A team builder and team player, Daphne brings
together superior litigation skills and subject matter expertise within the firm
to develop winning litigation strategies.  Daphne thrives on developing a deep
knowledge of the client, its mission, structure and governance, practices and
culture, and expectations of defense counsel.  Her success is rooted in her
proactive approach and deep commitment to building strong relationships with
every member of the defense team, providing regular client communication, and
building consensus on the defense strategy. Daphne received her Juris Doctor,
magna cum laude, from Southwestern Law School, where she was awarded the
Outstanding Woman Legal Graduate Award. She has been honored to serve on
Southwestern’s Board of Trustees. Daphne is a Past Executive Committee Member of
the Labor and Employment Law Section of the LA County Bar Association, an
affiliate member of CALPELRA, and a member of the Association of Workplace
Investigators.  She is a Past President of the National Association of Women
Business Owners, LA Chapter.  She has supported her local community as a soccer
coach and member of the boards of AYSO - American Youth Soccer Organization and
MHS Arts Angels.
 * Education Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Labor Relations
 * Law Enforcement Defense
 * Litigation
 * Public Law
 * Workplace Investigations

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California

 * California Public Employer Labor Relations Association, Affiliate Member
 * Association of Workplace Investigators
 * Labor and Employment Law Section of the LACBA, Past Executive Board Member
 * National Association of Women Business Owners-LA (NAWBO LA), Past President


GREGORY R. AKER

Pronouns: he, him, his Gregory Aker specializes in the litigation and trial of
complex business disputes.  During his more than thirty years as an attorney,
Greg’s litigation practice has included almost every major area of the law. Greg
has represented clients in litigation involving business and commercial contract
disputes, bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, violation of state and federal
securities laws, unfair competition, the protection of trade secrets, secured
transactions and commercial law, real estate transactions and land use disputes,
evictions and other landlord/tenant disputes, wrongful termination and
employment discrimination. In the area of financial services litigation, Greg
has handled cases involving commercial loans, bankruptcy claims, foreclosures,
securities processing services, lender liability actions, deposit accounts,
checks, wire transfers and other bank operations matters, the interpretation and
enforcement of factoring agreements, and intercreditor agreements. Greg has
handled major litigation involving a variety of construction projects
nationwide, including courthouses, power plants, condominium developments, and
hotels.  He has represented construction contractors and project owners, as well
as architects and engineers, in litigation, arbitration, and mediation.
 * Construction Law
 * Employment Law and Litigation
 * Financial Institutions and Bankruptcy
 * Litigation
 * Public Law

 * State Bar of California
 * Supreme Court of the United States
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Southern District of California

 * Bar Association of San Francisco
 * Alameda County Bar Association


BRIAN M. AFFRUNTI

Pronouns: he, him, his Brian Affrunti has represented both private companies and
public entities in a broad array of complex civil litigation matters.  Brian has
extensive experience representing clients in litigation in both federal and
state courts in disputes involving real estate, employment, business disputes,
intellectual property and products liability. During his fifteen year career,
Brian has gained significant trial experience, having tried numerous jury cases,
court trials and binding arbitrations.  Brian also has considerable experience
in trial preparation, discovery, and law and motion. Brian was recognized for
his achievements in Moot Court while attending the University of California,
Hastings.
 * Intellectual Property
 * Litigation
 * Real Estate and Business Law

 * State Bar of California
 * United States District Court for the Central District of California
 * United States District Court for the Eastern District of California
 * United States District Court for the Northern District of California

 * Santa Clara County Bar Association


SEE ALL PEOPLE RESULTS

SEE LESS PEOPLE RESULTS

PRACTICES ( RESULTS)


CALIFORNIA CITY ATTORNEY


CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENTAL ETHICS


CALIFORNIA PUBLIC TRANSACTIONS


CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL LAW


EMINENT DOMAIN


INVERSE CONDEMNATION


PUBLIC LAW


REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS LAW


EMPLOYMENT LAW AND LITIGATION


WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS


ENVIRONMENTAL, LAND USE, AND NATURAL RESOURCES


INSURANCE COVERAGE AND LITIGATION


CONSTRUCTION LAW


LABOR RELATIONS


EDUCATION LAW


LITIGATION


INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY


CONSTITUTIONAL LAW


DATA PRIVACY & CYBER SECURITY


TORT CLAIMS AND PRODUCTS LIABILITY


LAW ENFORCEMENT DEFENSE


FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND BANKRUPTCY


FAMILY LAW


SEE ALL PRACTICES RESULTS

SEE LESS PRACTICES RESULTS

RESULTS ( RESULTS)


JURY RETURNS VERDICT FOR EMPLOYER IN RACE/AGE/NATIONAL ORIGIN DISCRIMINATION
CLAIM


HOME HEALTH CARE COMPANY PREVAILS IN WRONGFUL TERMINATION LAWSUIT


BURKE SECURES JURY VERDICT IN RACE DISCRIMINATION CASE


ST. HELENA TRIUMPHS IN RENT STABILIZATION MEASURE


BURKE ATTORNEYS PREVAIL ON CUTTING-EDGE CEQA CHALLENGE


JURY TRIAL VICTORY IN JPA CONDEMNATION CASE


BURKE DEFENDS MAJOR CORPORATION FROM SUIT BY INJURED EMPLOYEE OF SUBCONTRACTOR


DEFENSE OF BAY AREA CITY IN FEDERAL COURT ACTION INVOLVING SECURITIES FRAUD
CLAIMS


COUNTY WINS WHISTLEBLOWER LAWSUIT


BURKE ASSISTS CITY OF SANTA CLARA IN BRINGING CITY PLACE TO LIFE


EMERYVILLE TRANSIT CENTER PROJECT LEAVES THE STATION


EMPLOYEE FIRED FOR SELLING TVS AT AN UNAUTHORIZED DISCOUNT, NOT BECAUSE OF
GENDER


SEE ALL RESULTS

SEE LESS RESULTS RESULTS

EVENTS ( RESULTS)


PARTNERS NIRA DOHERTY AND ANNA SHIMKO TO PRESENT AT CLE INTERNATIONAL CALIFORNIA
LAW USE LAW CONFERENCE


FROM SURVIVING TO THRIVING: FAMILY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT AANHPI
STUDENTS IN TIMES OF TURMOIL


PREPARING FOR A POST PANDEMIC FUTURE: LEVERAGING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO
NURTURE STUDENT WELLNESS


MASTERS IN TRIAL™


EIGHT BURKE, WILLIAMS & SORENSEN, LLP PRESENTATION TEAMS FEATURED AT CALPELRA
2023


BURKE EDUCATION AND WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS ATTORNEYS PRESENTER AT ACSA
PERSONNEL INSTITUTE 2023


SUSAN ARDUENGO AND SALLY NGUYEN TO PRESENT ‘NAVIGATING WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS’
TO INSTITUTE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT


ALAN SOZIO TO PRESENT AT THE CLE INTERNATIONAL CALIFORNIA EMINENT DOMAIN
CONFERENCE


SUCCESSFULLY MEDIATING REAL ESTATE CASES


CHARTER SCHOOL REFORM LEGISLATION: IMPLEMENTATION AND BEST PRACTICES


CONDUCTING WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO OBTAINING DEFENSIBLE
AND IMPARTIAL FINDINGS


DECIPHERING THE EDUCATION CODE: TRANSLATING LAWS INTO SOUND PERSONNEL PRACTICES
FOR CERTIFICATED AND CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES


THE MERITOCRACY MYTH: PIPELINE DEVELOPMENT AND ADVANCEMENT FOR DIVERSE
CANDIDATES


WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS BASICS: EVIDENCE, INTERVIEWING & CREDIBILITY


MOVE OVER, UNCERTAINTY! UNDERSTANDING THE MOU


THE CHARTER SCHOOL LEGAL LANDSCAPE: TRANSLATING COURT CASES INTO AUTHORIZER BEST
PRACTICES


AB 1234


ALAN SOZIO IS A FEATURED PRESENTER AT APPRAISAL INSTITUTE NORCAL APPRAISAL
INSTITUTE SPRING LITIGATION CONFERENCE


JOAN COX PRESENTS “UNDERSTANDING CALIFORNIA PUBLIC CONTRACTS AND PROCUREMENT
REGULATIONS” LORMAN CONTINUING EDUCATION WEBINAR


A ROADMAP TO HANDLING WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS


DAPHNE ANNEET TO PRESENT AT LACBA 2023 DIVERSITY & INCLUSION CONFERENCE


JOAN COX AND MAX BLUM PRESENT TO CAL CITIES PUBLIC WORKS INSTITUTE 2023


MELISSA COWAN PRESENTS ON LITIGATING LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE FRAUD TO LTC
INTERNATIONAL FORUM


HOW TO BREAK INTO THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY


SALLY NGUYEN TO MODERATE THE ASSOCIATION OF WORKPLACE INVESTIGATORS VIRTUAL
SEMINAR SERIES


CHARTER SCHOOL REFORM LEGISLATION: AN OVERVIEW


A ROADMAP TO HANDLING WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES


NEGOTIATION AND EFFECTIVE DOCUMENTATION OF DISCIPLINARY ISSUES


UNDERSTANDING THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE BARGAINING TABLE


SALARY SCHEDULES: A DEEP DIVE


HOUSING THE BAY WEBINAR: LEGISLATIVE RECAP 2023


UNDERSTANDING THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE BARGAINING TABLE


WORKPLACE HARASSMENT & DISCRIMINATION: WHAT EVERY HR PROFESSIONAL NEEDS TO KNOW


THE DOMINO EFFECT ON GOODWILL AND FF&E (FURNITURE, FIXTURES, AND EQUIPMENT)


HIGHEST AND BEST USE – THE DOMINO EFFECT ON GOODWILL AND FF&E


FROM ANTI-ASIAN HATE TO SOLIDARITY: HOW SCHOOLS CAN COMBAT RACIAL BULLYING
THROUGH ETHNIC STUDIES (PANELIST)


A ROADMAP TO HANDLING WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS


YOU HAVE THE MOVES LIKE JAGGER, BUT DO YOU HAVE THE MOVES TO HANDLE THE POWER OF
THE JEDI?


