Downey Selects BB&K as City Attorney

Following a lengthy search and interview process, the Downey City Council has announced that it will hire the law firm of Best Best & Krieger LLP (BB&K) to serve as its city attorney, effective July 1.  Edward W. Lee, a partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office, will act as city attorney replacing retiring Downey city attorney Charles S. Vose.  Stephen M. Fischer, an associate in the firm’s Los Angeles office, will serve as assistant city attorney.

As Downey’s city attorney, Lee will attend regular city council and planning commission meetings and hold weekly office hours at city hall.  Lee, Fischer, and other BB&K attorneys and staff will provide additional basic legal services (consultations, advice, ordinances, agreements, contracts, etc.) and special legal services (litigation, complex real estate, complex environmental, labor, etc.) as requested by the city.

Lee has been providing legal services to Downey and its Community Redevelopment Commission for the past 10 years, including previously serving as the city’s assistant city attorney.  “I believe we were selected for this position because of my familiarity with the city’s legal issues coupled with the firm’s many resources for municipalities,” said Lee.  “This combination means that BB&K can quickly and efficiently address the legal needs of Downey.”

Gerald Caton, Downey city manager, stated “The City conducted an extensive search and interview process.  Mr. Lee and BB&K were selected because they have the commitment and capacity to meet the many challenges and opportunities facing Downey in the years to come.”

With the addition of Downey, BB&K now serves as city attorney to 31 cities in California -- more than any other law firm in the state – including seven cities in Los Angeles County.  In addition, the firm’s 110 municipal attorneys practice from eight California offices -- more California offices than any other municipal law firm.

“Best Best & Krieger’s legacy is public law and we look forward to serving the needs of the City of Downey,” says John Brown, chair of the firm’s municipal and redevelopment law practice group.  “We are also honored to be the law firm that serves as general and special counsel to the largest number of cities - large and small - throughout the state.”

Lee is a partner in the firm’s municipal and redevelopment law practice group.  He has over 30 years of experience in general municipal law, the Brown Act, land use and planning issues, redevelopment and eminent domain law.  In addition to the city of Downey, Lee serves as city attorney for the cities of Bell, Covina and Gardena.  He also acts as special or general counsel to various Southern California redevelopment agencies.  Lee has served as assistant special counsel to the Riverside Redevelopment Agency and as assistant general counsel to the Compton Redevelopment Agency.

Fischer is an associate in the firm’s municipal and redevelopment law practice group.  He serves as assistant city attorney for the cities of Bell, Covina and Gardena, where he advises city officials on administrative hearings, public contracts, land use issues, and compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and Public Records Act.  Fischer also provides ethics training to city elected officials, appointed boards and staff.  He has served as assistant general counsel to the Water Replenishment District of Southern California and as assistant city attorney for several cities in Los Angeles County.

BB&K’s Los Angeles office recently moved into a larger space on the 25th floor of downtown’s One California Plaza building to accommodate their significant growth plans.  The LA office also added half a dozen attorneys, including a couple of very seasoned legal advisors, with plans for more growth to serve the needs of LA County public entities and private businesses.

"Our growth plans for Los Angeles County are aggressive and this office expansion is evidence of our success thus far,” says Dean Derleth, LA office managing partner.  “We have the right attorneys with the right expertise to build long and successful relationships with our clients in the area, and we are thrilled to be able to bring our cost-effective municipal and private expertise to this region.”