CLEARING THE AIR: WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH CANNABIS IN THE WORKPLACE NOW AND WHERE
THE WINDS MIGHT BLOW


EFFECTIVE BARGAINING STRATEGIES DURING THE GREAT RESIGNATION


LEGAL STRATEGIES 2022: COUNTING DOWN THE YEAR’S TOP HITS


WHEN DOES IMPLICIT BIAS BECOME EXPLICIT BIAS? UNDERSTANDING AND ELIMINATING
STEREOTYPES AND DISCRIMINATION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL WORKPLACE


TEMPORARY AND LONG TERMS SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESSNESS – JOAN COX TO ADDRESS CITY
ATTORNEY’S ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY


A ROADMAP TO HANDLING WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS FOR PUBLIC ENTITIES


CHARTER SCHOOL AUTHORIZING AND OVERSIGHT FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT AND COUNTY OFFICE
OF EDUCATION BOARD MEMBERS


WORKPLACE CULTURE AND BIASES UNDER THE MICROSCOPE


GETTING AHEAD OF THE BALL: PRACTICAL TIPS FOR WHEN YOU ARE CONSIDERING EMINENT
DOMAIN


PUBLIC CONTRACTING: PURCHASING REQUIREMENTS AND RENEWABLE ENERGY/ ENERGY
EFFICIENT PROJECTS


TRAVERSING VIRTUAL MEETINGS


UNIVERSAL TK: WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY KINDERGARTEN TEACHER


SALARY SCHEDULES: A DEEP DIVE


NEGOTIATION AND EFFECTIVE DOCUMENTATION OF DISCIPLINARY ISSUES


PROMOTING BOARD/ SUPERINTENDENT COORDINATION ON IMPLEMENTING CHARTER SCHOOL
REFORM LEGISLATION


BURKE PARTNER ALAN SOZIO TO PRESENT AT THE 24TH ANNUAL EMINENT DOMAIN CONFERENCE


ESSENTIAL HOUR: YOUR FIRST PUBLIC MEETING – BROWN ACT BASICS


ADVANCED TRAINING IN THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT


EXPERT TESTIMONY: PREPARATION FOR EXAMINATION & ANALYZING TESTIMONY


SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW: LEGAL LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC


WHEN GRAY IS YOUR PRIMARY COLOR: MANAGING INVESTIGATIONS FOR LITIGATION


EFFECIVELY MANAGING UP: HOW TO WORK WITH CITY COUNCILS, BOARDS OF COMMISSIONERS,
ELECTED OFFICIALS AND CEOS


NAVIGATING THROUGH THE FOG OF FITNESS FOR DUTY EVALUATIONS


LAW ENFORCEMENT TRENDS: HOW SHIFTING PUBLIC OPINION ON POLICING IMPACTS AGENCY
POLICIES, LITIGATION STRATEGIES, AND DISCIPLINARY DECISIONS


WHEN ALL YOU SEE IS RED: EMPATHY FATIGUE IN THE POST-PANDEMIC WORKPLACE


LEGAL STRATEGIES 2021


CALPELRA SPARKS/INVESTIGATIONS – IN THE PUBLIC EYE: MANAGING THE SPECTRUM OF
INTERESTS DURING INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING ELECTED OFFICIALS


EVALUATING PSYCHOLOGICAL FITNESS FOR DUTY IN SCHOOL EMPLOYEES


TRAVELING THE LONG WINDING ROAD: PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR ENGAGING IN THE
INTERACTIVE PROCESS UNDER ADA/FEHA


NEIGHBORHOOD LAW PROGRAMS: GENERATE REVENUE, REDUCE BLIGHT AND CRIME


NEIGHBORHOOD LAW PROGRAMS: GENERATE REVENUE, REDUCE BLIGHT AND CRIME


RECORDS RETENTION TRAINING


CREATING WORKPLACES AND PRACTICES FREE FROM GENDER IDENTITY BIAS


RUTGARD V. CITY OF LOS ANGELES AND BEYOND


DISRUPTING THE NOAH’S ARK APPROACH TO DEI: CREATING A CULTURE OF INCLUSION


STANDING UP TO STEREOTYPES AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ASIAN-AMERICANS/PACIFIC
ISLANDERS


A PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT
WITHIN THE LEGAL PROFESSION


DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION AND THE INTERACTIVE PROCESS


DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION AND THE INTERACTIVE PROCESS


JOB JABS: COVID-19 VACCINES AND THE WORKPLACE


HOMELESSNESS: MOVING BEYOND STREETS AND PARKS


BROWN ACT ESSENTIALS


TOP 10 BROWN ACT COMPLIANCE TIPS


CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCIDENT CLAIMS


MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES RELATED TO DISTANCE LEARNING


GETTING YOUR PROPERTY BACK


THE FFCRA IS EXPIRING ON DECEMBER 31, 2020. NOW WHAT?


CAL/OSHA COVID-19 EMERGENCY TEMPORARY STANDARDS


NEW CHARTER SCHOOL LEGISLATION: THE LOOK OF REFORM


CLIENT WEBINAR: TOP TEN AB 1505 IMPLEMENTATION TIPS


THE WOMEN IN LEGAL & CORPORATE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT [VIRTUAL]: LOS ANGELES


GETTING YOUR PROPERTY BACK: RUTGARD AND CCP SECTION 1245.245


WHAT DATA ON THE USE OF FORCE, JURY VERDICTS, AND THE PANDEMIC CAN TELL US ABOUT
POLICE LITIGATION IN 2020


AVOIDING DISASTROUS RESPONSES TO A DISASTER: RECURRING TOPICS DURING COVID-19


HAVING YOUR DAY IN COURT: ADVOCATING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION


PRACTICE ETHICS UPDATE: MORE ETHICS, MORE DILEMMAS


DECIPHERING THE EDUCATION CODE: TRANSLATING LAWS INTO SOUND BARGAINING PRACTICES
FOR CERTIFICATED AND CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES


EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES TO INCREASE DIVERSITY


WHEN DOES IMPLICIT BIAS BECOME EXPLICIT BIAS? UNDERSTANDING AND ELIMINATING
STEREOTYPES AND DISCRIMINATION IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL WORKPLACE


A MUNICIPAL FINANCE SURVIVAL GUIDE TO THE PANDEMIC


CJPIA | RISK MANAGEMENT EDUCATIONAL FORUM


BROWN ACT BASICS


CHARTER AUTHORIZER SUMMER UPDATE FOR FIRM CLIENTS NO. 2: SB 98 AND THE
CONTINUING SAGA OF THE “CONTINUING CHARTER SCHOOL”


CHARTER AUTHORIZER SUMMER UPDATE FOR FIRM CLIENTS


CALPELRA 2020: AGENTS OF CHANGE UNLEASH YOUR SUPERPOWERS!


AB 1505 – NEW CHARTER REFORM LEGISLATION WEBINAR


UNDERSTANDING THE BROWN ACT


UNDERSTANDING THE BROWN ACT


PUBLIC CONTRACTING SEMINARS


CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS AND DISPUTES: PREPARING TO RESOLVE CLAIMS AND RESUME WORK
AFTER COVID-19


SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENTATION


28TH ANNUAL IRWA CHAPTER 1 VALUATION SEMINAR


CHARTER PETITION REVIEW: GOVERNANCE


CHARTER PETITION – OVERVIEW OF PROCESS & LEGAL STANDARDS


CALIFORNIA’S CHARTER SCHOOL LAW


CAREER ADVANCEMENT OBSTACLES AND OPPORTUNITIES


EMPLOYMENT LAW BASICS FOR SUPERVISORS


ADVANCED BROWN ACT TRAINING


WHAT AB 5 MEANS FOR YOUR AGENCY (SO FAR)


PREPARING FOR CHARTER SCHOOL REFORMS – BOTH NEW AND FORTHCOMING


STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING:  NOT ONE SIZE
FITS ALL


SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING


IN SEARCH OF A CLEAR, BRIGHT-LINE RULE: MY VISIT TO THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME
COURT, KEYNOTE ADDRESS


IN SEARCH OF A CLEAR, BRIGHT-LINE RULE: MY VISIT TO THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT


NEGOTIATION AND EFFECTIVE DOCUMENTATION OF DISCIPLINARY ISSUES


DECIPHERING THE EDUCATION CODE: TRANSLATING LAW INTO SOUND BARGAINING PRACTICES


SALARY SCHEDULES: A DEEP DIVE


SUPERVISING IN THE UNIONIZED WORKPLACE


RECLAIMING PUBLIC EDUCATION: ENSURING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN CHARTER
SCHOOL OPERATIONS


YOUR LEGAL POWERS AND OBLIGATIONS


SCHOOL FACILITIES FORUM


CALPELRA SPARKS/EVALUATION-DISCIPLINE: DELIVERING THE HARD MESSAGE EFFECTIVELY


INVESTIGATIONS INSIDE AND OUT: PERSPECTIVES FROM EMPLOYMENT COUNSEL AND AN
OUTSIDE INVESTIGATOR ON PLANNING AND CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS


UNDERSTANDING PERB’S EXPANSIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS OF EMPLOYEE AND UNION
PROTECTED RIGHTS


WISER TODAY THAN YESTERDAY: LEARNING FROM COMMON INTERACTIVE PROCESS MISTAKES


STILL A THING: MANAGING SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE PUBLIC WORKPLACE


THE FORGOTTEN LAWS: 10 LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAWS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT


EMINENT DOMAIN 101: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE LAW AND POLICY


ADVANCED PUBLIC RECORDS ACT SEMINAR


CHARTER PETITION REVIEW


THIS AIN’T NO TELEGRAPH: SOCIAL MEDIA USE FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS


GRADE SEPARATIONS – RW CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS


OPEN AND PUBLIC – BROWN ACT WORKSHOP


DATA BREACHES AND EMPLOYEE DUTIES: NAVIGATING PERSONAL INFORMATION PITFALLS ON
THE PATHWAY TO SUCCESS


DECIPHERING THE EDUCATION CODE: TRANSLATING THE LAW INTO SOUND PERSONNEL
PRACTICES FOR CERTIFICATED & CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEES


PROMOTING STUDENT SAFETY: CHILD-ABUSE REPORTING AND SAFE PERSONNEL PRACTICES FOR
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSONNEL


DISCRETION – THE GATEWAY TO AND LIMITATION ON CEQA


WORKING WITH YOUR GOVERNING BOARD ON ALL THINGS CHARTER


MATERIAL REVISIONS – BEST PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES


THE ROLE OF BOARD POLICIES IN CHARTER AUTHORIZATION AND OVERSIGHT


PRA AND ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE: CITY OF HEMET V. CONCERNED CITIZENS OF HEMET


2019 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE


GOT SITES? PREPARING FOR SIXTH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENTS


“HOUSTON, DO WE HAVE A PROBLEM?” CALIFORNIA CONSUMER PRIVACY ACT OF 2018 AND
IMPLICATIONS FOR MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS


POWER OF THE PEN: CREATING EFFECTIVE WORKPLACE DOCUMENTATION


PUBLIC CONTRACTING 101/AWARDING CONTRACTS (PART 2)


CHANGING CULTURAL NORMS IN THE POST-“ME TOO” WORLD


IDENTIFYING AND MINIMIZING IMPLICIT BIAS IN THE LAND USE CONTEXT


PREJUDGMENT POSSESSION: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW


IDENTIFYING AND MINIMIZING IMPLICIT BIAS


SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAININGS


FOURTH AMENDMENT & RIGHTS OF ENTRY


4TH AMENDMENT AND RIGHTS OF ENTRY


THINK BEFORE YOU ACT: DIVERSITY AND UNCONSCIOUS BIAS IN THE WORKPLACE


A GUIDE TO REGULATING MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES


HANDLING WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS


CHARTER SCHOOL TRANSPARENCY


ETHICAL PRINCIPLES FOR CITY ATTORNEYS (EVEN MORE CHOCK FULL OF ETHICS)


CANNABIS ENFORCEMENT AND HOMELESS ISSUES


HOUSING LEGISLATION FRENZY CONTINUES


LEAVE IT TO THE EXPERTS: SELECTING AND EFFECTIVELY USING (OR CHALLENGING) EXPERT
WITNESSES


CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION (PART 2)


NAVIGATING SOCIAL MEDIA – A GUIDE FOR LOCAL AGENCY OFFICIALS


DIVERSITY AND UNCONSCIOUS BIAS


EHRLICH RESURRECTED: PUBLIC ART ORDINANCES ONCE AGAIN UNDER ATTACK


A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE ON ERISA CLAIM VALUATION


HOW SOCIAL SHOULD SPECIAL DISTRICTS BE?


NOLLAN/DOLAN DOCTRINE: PROPERTY OWNERS’ ATTEMPTS TO EXPAND TO LEGISLATIVE ACTS,
E.G., ADOPTION OF PUBLIC ART ORDINANCES


LEGISLATIVE UPDATE AND RHNA REFORM


NUTS AND BOLTS OF PROJECT APPROVALS


EXACTIONS


AUDITING YOUR MOU


BEST PRACTICES SURROUNDING SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS


THE LIFE AND AD&D LITIGATION UPDATE: THE 2019 SURVIVAL GUIDE


EXPOSING LTC FRAUD: FROM CLAIM DENIAL TO SUCCESSFUL VERDICT


WRCOG 28TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY


CALIFORNIA CONTRACT CITIES ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MUNICIPAL SEMINAR


QUIET TITLE ACTIONS


TRENDS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT LITIGATION


LEAGUE OF CA CITIES: CITY ATTORNEYS’ CONFERENCE


BEYOND TOLERANCE: CULTIVATING AN ELEVATED AND INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE


DATA ALONE IS NOT CEQA ANALYSIS


CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION (PART 1)


CANNABIS REGULATION UPDATE


LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE ISSUES AND TRENDS


INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE LAW CASE STUDY: THE SEVEN OAKS DAM


FACEBOOK VS. THE FIRST AMENDMENT


HOW TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN THE PUBLIC’S TRUST: PRACTICAL ETHICS AND THE LAW (AB
1234)


INTRODUCTION TO EMINENT DOMAIN


COMMUNICATIONS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT


PLANNING COMMISSION 101


SALARY SCHEDULES: A DEEP DIVE


DECIPHERING THE EDUCATION CODE – TRANSLATING LAW INTO SOUND BARGAINING PRACTICES


CHOOSE YOUR OWN DISABILITY ADVENTURE


#NOTYOUTOO: ADVANCED HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING FOR HR PROFESSIONALS AND
MANAGERS


DECERTIFICATION AND REPRESENTATION PETITIONS: OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE AN
AGENCY’S LABOR RELATIONS STRUCTURE


TECHNOLOGY AND PRIVACY IN THE WORKPLACE: A PRIMER FOR THE PUBLIC EMPLOYER


THE CALPERS AUDIT: DEMYSTIFYING THE PUBLIC AGENCY REVIEW PROCESS


HOW TO ACHIEVE STATE-OF-THE-ART CHARTER AUTHORIZER STATUS: SAN JOSE UNIFIED’S
AUTHORIZER BEST PRACTICES


SCHOOL DISTRICT CHALLENGES: CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES


WHAT YOU SAY ONLINE CAN AND WILL BE USED AGAINST YOU: SOCIAL MEDIA TRAINING FOR
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES


HUMAN RESOURCES BOOTCAMP


INTERPRETING AND VALUING EASEMENTS UNDER EMINENT DOMAIN


WORKERS COMPENSATION AND VARIOUS LEAVE LAWS


GOLDEN NUGGETS: BALANCING THE RIGHT TO KNOW VS. PRIVACY IN THE WORKPLACE


ELIMINATING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN POLICE RECORDS


GETTING TO YES – LEVERAGING STATE LAW TO SECURE PROJECT APPROVALS


RESURGENCE OF RENT CONTROL AND TENANT PROTECTION LAW IN CALIFORNIA


AVOIDING PAST MISTAKES AND AVERTING FUTURE PITFALLS: THE IMPORTANCE OF
DISABILITY AND MEDICAL LEAVE BASICS


PERB, COURT AND LEGISLATIVE DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING HR


WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR GOVERNMENT LAWYERS


NOT YOUR AVERAGE HARASSMENT TRAINING


BEYOND THE BASICS: ADVANCED HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING


DON’T BE BLINDED BY THE SUN: SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR


RACE TIME DECISIONS: CHOOSE YOUR OWN DISCIPLINE ADVENTURE


GREEN MEANS GO: MARIJUANA UPDATE


CHARTER RENEWAL DECISIONS


CHARTER SCHOOL ADMISSIONS LOTTERIES: ENSURING EQUITY & FAIRNESS IN THE
ADMISSIONS PROCESS


GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START: MANAGING NEW HIRE & ONBOARDING RISK


REVIEWING FOR QUALITY: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM


UNDERSTANDING THE MUSIC MODERNIZATION ACT AND LEGAL EFFORTS TO PROTECT
SONGWRITERS


FREE SPEECH, UNION ACTIVITY AND SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE FIRE SERVICE


LIFE AND AD&D LITIGATION UPDATE: THE GOOD, THE BAD, & THE UGLY


RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT: ALMOST 70 NEW WAYS TO BE MORE ETHICAL!


SERVICE ANIMAL TRAINING FOR BUSINESSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC


KNOW YOUR LAWS: WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE


UNDERSTANDING HISTORICAL AND TRIBAL CULTURAL RESOURCE ISSUES UNDER CEQA


MIND THE GAP: RECONCILING BOOMERS, GEN X, MILLENNIALS, AND GEN Z IN THE
WORKPLACE


CULTURAL CHANGES IN THE WORKPLACE IN THE #METOO ERA


WHERE ARE ALL THE WOMEN AT?


AB 1234 EDUCATION TRAINING


EMINENT DOMAIN: LEGAL, APPRAISAL & RIGHT OF WAY PERSPECTIVES


WOMEN IN LAW SERIES PANEL DISCUSSION: BATTLING BIAS


INCYMI: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE LAW


GETTING IT RIGHT: NEW RULES FOR NEW REDEVELOPMENT


HIGH STAKES & HIGH RISKS: STRATEGIES FOR HANDLING HIGH-PROFILE LITIGATION


THEFT OF TRADE SECRETS THROUGH DEPARTING EMPLOYEES


GENDER ISSUES IN POLICING FROM THE LAW AND ORDER PERSPECTIVE


BALLOT BOX PLANNING AND FINANCE


CALIFORNIA FAIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION (FPPC) UPDATE


EFFECTIVELY MEDIATING EMPLOYMENT DISPUTES: THE MEDIATOR’S PROSPECTIVE


AVOIDING SPEED BUMPS AT THE INTERSECTION OF LAND USE AND REAL ESTATE LAW


“GREEN IS THE NEW GOLD”: AN OVERVIEW AND UPDATE ON STATE AND LOCAL CANNABIS
LEGALIZATION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR REAL PROPERTY, LAND-USE, AND BUSINESS


DEMOLITION IN PROGRESS: A PANEL DISCUSSION ON BREAKING THROUGH BARRIERS TO
ADVANCEMENT IN COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LAW


THE FUTURE OF HOUSING IN CALIFORNIA: ECONOMIC, POLICY, AND DEVELOPMENT
PERSPECTIVES


THE NEW NORM: CULTURAL CHANGES IN THE #METOO ERA WORKPLACE


ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: SELF-ADVOCACY, CAREER DEVELOPMENT & PERSONAL NEGOTIATION


WORK-LIFE & CREATING BALANCE: 2.0


ADVANCED TRAINING IN THE CA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT


WHAT YOU SEE DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU SIT


GREAT! WE’VE BEEN SERVED! NOW WHAT? HOW DO YOU AS AN AGENCY/CONSULTANT SURVIVE A
CEQA LAWSUIT


WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS: WHEN, WHO, HOW AND WHY?


CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT TRAINING


MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS: FROM START TO FINISH


ESTABLISHING VENUE IN FAVORABLE JURISDICTIONS


TRANSPARENCY STRATEGIES


ETHICS TRAINING WORKSHOP


CHARTER SCHOOL OVERSIGHT: THE NEED FOR REFORM IN CHARTER SCHOOL FINANCES AND
GOVERNANCE


UTILITIES TAKINGS BY PUBLIC AGENCIES—WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW


NEGOTIATION HOT TOPICS


CALPERS REQUIREMENTS, AUDITS, AND RELATED BARGAINING CONSIDERATIONS


SELECTED NEGOTIATIONS FUNDAMENTALS FOR THE BEGINNER OR THE EXPERIENCED BARGAINER


NEGOTIATING LEAVES OF ABSENCE


ELIMINATION OF BIAS IN THE WORKPLACE


CONSTRUCTION LAW 101


READY OR NOT – TOP 5 LEGAL CHANGES COMING FOR 2018!


UNDERSTANDING AND EFFECTIVELY MANAGING EMPLOYEE AND UNION PROTECTED RIGHTS


UNDERSTANDING SPECIAL COMPENSATION: KEY COMPLIANCE ISSUES


THE CALPERS AUDIT: HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATE THE CALPERS AUDIT PROCESS


WHEN CHARTER OVERSIGHT BECOMES CRISIS MANAGEMENT


PRIVATE DEVICE ISSUES PANEL DISCUSSION


THINK BEFORE YOU TWEET: SOCIAL MEDIA BASICS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS


CEQA: AN UPDATE


HOW TO MINIMIZE AND AVOID LITIGATION


WHEN THE ADA AND EMINENT DOMAIN CROSS PATHS: AWARENESS, PITFALLS, VALUATION AND
DESIGN ISSUES


ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE PRACTICE OF EMINENT DOMAIN


ASBESTOS EXPOSURE/MESOTHELIOMA: DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT & LONG-TERM IMPACT


EDUCATION IS YOUR PASSPORT TO THE FUTURE: HR BACK TO BASICS


ABSTENTIONS AND DISQUALIFICATIONS – CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND WHEN ONE MUST OR
SHOULD STEP-ASIDE


AVOIDING A BUMPY LANDING: LIGHTING THE APPROACH TO AN EFFECTIVE INTERACTIVE
PROCESS


SMOKE ON THE HORIZON: RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA EMPLOYMENT CONCERNS


SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING


NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL DISABILITY RETIREMENTS


PREVENTING WORKPLACE HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, AND RETALIATION FOR ELECTED
OFFICIALS


EFFECTIVE INTERNAL WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS


CHARTER SCHOOLS: AUTHORIZER CHALLENGES


REQUIRED HARASSMENT PREVENTION FOR STAFF/BOARD


POWER OF THE PEN: HOW LEADERS CREATE EFFECTIVE DOCUMENTATION IN THE WORKPLACE


MARIJUANA UPDATE: THE GOVERNOR’S TRAILER BILL AND DRAFT REGULATIONS


THE REAL WORLD IMPACTS OF STATE AND LOCAL MARIJUANA REGULATIONS ON MARIJUANA
BUSINESSES AND REAL ESTATE.


SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE PUBLIC WORKPLACE: FRIEND…FOLLOW…FIRE?


ROLLING THE DICE! COHABITATION AGREEMENTS: A CLEAN BREAK OF A PALIMONY LAWSUIT?


EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTS WORKSHOP


RECENT DEVELOPMENTS, DEFENSES AND STRATEGIES IN BROWN ACT LITIGATION


EMPLOYMENT LAW TRAPS IN CALIFORNIA (AND ELSEWHERE) THAT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU


IDEAS AND CHALLENGES RELATED TO THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY AND REAL PROPERTY –
FINANCING, LEASING, SELLING, BUYING, AND PERMIT COMPLIANCE


MULTI-PARCEL ACQUISITION PROGRAMS – CONSIDERATIONS, EXPECTATIONS & RESERVATIONS


BEYOND THE BASICS OF REAL ESTATE LITIGATION – MOST COMMONLY LITIGATED
LANDLORD-TENANT ISSUES


IMPROVEMENTS: WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?


IDEAS AND CHALLENGES RELATED TO THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY AND REAL PROPERTY –
FINANCING, LEASING, SELLING, BUYING, AND PERMIT COMPLIANCE


BASICS OF LAND USE LAW


NO EMPLOYEE LEFT BEHIND: EVALUATING THE EVALUATIONS


WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN: LEARNING FROM THE HR HEADLINES


IT’S ELEMENTARY, DEAR WATSON: CONDUCTING EFFECTIVE WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS


EQUAL PAY DAY PANEL


ATTORNEY’S FEES – IMPACT ON ERISA LITIGATION


2017 LEGAL UPDATE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYERS


LOCK PROJECT PRICES IN EARLIER: DESIGN-BUILD ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL
PROCUREMENT


SANCTUARY CITIES: A LEGAL GUIDE


EVERYTHING YOU NEVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT MEDICAL LEAVES OF ABSENCE AND
DISABILITY


PUBLIC BUSINESS + PRIVATE ACCOUNT = PUBLIC RECORD: NAVIGATING THE CALIFORNIA
SUPREME COURT’S LANDMARK PUBLIC RECORDS ACT DECISION


PROPOSITION 64, ADULT USE OF MARIJUANA ACT


MANAGING SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE PUBLIC WORKPLACE


OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS & BODY-WORN CAMERAS


ANNUAL LABOR LAW UPDATE


I JUST WANT TO BE ME: THE EXPANSION OF INDIVIDUAL EXPRESSION IN THE WORKPLACE


ACSA’S LEGAL ALLIANCE: HOT TOPICS IN HUMAN RESOURCES TODAY


THE ADA AND EMINENT DOMAIN: POTENTIAL LIABILITY OF AGENCIES WHEN THEY TAKE
PREJUDGMENT POSSESSION; VALUATION CONSIDERATIONS; OTHER ISSUE


INDEPENDENT V. DEPENDENT CHARTERS


EVERYDAY ETHICS FOR SUPERVISORS


ERISA CLAIM REGULATION AND STATUTORY PENALTIES


PROPOSITION 64 AND THE “ADULT USE OF MARIJUANA ACT” (AUMA)


EMINENT DOMAIN: LAW & POLICY AND RELOCATION LAW


COMMUNICATIONS AND THE NEW MEDIA


THE SHIFTING TOTAL COMPENSATION PARADIGM


PREPARING AND RESPONDING TO UNION PRESSURE TACTICS


ERISA ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS – PROBLEMATIC ISSUES


HUMAN RESOURCE LAW FROM A TO Z


LEVERAGING TOBACCO CONTROL LAWS FOR MARIJUANA CONTROL


CHARTER SCHOOL LEGAL ISSUES


THE DEPOSITION PAGE LINE PROCESS – WHEN AND HOW CAN PRIOR DEPOSITIONS PROPERLY
BE USED IN TRIAL


WINNING TRIAL PRACTICES: HOW TO TACKLE YOUR OPPONENT’S EXPERT THROUGH
CROSS-EXAMINATION


OVERVIEW OF SPECIAL DISTRICT LAWS


KEEPING CHARTER SCHOOLS IN CHECK: ENFORCING ACCOUNTABILITY AND COMPLIANCE


A DEEP DIVE INTO THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT, 2016 CALIFORNIA SPECIAL DISTRICTS
ASSOCIATION


WORKING IN A FISHBOWL: PRACTICAL CHALLENGES FOR PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEES


CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT: KEY DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING WATER PROJECTS


PREVENTING WORKPLACE HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION AND RETALIATION FOR SUPERVISORY
AND GENERAL EMPLOYEES


MANAGING THE VIRTUAL PLAYGROUND: WHAT EVERY HR PROFESSIONAL NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT
SOCIAL MEDIA


HEALTH INSURANCE OPT-OUTS AFTER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT AND FLORES V. CITY OF
SAN GABRIEL DECISION


ESSENTIALS OF WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS


HR IN CRISIS: LEARNING FROM THE HEADLINES


MENTAL HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATIONS: EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF
MENTAL DISABILITIES IN THE WORKPLACE


KEEPING SCORE: CREATING EFFECTIVE DOCUMENTATION IN THE WORKPLACE


BROWN ACT ESSENTIALS


PREVENTING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE


DEALING WITH BOARD MEMBER CONFLICT OF INTEREST ISSUES, LEGAL SYMPOSIUM FOR
EXPERIENCED BOARD MEMBERS


CLOSING THE WAGE GAP


ETHICS: CONSIDERATIONS FOR YOUR EMINENT DOMAIN PRACTICE


PROTECTING YOUR CLIENT FROM CONTRACTOR DEFAULT: A TOOLKIT FOR TRANSACTIONAL
ATTORNEYS


EDUCATION INSIGHTS: LEGAL UPDATE (KEEPING UP WITH STATE AND FEDERAL
ACCOUNTABILITY REGULATIONS)


IS IT “E-LEGAL”?: THE LEGAL PRACTICALITIES AND PITFALLS OF E-INVESTIGATION,
E-SIGNATURES, AND E-LITIGATION


RESCISSION: ATTACKS AND COMEBACKS


UPDATE ON SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC LAW CASES


PUBLIC RECORDS ACT RECENT DEVELOPMENTS


SUNNY DAYS AHEAD: CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS


MEDICAL MARIJUANA: CONTINUING REGULATORY CHANGES


LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION UPDATE


EXPLORING THE DEPTHS OF DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION


ENVIRONMENTAL LAW BASICS: UNDERSTANDING CEQA


NAVIGATING THROUGH THE FOG OF FIT FOR DUTY EVALUATIONS


ESCAPING THE CYCLONE: CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADA-FEHA ADVENTURE


EVERYTHING YOU NEVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT EMPLOYMENT LAW


VALUING DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE


DIVING IN THE DEEP END OF DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION


AB 1825 SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION FOR STAFF AND ELECTED OFFICIALS


UNDERSTANDING THE BROWN ACT


LEGAL TOOLS FOR NUISANCE ABATEMENT


INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR VERSUS EMPLOYEE


LITIGATING STRATEGIES FOR FILING ERISA CASE V. FILING NON ERISA CASES,
PROCEDURAL NUANCES IN THE EARLY STAGES OF PLEADINGS, FINDING MORE FAVORABLE
VENUES, AND TRANSFER OF VENUE


THE PERILS OF USING ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING BOARD MEETINGS


CHARTER SCHOOL FACILITIES: UNDERSTANDING THE PROPOSITION 39 PROCESS


CHARTER SCHOOLS: AUTHORIZING BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES


AUTHORIZERS QUESTION TIME: OPEN FORUM WITH A PANEL OF EXPERTS


HR BOOT CAMP FOR SUPERVISORS


UNCONSCIOUS BIAS – CAN WE TALK?


FITNESS FOR DUTY EVALUATIONS


HUMAN RESOURCES BOOT CAMP


FIDUCIARY EXCEPTION TO THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE IN ERISA LITIGATION


WHAT’S NEW? THE LATEST LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS YOU NEED TO KNOW


KEEP CALM AND UPDATE YOUR STATUS: EMERGING TRENDS IN SOCIAL MEDIA


CASE STUDIES ON PLACEMENT OF TELECOM FACILITIES IN CITIES’ PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY
– “CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?”


ADA AND THE INTERACTIVE PROCESS: IT’S MORE THAN IT APPEARS


OPEN MEETING REMEDIES


ADA/INTERACTIVE PROCESSES, ACCOMMODATE WHAT?


MECHANIC’S LIEN, SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND LICENSING HIGHLIGHTS


TOTAL COMPENSATION: WHAT COMPONENTS SHOULD BE INCLUDED


LAW AND REGULATION UPDATES


STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH ADA DISPUTES IN COMMERCIAL LEASES


CHARTER AUTHORIZER CHALLENGES: FACILITIES, FUNDING AND AUTHORIZER POWER


CONDUCTING TOTALLY TUBULAR WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS


EVERYDAY ETHICS


PANEL DISCUSSION ON TRANSGENDER WORKPLACE ISSUES


PATHWAYS TO PARTNERSHIP


SOCIAL MEDIA: A GUIDE FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS


PLANNING FUN-DA-MENTALS


MECHANIC’S LIENS AND CONDOMINIUMS ON THE RISE


TAKINGS LAW – RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND EVOLVING ISSUES


EMINENT DOMAIN LITIGATION AND NEW LAW REGARDING FINAL OFFERS


MEDICAL MARIJUANA REGULATION & SAFETY ACT


CEQA UPDATE


COUNTY OFFICES OF EDUCATION AND CHARTER OVERSIGHT: RESPONSIBILITIES AND BEST
PRACTICES


FIVE REASONS NOT TO CHECK YOUR SMARTPHONE DURING BOARD MEETINGS


SEX, LIES & SOCIAL MEDIA: A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR BOARD MEMBERS


CHARTER PETITION RENEWAL


CHARTER REVOCATION


A PRACTITIONER’S APPROACH TO IMPLEMENTING THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA REGULATION AND
SAFETY ACT (AB 266, AB 243, AND AB 643)


CASE LAW AND LEGISLATIVE UPDATE


COMMUNICATIONS AND THE NEW MEDIA


ENSURING A PUPIL-FRIENDLY CHARTER PETITION REVIEW PROCESS


KEEPING STUDENTS SAFE: CYBERBULLYING AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE


THE BROWN ACT: THE TOP 10 ISSUES BOARDS FACE


DISABILITY INSURANCE LITIGATION: INSIDE, OUTSIDE, UPSIDE DOWN


SOCIAL MEDIA: POLICIES AND BEST PRACTICES


NAVIGATING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE DATA REQUIREMENTS ON CHARTER AUTHORIZER DUTIES


STAFF TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR BILINGUAL AND ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL)
CLASSROOMS


BOARD PRESIDENTS WORKSHOP: TOOLS FOR STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP


PREVENTING WORKPLACE HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, RETALIATION, AND ABUSIVE
CONDUCT


MARIJUANA LEGAL UPDATE AND MUNICIPAL REGULATION WEBINAR


STATE HOUSING PROGRAMS


INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING ON THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA REGULATION AND SAFETY ACT


ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN EMINENT DOMAIN


TAP DANCING AT CLUB OBI-WAN: CHOREOGRAPHING THE INTERACTIVE PROCESS


UPDATE ON PERB & COURT DECISIONS AFFECTING BARGAINING – THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS YOU
NEED TO KNOW


TOTAL COMPENSATION IN 2015 AND BEYOND: PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR NEGOTIATIONS AND
RECRUITMENT EFFORTS


BRAVE NEW WORLD: PRESERVING CLIENT CONFIDENTIALITY IN A HIGH-TECH ENVIRONMENT


LEGAL MALPRACTICE AND ETHICS


THE MANY LIVES OF A DEATH CLAIM


BOUNDARY ISSUES AND EASEMENT LAW


EFFECTIVE RETURN TO WORK PROGRAMS AND THE INTERACTIVE PROCESS


DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS IN THE CLUBHOUSE: HOW TO HANDLE SENSITIVE HUMAN
RESOURCES SITUATIONS


DON’T LET ONE BAD APPLE SPOIL THE BUNCH: STRATEGIES FOR ADDRESSING CHALLENGING
EMPLOYEES


BROWNFIELDS AND PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS


JOINT OCIPLA AND LAIPLA JUDGES PANEL


DON’T LET ONE BAD APPLE SPOIL THE BUNCH: DEALING WITH DIFFICULT EMPLOYEES


EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION 101


SCOPE OF BARGAINING


TOTAL COMPENSATION – WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED TODAY?


BARGAINING PROCESS OPTIONS – CAN INTEREST BASED BARGAINING IMPROVE THINGS? IS IT
TIME TO RETURN TO POSITIONAL BARGAINING? HOW DO WE DECIDE?


WHAT SHOULD WE SHARE WITH THE UNION? MARSHALING AND PRESENTING DATA EFFECTIVELY


IMPASSE, FACTFINDING AND CONCERTED ACTIVITIES


CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CEQA LAW AND PRACTICE


SALVAGING TIERED WATER RATES POST SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO


AB 2188 IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEMS


SOCIAL MEDIA CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIAL DISTRICTS: A LEGAL
PERSPECTIVE


IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL THE FLYING MONKEYS ARRIVE: DANGEROUS WORKPLACE
CONDUCT


IF I HAD ONLY USED MY BRAIN: CREATING EFFECTIVE DOCUMENTATION IN THE WORKPLACE


BEST PERSONNEL PRACTICES TO PROMOTE STUDENT SAFETY


EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK UPDATE 2015


HUMAN RESOURCES GUIDE TO EFFECTIVE EMPLOYEE EVALUATIONS


LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW


USING PERSONNEL INVESTIGATIONS TO REDUCE RISK AND MAINTAIN STAFF RELATIONS


EMPLOYMENT LAW UPDATE


SAFEWAY/ALBERTSONS, TOXIC TORTS, POLLUTION & ASBESTOS


SEX, LIES & SOCIAL MEDIA: A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS


INCLUSION SERVICES UNDER THE ADA AND METHODS FOR COMPLIANCE, A CASE BY CASE
APPROACH


FIREFIGHTER’S PROCEDURAL BILL OF RIGHTS ACT: OVERVIEW AND SOLUTIONS FOR
EMPLOYERS


UPDATE ON POST-REDEVELOPMENT LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION


LOCAL PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE, DISCHARGE, AND PROCEDURE: AVOIDING COSTLY
MISTAKES


WE, THE RUDE, ANGRY, AND VIOLENT PEOPLE: PREVENTING AND RESPONDING TO DANGEROUS
WORKPLACE CONDUCT


READING THE TEA LEAVES: WHAT THE CLAIMS FOR PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY COVERAGE SAY
ABOUT CONTRACTORS’ PROCUREMENT AND CLAIMS HANDLING PROCEDURES


HOT TOPICS


THE LATEST TRENDS, DEVELOPMENTS AND CHALLENGES IN NON-ERISA CLAIMS: AN IN DEPTH
LOOK AT CONTINUING AND EMERGING TOPICS IN IDI AND LTD CLAIMS


EMINENT DOMAIN 101


EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION: THE SHIFTING PARADIGM


HACKING, THREATS AND OTHER CYBER-MISCONDUCT


LEGAL ALLIANCE PANEL


FULFILLING CHARTER AUTHORIZER OBLIGATIONS UNDER LCFF AND LCAP


AVOIDING WIPEOUTS ON THE WAVE OF SOCIAL MEDIA


MOVING YOUR MOORING: BEST PRACTICES FOR GUIDING AND DEFENDING YOUR AGENCY
THROUGH CONTRACTING OUT DECISIONS


GOING WITH THE FLOW: MANAGING MULTIPLE BARGAINING UNITS TO OBTAIN OPTIMAL
SETTLEMENTS


EXPLAINING TIDAL SURGES AND SHIFTING SANDS: COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY WITH
EMPLOYEES AND THE PUBLIC DURING NEGOTIATIONS


RIPTIDE AHEAD: PREVENTING AND RESPONDING TO DANGEROUS WORKPLACE CONDUCT


KEEP CALM AND UPDATE YOUR STATUS: SOCIAL MEDIA AND BOARD MEMBERS


HOW TO BUILD A WINNING TEAM FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT


PREVENTING DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT


SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING FOR ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS


LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: AB 2053 ABUSIVE CONDUCT TRAINING


EVALUATING THE GENERAL MANAGER


THE TROLL UNDER THE BRIDGE: CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ADDRESSING DISABILITY
DISCRIMINATION


ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS WHEN REPRESENTING THE CONDEMNOR


AVOIDING GNARLY WIPEOUTS BY CONDUCTING TOTALLY TUBULAR WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS


TRYING TO END THE ENDLESS SUMMER: CONDUCTING REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION MEETINGS


IN ORDER TO FORM A MORE PERFECT WORKPLACE INVESTIGATION


LET’S BE CLEAR: PLAIN LANGUAGE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT


PREVENTING WORKPLACE HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, AND RETALIATION IN THE LEGAL
PROFESSION


DON’T TWEET YOUR WAY TO TERMINATION: SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC WORKPLACE


THE INTERSECTION OF ERISA AND BAD FAITH: A ROADMAP OF THE TRIUMPHS, TRIALS AND
TRENDS FOR 2014 AND BEYOND


SOCIAL MEDIA AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE


TEACHER TENURE AND SENIORITY: WHAT IS THEIR FUTURE AFTER VERGARA?


REALLY BAD, IN A GOOD WAY: PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS, EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE, AND
EFFECTIVE DOCUMENTATION


THE DISSOLUTION OF REDEVELOPMENT – IMPACT ON PENDING AND PLANNED ACQUISITIONS


THE TROLL UNDER THE BRIDGE: DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE


CEQA ISSUES


ETHICS TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEES AND ADMINISTRATORS


CONSTRUCTING STRONG AND SOLID INVESTIGATIONS


BENEFIT CLAIM LITIGATION


KILLING THE TRAP QUESTIONS IN DEPOSITION AND IN CROSS EXAMINATION BY THE EXPERT
WITNESS


THEY’RE REPRESENTED…NOW WHAT?!


BEST PRACTICES FOR EFFECTIVE WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS


REVIEWING CHARTER SCHOOL PETITIONS IN THE ERA OF LCFF


REINVENTION 2014-NEW APPROACHES TO HOUSING, REDEVELOPMENT, AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT


PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR MINIMIZING CEQA LIABILITY IN YOUR CITY


BROWN ACT: BURLINGAME – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW


CALIFORNIA FALSE CLAIMS ACT


THE CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS ACT


WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PUBLIC RECORDS AND OPEN MEETINGS


STATUS UPDATE: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS TO SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE WORKPLACE


HOW DOES CYBERSPACE AFFECT YOUR PERSONNEL PRACTICES


IMPACT BARGAINING


THE LATEST ON THE RECOVERY OF ATTORNEYS’ FEES IN THE ERISA AND NON-ERISA CONTEXT


THE EFFECTS OF THE CASASOLA DECISION ON THE AFTER CONDITION GOODWILL ANALYSIS


EMINENT DOMAIN FROM START TO FINISH


THE PLANNING COMMISSION’S ROLE & RESPONSIBILITY IN THE EIR PROCESS


HOW TO STRENGTHEN YOUR AGENCY: HUMAN RESOURCES BOOT CAMP FOR MANAGERS


LESSONS LEARNED FROM LIVERMORE’S EXPERIENCE WITH THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION


CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT AND RECORDS RETENTION POLICIES


EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATING YOUR DISTRICT’S CHOICES


HOT TOPICS AND RECENT UPDATES IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW INCLUDING THE NEW
ADULT-ORIENTED XXX DOMAIN


EFFECTIVE INDEMNITY PROVISIONS IN PATENT LICENSING AND ASSIGNMENTS AGREEMENTS


SEE ALL EVENTS RESULTS

SEE LESS EVENTS RESULTS

PUBLICATIONS ( RESULTS)


2023 LEGAL TRENDS


EXCESS CONDEMNATION – PART 2


10 SEXY STEPS FOR DRAFTING A PRENUP WITH YOUR DEARLY BELOVED


HOW TO AVOID UNDERMINING YOUR RULE 68 OFFER


EXCESS CONDEMNATION – PART 1


2022 LEGAL TRENDS


COURT OF APPEAL HOLDS THAT SELLING CANNABIS AS SACRAMENT IS NOT RELIGIOUS
EXERCISE PROTECTED BY RLUIPA


ATTORNEY PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS RECEIVE A BOOST


WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?


2021 LEGAL TRENDS


HOUSING LAW ROUNDUP 2021


IS YOUR CANNABIS BILLBOARD DCC COMPLIANT IN CALIFORNIA


COURT OF APPEAL REJECTS CITY’S RELIANCE ON SETBACK STANDARD UNDER HOUSING
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT


AB 361 EXTENDS LOCAL AGENCY MEETING TELECONFERENCING OPTIONS PAST SEPTEMBER 30TH


PUBLIC RECORDS ACT’S CATCHALL EXEMPTION APPLIES TO COVID-19 OUTBREAK LOCATION
INFORMATION


IMPORTANT CASE UPDATE: SCOTUS RULES THAT PRIVATE PARTIES CAN CONDEMN STATE-OWNED
PROPERTY UNDER FEDERAL NATURAL GAS ACT


PAIRED SALES ANALYSIS: SHOULD YOUR APPRAISER CONSIDER MORE THAN JUST COMPARABLE
SALES?


PROTECTED: INCREASED LIMITS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND GIFTS TO CA OFFICIALS,
CANDIDATES


APPEALS COURT RULES GOVERNOR NEWSOM’S USE OF EMERGENCY POWERS WAS CONSTITUTIONAL


PRESSURE TO TERMINATE


THE ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGISTS IN CONSERVATORSHIP CASES


CHANGES TO CALIFORNIA MEAL PERIOD LAW


A REFRESHER ON GENERAL CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST RULES


TOP FOUR TIPS FOR RESPONSIBLE CUFFING: ADVICE FROM A DIVORCE ATTORNEY


THE CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL LAW HANDBOOK


2020 LEGAL TRENDS


BILL SUMMARIES: ANIMAL PROTECTIONS


SB 288 – CEQA EXEMPTION FOR ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS


CHANGES TO PUBLIC GENERALLY EXCEPTION AND NEW REQUIREMENT FOR POSTING OF
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE DOCUMENTS FILED IN PAPER FORMAT


BILL SUMMARIES | AB 2231 AND AB 2311


HOUSING ROUNDUP: NEW HOUSING BILLS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR NEWSOM


RECENT LEGISLATION AFFECTING SCOOTERS, SKATEBOARDS AND PARKING PENALTIES


AB 992 | THE BROWN ACT & SOCIAL MEDIA


COVID-19 UPDATES FOR EMPLOYERS


PROTECTING OUR WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES V. COUNTY OF STANISLAUS


SANTA MONICA’S AT-LARGE METHOD OF ELECTIONS DOES NOT VIOLATE THE CALIFORNIA
VOTING RIGHTS ACT


LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCIES MUST ENSURE EMAILS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS ARE RETAINED
THROUGHOUT CEQA PROCESS AND OVERRIDE AUTOMATED DELETION POLICIES


CALPELRA ALERT: NEW CALPERS CIRCULAR LETTER HIGHLIGHTS COMMON EMPLOYER REPORTING
MISTAKES/PENALTIES


LOCAL SPECIAL TAXES PROPOSED BY VOTER INITIATIVE SUBJECT TO MAJORITY VOTER
APPROVAL


FPPC DISCLOSURE REVISIONS TO CLOSE CONFLICT OF INTEREST LOOPHOLE


NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD V. CITY OF HAYWARD: NO COST FOR REDACTION OF BODYCAM
FOOTAGE IN RESPONSE TO CPRA REQUEST


U.S. SUPREME COURT’S DECISION IN BOSTOCK V. CLAYTON COUNTY EXTENDS TITLE VII
PROTECTIONS TO SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY


EEOC ISSUES GUIDANCE PROHIBITING EMPLOYERS FROM REQUIRING COVID-19 ANTIBODY
TESTING


EMERGENCY FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT: LEAVE SENARIOS


EEOC ISSUES GUIDANCE PROHIBITING EMPLOYERS FROM REQUIRING COVID-19 ANTIBODY
TESTING


NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD V. CITY OF HAYWARD: NO COST FOR REDACTION OF BODYCAM
FOOTAGE IN RESPONSE TO CPRA REQUEST


CYBERATTACKS AND PUBLIC AGENCY RESPONSE


MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS


SCHOOL DISTRICT LOCAL CONTROL ACCOUNTABILITY PLAN DEADLINE EXTENDED BY
GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER


MEDICAL MARIJUANA MAKES ITS WAY INTO CALIFORNIA K-12 SCHOOLS


TIPS FOR MANAGING YOUR NEW REMOTE WORKFORCE


LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS PAID SICK LEAVE FOR LARGE EMPLOYERS AND
PROTECTIONS FOR GROCERY, DRUG RETAIL, AND FOOD DELIVERY WORKERS


FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT: SUMMARY OF ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT


SOME RESTRICTIONS LIFTED FOR EMPLOYING CALPERS RETIREES DURING COVID-19
EMERGENCY


NAVIGATING THE BROWN ACT DURING A PERIOD OF LOCAL EMERGENCY DUE TO COVID-19


EEOC ISSUES STATEMENT ON COVID-19


CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 – RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYERS


ZONING ORDINANCE DID NOT VIOLATE THE RELIGIOUS LAND USE AND INSTITUTIONALIZED
PERSONS ACT (RLUIPA)


CANNABIS IN THE CLASSROOM: NAVIGATING THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA ON
CAMPUS UNDER NEW CALIFORNIA LAW


ARE YOU COMPATIBLE? SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT CONSIDERS INCOMPATIBLE OFFICES AND
FINDS OFFICES OF MAYOR AND BOARD DIRECTOR ARE INCOMPATIBLE


CODE ENFORCEMENT BY DRONE: CRITICAL CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE LAUNCHING


CALPELRA ALERT: CA MINIMUM WAGE REQUIREMENTS APPLY TO NON-WORK TIME WHEN
EMPLOYERS CONTROL EMPLOYEES’ USE OF TIME


CALPELRA ALERT: GOVERNOR SIGNS AB 5 WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYERS?


LIMITATIONS ON THE SCOPE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPERT TESTIMONY IN CHILD ABUSE CASES


MUNICIPAL LAW HANDBOOK


THE PEOPLES BUSINESS: A GUIDE TO THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT


COURT HOLDS PENSION PLAN ARBITRATION CLAUSE ENFORCEABLE


2019 LEGAL TRENDS


SUMMARY OF MAJOR CHANGES TO PETITION REVIEW AND APPEAL PROCESS AND CRITERIA
UNDER AB 1505


A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE ON ERISA CLAIM VALUATION


ADOPTING IMPACT FEES: A CAUTIONARY TALE


ARE DEPUTY SHERIFFS WHO PROVIDE COURTHOUSE SECURITY ENTITLED TO ELEVENTH
AMENDMENT IMMUNITY IN CALIFORNIA?


PERB ADDRESSES NEED FOR PROCEDURAL ADMONITIONS FOR POST INVESTIGATION UNION
MEMBER INTERVIEWS


BROWN ACT: THE IMPORTANCE OF STICKING TO YOUR AGENDA


BROWN ACT: AVOIDING VIOLATIONS BY RESPONDING TO CEASE AND DESIST LETTERS


USING THE “COMMITTEE EXCEPTION” TO EXCLUDE PUBLIC COMMENT AT SPECIAL MEETING
VIOLATES BROWN ACT


COURT OF APPEAL AFFIRMS SCHOOL DISTRICT’S DISCRETION TO LOCATE CHARTER SCHOOLS
UNDER PROPOSITION 39


GOV. CODE SECTION 65009 BARS CHALLENGE TO AGREEMENT AUTHORIZING PG&E TO CUT
TREES ON ROW; PLAINTIFF FAILED TO SERVE COMPLAINT WITHIN 90 DAYS


CALIFORNIA PUBLIC SECTOR LABOR RELATIONS, CHAPTER 17 PROTECTED EMPLOYEE ACTIVITY
AND EMPLOYEE RIGHTS


ACCESS TO PRIVATE ENTITY RECORDS IS NOT ENOUGH TO COMPEL DISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS
UNDER CPRA


ADA WEB ACCESSIBILITY LITIGATION IS ON THE RISE


GET READY FOR 2019: THE YEAR OF HARASSMENT PREVENTION


2018 LEGAL TRENDS


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: CALIFORNIA ADOPTED COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL ORIGIN
REGULATIONS


AN ADVANCED LOOK AT SENATE BILL 1421: ANALYZING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF CERTAIN
POLICE RECORDS


KEEPING UP WITH THE LEGISLATURE: 2019 BRINGS CHANGES TO THE FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND
HOUSING ACT


POST-NUPTIALS


TIME WON’T GIVE ME TIME: AN ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONTINUANCES
AND MISTRIALS


COURT OF APPEAL CLARIFIES STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN POLICE DISCIPLINE MATTERS,
CLEARING WAY FOR DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS IN RACIST TEXTING CASE


NEW LAW ESTABLISHES SEVERAL NEW PROTECTIONS FOR EMPLOYEES BRINGING HARASSMENT
CLAIMS


PUBLIC EMPLOYEES CAN USE EMPLOYER E-MAIL FOR PROTECTED COMMUNICATIONS DURING
NON-WORK TIME


(NEARLY) EVERY MINUTE COUNTS FOR NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES IN CALIFORNIA FOLLOWING
THE STATE SUPREME COURT’S RULING IN TROESTER V. STARBUCKS


CA SUPREME COURT DECISION IS A CHANGE OF COURSE FOR ZONING


YOUR ANTI-CAMPING ORDINANCE MAY VIOLATE THE 8TH AMENDMENT


DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS ARE MEANT TO BE HANDLED BY LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES, NOT
THE INITIATIVE PROCESS


STATE BAR DOESN’T HAVE TO DISCLOSE RACIAL DATA


UNDERSTANDING DYNAMEX: THE PUBLIC EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVE


AFTERMATH OF THE JANUS V. AFSCME DECISION


THE EVOLUTION AND APPLICATION OF A CEQA EXEMPTION


PREPARING FOR CHANGES: CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE


CHICO UNIFIED BOARD APPROVES BLUE OAK CHARTER RENEWAL


ELECTRONIC DISCOVERY IN CONSTRUCTION DISPUTES – PITFALLS FOR THE UNWARY


PAGA 101: EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK


CHARTER SCHOOLS MUST OBTAIN APPROVAL OF ADDITIONAL SCHOOL SITES THROUGH A
MATERIAL REVISION, NOT RENEWAL, OF THEIR CHARTER


THREE KEYS TO PREVENTING WORKPLACE HARASSMENT: TRAINING, LEADERSHIP AND
ACCOUNTABILITY


FINDING THE BEST FIT: COMBINING INTERNATIONAL AND FEDERAL LAW TO COMBAT
EXPLOITATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE BY THE FASHION INDUSTRY


BROWN ACT COMPLIANCE MANUAL FOR SPECIAL DISTRICTS


NEW BILL REFLECTS CALIFORNIA’S DESIRE TO CHANGE OUTDATED WORKPLACE NORMS


2017 LEGAL TRENDS


2018 BRINGS NEW RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLIC EMPLOYERS’ INQUIRIES INTO SALARY HISTORY
AND CONVICTION HISTORY


CHARTER BILL REVEALS POTENTIAL TO WIDEN DIVIDE WITH LEA’S


INTERNAL AFFAIRS: LOPSIDED TIME LIMITS IN SAN JOSE UNIFIED’S CHARTER DEBATE


EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION SURVEYS VALUE & RISKS


THE VALUES AND RISKS OF EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION SURVEYS


PROPOSITIONS 26 AND 218 IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE


FIDUCIARY DUTY TO MONITOR INVESTMENTS: TIBBLE, ACT V SCENE II


LAND USE: THE NEW ARENA IN THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN INDEPENDENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS


INSIDE CELERITY CHARTER SCHOOL NETWORK, QUESTIONABLE SPENDING AND POTENTIAL
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST ABOUND


COURTS REJECT ATTEMPTS TO EXEMPT CHARTER SCHOOLS FROM LOCAL ZONING REQUIREMENTS


COURTS: ONLY DISTRICT CAN ZONE CHARTER SCHOOLS


WHEN IT COMES TO LAWSUITS, SMALL BUSINESSES WHO SNOOZE WILL LOSE


THE POLICY OF TRUTH: A COMPARISON OF THE STRUCTURES AND RESULTS IN TRANSITIONAL
JUSTICE OF THE RWANDAN GACCA AND THE EXTRAORDINARY CHAMBERS IN THE COURT OF
CAMBODIA


CLEAR AS MUD REDUX: CALIFORNIA LEAVES OF ABSENCE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR


‘GOING FORWARD’ IN BIVENS CASES: WILL THE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION IN ABASSI
NARROW THE SCOPE OF CLAIMS AGAINST FEDERAL OFFICIALS FOR MONETARY DAMAGES?


PLAN MUST BE BOTH ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED BY A CHURCH OR ITS PRINCIPAL
PURPOSE ORGANIZATION


ABUSE OF DISCRETION STANDARD ‘TEMPERED WITH SKEPTICISM’ DUE TO REVIEWING
PHYSICIANS’ FINANCIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST


NINTH CIRCUIT CLARIFIES SECTION (C)(1) PENALTIES AGAINST PLAN ADMINISTRATOR


DO PUBLIC ENTITIES NEED TO RETAIN THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA PURSUANT TO THE PUBLIC
RECORDS ACT?


2016 LEGAL TRENDS


PREPARING FOR 2017: CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE UPDATE


UPDATE ON SIGNIFICANT CALIFORNIA PUBLIC LAW CASES


WORKPLACE HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING IS NOW MANDATORY FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS


LIVERMORE CHARTER SCHOOLS, SCHOOL DISTRICT BATTLE OVER RUMORS


SCHOOL BOARD TALKS ROP


SELLING VOTERS ON LOCAL TAX MEASURES


FACT SHEET: 1,2,3-TRICHLOROPROPANE AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR WATER SUPPLY
SYSTEM


PRESERVING ACCESS WHILE REGULATING CONDUCT IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES


5 THINGS EVERY NON-PATENT ATTORNEY SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RECENT CHANGES IN PATENT
LAW


COURT OF APPEAL ISSUES IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION OF SUMMER UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES


COURT OF APPEAL RULES THAT PERSONNEL INVESTIGATIONS ARE PRIVILEGED


SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE WORKPLACE


ANSWERS TO COMMON EMPLOYER QUESTIONS ABOUT TRANSGENDER EMPLOYEES


STRATEGIES FOR ENFORCING THE MENTAL ILLNESS LIMITATION UNDER DE NOVO REVIEW


THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE: ARE YOU IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE NEW FEHA
REGULATIONS?


CLEAR AS MUD: CALIFORNIA WAGE AND HOUR LAWS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR


CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER: EXPANSION OF THE DUTY TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE
DISABILITY


SUNNYVALE: TRIAL BETWEEN CITY AND ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL OVER ZONING COMES TO A
CLOSE


IDENTIFYING BASELINE CONDITIONS UNDER CEQA — BACK TO THE FUTURE?


SOCIAL MEDIA Q&A FOR SPECIAL DISTRICTS


CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORDS ACT COMPLIANCE MANUAL FOR SPECIAL DISTRICTS


BODY PIERCINGS AND TATTOOS IN THE WORKPLACE: CAN EMPLOYERS PLACE LIMITS ON THEM?


2015 LEGAL TRENDS


POCKET GUIDE TO DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION IN THE CALIFORNIA WORKPLACE


EMINENT DOMAIN: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY


DRESS AND GROOMING STANDARDS FOR CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYERS…IT’S A BIT MORE
COMPLICATED THAN YOU MIGHT EXPECT


NEW TRENDS IN TRADEMARK LAW


AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION WORKS: PREVENTING AND DEFENDING ADA ACCESSIBILITY CLAIMS


PITFALLS OF THE PUBLIC FORUM: PUBLIC AGENCIES’ SOCIAL MEDIA RULES MAY BREACH
FIRST AMENDMENT


CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT ISSUES SIGNIFICANT RULING ON SCHOOL DISTRICT ALLOCATION
OF CLASSROOMS TO CHARTER SCHOOLS


ARTICLE ON CALIFORNIA CHARTER SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION V. LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL
DISTRICT CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT DECISION


CALIFORNIA APPELLATE COURT LIMITS PUBLIC AGENCY’S RIGHT TO WITHHOLD RETENTION
ONLY AS SECURITY FOR STOP NOTICE CLAIMS AND DEFICIENCIES IN CONTRACT PERFORMANCE


COURT DEFINES ‘SIMILARLY SITUATED’ EMPLOYEE FOR BIAS CASES


DEFINING A TRUE THREAT: THE SUPREME COURT MULLS THE BOUNDARIES OF FREE
EXPRESSION ON SOCIAL MEDIA


REVISED DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE BUDGET TRAILER BILL ADDRESSES REDEVELOPMENT
DISSOLUTION


COST-EFFECTIVE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT COMPLIANCE AND RECORDS TRANSPARENCY FOLLOWING
PROPOSITION 42


DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE PUBLISHES BUDGET TRAILER BILL LANGUAGE ADDRESSING
REDEVELOPMENT DISSOLUTION


SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE FEHA: ARE YOU PREPARED FOR 2015?


NMTC – IS IT FOR ME? THE FEDERAL NEW MARKETS TAX CREDITS PROGRAM AND HOW TO USE
IT FOR YOUR PUBLIC AGENCY


PREVENTING WORKPLACE HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, RETALIATION AND ABUSIVE CONDUCT


ADDRESSING HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES RELATED TO PUBLIC ENCAMPMENTS AND VEHICLE
HABITATION


WHEN COPS POST: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS GET INTO SCRAPES WITH
SOCIAL MEDIA


HEALTHY WORKPLACES, HEALTHY FAMILIES ACT OF 2014: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR OUR
AGENCY?


FORMER PERMANENT TEACHER WAS PROPERLY REHIRED AS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER FOLLOWING
A BREAK IN SERVICE


ESSENTIAL RISK SHIFTING PROVISIONS IN CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS


BIG CHANGES ON HORIZON FOR TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS UNDER CEQA


SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST PROVIDE SCHOOL-WIDE ASSESSMENT DATA AS PART OF A SPECIAL
EDUCATION DETERMINATION


2014 LEGAL TRENDS


SCHOOL DISTRICT VIOLATED TITLE IX BY FAILING TO PROVIDE EQUAL FACILITIES AND
ACCESS, AND RETALIATED AGAINST STUDENTS BY FIRING THEIR COACH


NEW LAW REQUIRES ANNUAL MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSONNEL


NEW LAW LIMITS SUSPENSIONS OR EXPULSIONS OF STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL FOR DISRUPTION
OR WILLFUL DEFIANCE


FEDERAL COURT UPHOLDS RIGHT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TO PROHIBIT STUDENTS FROM WEARING
AMERICAN FLAGS


CALIFORNIA 4TH APPELLATE DISTRICT COURT CONFIRMS THAT COMPETITIVE BIDDING IS NOT
REQUIRED FOR K-12 LEASE-LEASEBACK CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENTS


SLEEPING-IN-VEHICLE ORDINANCES FACE CHALLENGES FOLLOWING NINTH CIRCUIT DECISION
IN DESERTRAIN V. CITY OF LOS ANGELES


THE FIRST DISTRICT RULES THAT POLICE DEPARTMENTS MUST DISCLOSE ENTIRE PERSONNEL
FILES TO DISTRICT ATTORNEYS: CHIPPING AWAY AT OFFICER CONFIDENTIALITY, OR NO BIG
DEAL?


COURT OF APPEAL UPHOLDS TEACHER DISMISSAL BASED ON ORAL CHARGES PRESENTED TO
DISTRICT’S BOARD OF TRUSTEES


SCHOOL DISTRICT NEED NOT REVEAL TEACHERS’ NAMES IN ASSOCIATION WITH ACADEMIC
GROWTH SCORES IN RESPONSE TO PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUEST


GOVERNOR SIGNS AB 1963 EXTENDING DEADLINE FOR APPROVAL OF LONG-RANGE PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT PLANS AND LIMITING SCOPE OF STATE CONTROLLER REVIEW OF PROPERTY
TRANSFERS


COMPLIANCE WITH AB 218: CALIFORNIA JPIA MODEL FORM FOR CRIMINAL INQUIRIES


GOVERNOR BROWN SIGNS ASSEMBLY BILL 215, REVISING PORTIONS OF DISMISSAL AND
SUSPENSION STATUTES FOR CERTIFICATED EMPLOYEES


TEACHER TENURE AND DISMISSAL STATUTES RULED UNCONSTITUTIONAL


Q & A: HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING AND SPECIAL DISTRICTS


HOW OUTDATED IS YOUR HARASSMENT PREVENTION POLICY?


INCLUSIONARY ZONING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNDER ATTACK


STATUS UPDATE: FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE WORKPLACE


UNCHARTERED TERRITORY: DUELING PETITIONS FOR ANTIOCH MEDICAL HIGH SCHOOL DRAWS
WIDE ATTENTION


COMMON PUBLIC EMPLOYER MISCONCEPTIONS


E-RECORDS SENT FROM PRIVATE DEVICES AND ACCOUNTS ARE NOT PUBLIC RECORDS UNDER
CPRA


COURT OF APPEAL SUPPORTS DISTRICTS’ RIGHT TO DISCIPLINE STUDENTS, AND HIGHLIGHTS
DUE PROCESS REQUIREMENTS AND REVIEW STANDARDS FOR INVOLUNTARY TRANSFERS


BURKE REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS LAW UPDATE


REQUIRING PUBLIC SCHOOL UNIFORMS MAY INFRINGE ON STUDENTS’ FIRST AMENDMENT
RIGHTS


WATER SERVICE FEE INCREASES UNDER PROPOSITION 218: PROPER PROCEDURE AFTER
GRIFFITH V. PAJARO VALLEY WATER MANAGEMENT


PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR MINIMIZING CEQA LIABILITY IN YOUR CITY


TO DOCUMENT OR NOT TO DOCUMENT: LIFE AFTER POOLE V. ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY


REMINDER: MAY 23, 2014 DEADLINE FOR CALSTRS ONE-TIME ELECTION REMEDY FOR
CREDITABLE SERVICE ELECTIONS


COURT OF APPEAL AFFIRMS LIMITATIONS ON STANDING TO SUE PUBLIC AGENCIES


2014 CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL LAW HANDBOOK


A DISTRICT CANNOT UNILATERALLY REDUCE WORK HOURS OR WORK YEAR WITHOUT
NEGOTIATING THE REDUCTION


KEY AMENDMENTS TO THE BROWN ACT FOR 2014


JANUARY 2014 REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS LAW UPDATE


JUST BROWSING: BRINGING YOUR PATENT CASE IN CALIFORNIA


HARSH LESSONS FROM THE RULE 26 TRENCHES


APPLE V. SAMSUNG: IMPACT OF THE VERDICT


TIPS ON MANAGING PATENT LITIGATION EXPENSE


UCLA SCHOOL OF LAW INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE CLINIC & AIDS-FREE WORLD


DID I WIN? WHO IS THE PREVAILING PARTY WHEN STATUTORY SETTLEMENT OFFERS ARE MADE
BY JOINTLY LIABLE DEFENDANTS?”


STRATEGIES FOR INDEMNIFICATION UNDER THE UCC AGAINST CLAIMS OF PATENT
INFRINGEMENT


INDEMNIFICATION FOR INFRINGEMENT


COMMENT, INTELLIGENCE AGENTS AS AUTHORS: A COMPARISON OF THE BRITISH COURTS’
POSITION ON ATTORNEY GENERAL V. HEINEMANN PUBLISHERS AND THE UNITED STATES
SUPREME COURT DECISION OF SNEPP V. UNITED STATES, 11 LOY.L.A.INT’L & COMP.L.J. 2
(1989)


SEE ALL PUBLICATION RESULTS

SEE LESS PUBLICATIONS RESULTS

NEWS ( RESULTS)


PUBLIC LAW UPDATE – AB 1633: ADDRESSING CEQA’S USE TO INDEFINITELY BLOCK INFILL
HOUSING


BURKE LITIGATION TEAM SECURES DAILY JOURNAL ‘TOP VERDICT’ HONOR


PUBLIC LAW UPDATE – AB 1490: ADAPTIVE REUSE OF EXISTING BUILDINGS AND
RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING


PUBLIC LAW UPDATE – AB 1218: EXPANSION OF “NO NET LOSS” REGULATIONS


PUBLIC LAW UPDATE – AB 821: RESOLVING GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING CONFLICTS


EIGHT BURKE ATTORNEYS NAMED TO SUPER LAWYERS CALIFORNIA RISING STARS 2024


2023 ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT LAWS


SB 4: HOUSING ON RELIGIOUS OR COLLEGE PROPERTY


AB 965: BROADBAND PERMIT EFFICIENCY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT STAFF SOLUTION BEST
PRACTICES ACT OF 2023


LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: 2024 EMPLOYMENT LAWS FOR CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS


SB 684 – NEW STREAMLINED APPROVAL PROCESS FOR RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS ON SMALL
URBAN LOTS


AB 1637 – LOCAL GOVERNMENT: INTERNET WEBSITES AND EMAIL ADDRESSES


AB 1638: PROVIDING EMERGENCY INFORMATION IN NON-ENGLISH


AB 557: UPDATES TO TELECONFERENCE ATTENDANCE BY LEGISLATIVE BODIES


GOVERNOR SIGNS SB 423, EXTENDING AND EXPANDING SB 35’S STREAMLINED, MINISTERIAL
APPROVAL PROCESS FOR MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS


NEW FPPC REGULATIONS FOR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS


BURKE CIVIL RIGHTS LITIGATION TEAM SECURES DEFENSE VERDICT FOR THE CITY OF LOS
ANGELES


ARE YOU PICTURE PERFECT? AB 994 AND POSTING MUGSHOTS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT SOCIAL
MEDIA ACCOUNTS


FRASER MUIR TEAMS WITH BERKELEY LAW CENTER STUDENTS TO CREATE PRO SE GUIDE FOR
IMMIGRANTS IN REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS


BURKE, WILLIAMS & SORENSEN, LLP GROWS BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA AND BL ONES TO
WATCH RANKINGS FOR 2024


COURT RULES COMMERCIAL CANNABIS BUSINESSES ARE SIMILAR TO CURRENT LAND USES AND
COVERED BY CITY’S GENERAL PLAN EIR


SB 329: INCREASE IN SALARY CAP FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS


BURKE IS A PROUD SUPPORTER OF WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION


BURKE, WILLIAMS & SORENSEN ADDS FIVE MEMBERS TO CONSTRUCTION LAW PRACTICE


THE NINTH CIRCUIT EMPHASIZES THAT USERRA REQUIRES EQUITABLE TREATMENT OF
EMPLOYEES ON SHORT-TERM MILITARY LEAVE


SUSAN ARDUENGO AND CHERYL JOHNSON-HARTWELL PRESENT ‘WORKPLACE HARASSMENT &
DISCRIMINATION’


SB 403 – CASTE BIAS PROHIBITION UP FOR DISCUSSION


RECENT CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT OPINION EMPHASIZES THAT DESIGN IMMUNITY


IN-LIEU FEES MUST BE REFUNDED IF CITY HAS NOT TIMELY MADE FIVE-YEAR FINDINGS
UNDER MFA, SIXTH DISTRICT RULES


CHANGES TO MEDICAL CANNABIS REGULATIONS AS A RESULT OF THE MEDICINAL CANNABIS
PATIENTS’ RIGHT OF ACCESS ACT


CALIFORNIA REQUIRES BEREAVEMENT LEAVE FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYERS


ELISABETH FRATER NAMED TO LABJ “LEADERS OF INFLUENCE 2023 – MINORITY ATTORNEYS”


SB 1439: NEW RULES ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION DISCLOSURE


AB 1751 ADDS COVID-19 AS WORKERS COMPENSATION INJURY


AB 1041 ADDS DESIGNATED PERSON TO LIST OF PERSONS EMPLOYEE CAN TAKE LEAVE TO
CARE FOR UNDER CFRA AND CALIFORNIA PAID SICK LEAVE


CALIFORNIA’S NEW PAY TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS


SB 6 – THE MIDDLE CLASS HOUSING ACT OF 2022


SB 1214 – NEW LIMITS ON USE AND DISCLOSURE OF ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS BY PUBLIC
AGENCIES


SB 1192 – STATE ALLOWS ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEER CONSULTANTS TO USE ESCROW
ACCOUNTS FOR RETENTION


AB 2173 – STATE PERMANENTLY LIMITS RETENTION TO 5% FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS


BURKE SECURES UNANIMOUS DEFENSE JURY VERDICT FOR CITY OF LOS ANGELES


DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS TO LEGISLATIVE BODIES PRIOR TO MEETINGS


PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REORGANIZATION TO TAKE EFFECT


NEW BY-RIGHT APPROVAL PROCESS FOR QUALIFYING HOUSING PROJECTS IN CERTAIN
COMMERCIAL ZONES


AB 2234 – POST-ENTITLEMENT PHASE PERMITS


AB 1857 – LEGISLATURE MAKES CHANGES TO RULES CONCERNING SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL


AB 1985 – STATE ADOPTS MODIFICATIONS TO ORGANIC WASTE LAWS


COMBATING WILDFIRES: IMPROVING DEFENSIBLE SPACE DATA COLLECTION


CHANGES TO GENERAL PLAN REPORTING DUE TO AB 1743 AND AB 2094


DAPHNE ANNEET NAMED TO LABJ ‘LEADERS OF INFLUENCE – LABOR & EMPLOYMENT ATTORNEYS
2022’


BURKE, WILLIAMS & SORENSEN, LLP ELEVATES FOUR MEMBERS TO EQUITY PARTNERS


CHANGES TO STATEWIDE ADU LAW DUE TO SB-897 AND AB-2221


NEW BROWN ACT PROVISIONS ALLOW ADDITIONAL PROCESS FOR REMOTE MEETING ATTENDANCE


AB 2097 – NO MORE MINIMUM PARKING REQUIREMENTS NEAR MAJOR TRANSIT


SB 1100 – ADDITIONAL PROCESS FOR REMOVAL OF DISRUPTIVE INDIVIDUALS FROM AGENCY
MEETINGS


CITY LEFT HOLDING THE TRASH BAG: WASTE HAULER FRANCHISE FEES MAY BE CHALLENGED
AS ILLEGAL TAXES


NINTH CIRCUIT RULES THAT OFFICIALS MAY VIOLATE FIRST AMENDMENT BY BLOCKING
PERSONS FROM PRIVATE SOCIAL MEDIA USED FOR GOVERNMENT BUSINESS


BURKE PARTNERS BRIAN PIERIK AND GREGORY RUBENS TO SERVE CITY OF PACIFIC GROVE


BURKE LABOR & EMPLOYMENT TRIAL TEAM OBTAINS COMPLETE DEFENSE JURY VERDICT IN
DISCRIMINATION SUIT


BURKE, WILLIAMS & SORENSEN, LLP EXPANDS EMINENT DOMAIN PRACTICE WITH BRENDA
AGUILAR-GUERRERO


IN MEMORIAM
H. JAMES WULFSBERG


BURKE PARTNERS ALAN SOZIO, NICHOLAS MUSCOLINO AND CHAD HERRINGTON TO PRESENT AT
THE 22ND ANNUAL EMINENT DOMAIN CONFERENCE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA


NLD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: ROBERT THEIRING


NINTH CIRCUIT AFFIRMS LANDMARK VICTORY FOR BURKE TEAM AND LINCOLN BENEFIT LIFE
COMPANY


BURKE, WILLIAMS & SORENSEN, LLP ELEVATES SIX MEMBERS TO EQUITY PARTNERS AND
APPOINTS A NEW GC


BURKE, WILLIAMS & SORENSEN, LLP ELEVATES FOUR ASSOCIATES TO INCOME PARTNERS


COURT HOLDS REQUESTING 47,000 PAGES NOT UNDULY BURDENSOME UNDER PUBLIC RECORDS
ACT


BURKE WINS CA 2ND DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL DECISION ON ‘OBVIOUS DEFECT’ AND
CONSTRUCTIVE NOTICE


SB 619 – TEMPORARY RELIEF FROM CALRECYCLE PENALTIES


BEST LAWYERS AGAIN DISTINGUISHES BURKE’S REAL ESTATE LAW TEAM AND CHAIR ANNA
SHIMKO


BURKE WINS CA 2ND DISTRICT CIRCUIT APPEAL DECISION ON POLICE PURSUIT POLICY


ASSEMBLY BILL 602 – NEW REQUIREMENTS ON IMPACT FEES


SENATE BILL 60 – STEEPER PENALTIES PERMITTED FOR SHORT TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE
INFRACTIONS


COURT OF APPEAL STRICTLY CONSTRUES BROWN ACT REQUIREMENT TO MAKE DOCUMENTS
AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE TIME OF DISTRIBUTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE
BODY


BURKE’S COVID-19 PANDEMIC RESOURCES


TIMOTHY DAVIS QUOTED IN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION ARTICLE DISCUSSING POLICE UNION
CONTRACTS AND REFORM


ARE FRANCHISE FEES ILLEGAL TAXES UNDER PROPS 218 AND 26?


BURKE’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC


CLASS ACTION COMPLAINT FILED IN CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA ALLEGING
VIOLATION OF THE CCPA BASED ON A 2019 DATA BREACH


EEOC ISSUES STATEMENT ON COVID-19


BURKE, WILLIAMS & SORENSEN, LLP CONTINUES EXPANSION WITH LAUNCH OF AN IP GROUP
AND THE OPENING OF A SAN DIEGO OFFICE


BURKE ACHIEVES NEARLY $1 MILLION JURY VERDICT AGAINST FRAUDULENT INSUREDS


BURKE PARTNER ALAN SOZIO WINS AT TRIAL


NAVY VETERAN GREGORY B. THOMAS JOINS BURKE’S OAKLAND OFFICE


MPWSP WINS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS DOCUMENT


BENICIA COUNCIL HIRES NEW CITY ATTORNEY


BURKE, WILLIAMS & SORENSEN NAMES THREE NEW OWNERS


BURKE, WILLIAMS & SORENSEN AND ITS EMPLOYEES RAISE MORE THAN $40,000 TO SUPPORT
HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS


SEE ALL NEWS RESULTS

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NEWS


PUBLIC LAW UPDATE - AB 821: RESOLVING GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING CONFLICTS

On October 11, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 821
(“AB 821”) to allow a development project to move forward in a timely manner
where the project complies with the general plan but the local agency’s zoning
...

NEWS


PUBLIC LAW UPDATE - AB 1633: ADDRESSING CEQA’S USE TO INDEFINITELY BLOCK INFILL
HOUSING

On October 11, 2023, Governor Newsom signed AB 1633 into law, which became
effective January 1, 2024. At its core, AB 1633 expands the Housing
Accountability Act (Government Code Section 65589.5, the “HAA”) to provide that
a local agency's failure ...

NEWS


BURKE LITIGATION TEAM SECURES DAILY JOURNAL 'TOP VERDICT' HONOR

Los Angeles, CA – A Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP Law Enforcement Defense
Litigation team has been distinguished in the 2024 edition of the Daily
Journal’s ‘Top Verdicts’ supplement for securing a high-profile defense verdict
in Rusanovskaya et al. v ...

NEWS


PUBLIC LAW UPDATE - AB 1490: ADAPTIVE REUSE OF EXISTING BUILDINGS AND
RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Assembly Bill 1490 (“AB 1490”) was signed into law on October 11, 2023, and is
intended to facilitate the adaptive reuse of existing buildings as well as
residential conversion of commercial buildings. Beginning January 1, 2024, AB
1490 requires local ...

NEWS


PUBLIC LAW UPDATE - AB 1218: EXPANSION OF "NO NET LOSS" REGULATIONS

Assembly Bill 1218 (“AB 1218”) became effective on January 1, 2024, and expands
the “no net loss” provisions in the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (“HCA”) that
prohibit cities from reducing the capacity for housing development, including
demolition protections designed ...

NEWS


PUBLIC LAW UPDATE - AB 821: RESOLVING GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING CONFLICTS

On October 11, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 821
(“AB 821”) to allow a development project to move forward in a timely manner
where the project complies with the general plan but the local agency’s zoning
...

NEWS


PUBLIC LAW UPDATE - AB 1633: ADDRESSING CEQA’S USE TO INDEFINITELY BLOCK INFILL
HOUSING

On October 11, 2023, Governor Newsom signed AB 1633 into law, which became
effective January 1, 2024. At its core, AB 1633 expands the Housing
Accountability Act (Government Code Section 65589.5, the “HAA”) to provide that
a local agency's failure ...

NEWS


BURKE LITIGATION TEAM SECURES DAILY JOURNAL 'TOP VERDICT' HONOR

Los Angeles, CA – A Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP Law Enforcement Defense
Litigation team has been distinguished in the 2024 edition of the Daily
Journal’s ‘Top Verdicts’ supplement for securing a high-profile defense verdict
in Rusanovskaya et al. v ...

NEWS


PUBLIC LAW UPDATE - AB 1490: ADAPTIVE REUSE OF EXISTING BUILDINGS AND
RESIDENTIAL CONVERSION OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Assembly Bill 1490 (“AB 1490”) was signed into law on October 11, 2023, and is
intended to facilitate the adaptive reuse of existing buildings as well as
residential conversion of commercial buildings. Beginning January 1, 2024, AB
1490 requires local ...

NEWS


PUBLIC LAW UPDATE - AB 1218: EXPANSION OF "NO NET LOSS" REGULATIONS

Assembly Bill 1218 (“AB 1218”) became effective on January 1, 2024, and expands
the “no net loss” provisions in the Housing Crisis Act of 2019 (“HCA”) that
prohibit cities from reducing the capacity for housing development, including
demolition protections designed ...

NEWS


PUBLIC LAW UPDATE - AB 821: RESOLVING GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING CONFLICTS

On October 11, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 821
(“AB 821”) to allow a development project to move forward in a timely manner
where the project complies with the general plan but the local agency’s zoning
...

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CAREERS AT BURKE



The successful candidate at Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP will share the
firm's commitment to a professional work environment that promotes equality,
dignity, and respect. We are dedicated to excellence, integrity, professional
growth, and personal fulfillment.

Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP provides equal employment opportunity to all
employees and applicants without regard to race, color, creed, gender, religion,
marital status, age, national origin, sex or any other applicable category
protected by state and/or federal laws. In addition to federal law requirements,
Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP complies with applicable state and local laws
governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the firm
has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment,
including recruiting, hiring, retention, placement, promotion, termination,
layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.



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EVENTS

EVENT

PARTNERS NIRA DOHERTY AND ANNA SHIMKO TO PRESENT AT CLE INTERNATIONAL CALIFORNIA
LAW USE LAW CONFERENCE

San Francisco, June 6, 2024

Burke Environmental, Land Use & Natural Resources partners Nira F. Doherty and
Anna C. Shimko will deliver seperate presentations at the CLE International
California Land Use Law Conference, taking place at the InterContinental San
Francisco Hotel on June 6 and ...

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