Municipal Law

Under increasing pressure posed by state and federal government mandates and insufficient available funding, cities and public agencies must balance budgets, manage competing interests and serve their constituencies. Meeting all these needs requires a high level of regulatory and legal knowledge and experience, as well as public relations and political finesse. 

Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Municipal Law practice is regarded as a leader in the field, ranked “Tier One” by U.S. News-Best Lawyers in America. Our attorneys are consistently recognized on various top attorney rankings lists, including Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. The practice, established at the firm’s inception in 1891, currently represents close to 250 cities and counties.

Our highly skilled, diverse team of lawyers offers comprehensive, cost-effective counsel to cities, housing authorities, successor agencies and joint powers authorities. We help these clients successfully maneuver through legal complexities and governmental directives, enabling them to focus on providing superior service to their communities. 

Comprehensive, Cost-Effective Service 
BB&K Municipal Law attorneys advise on all matters involving city services, operations, administration and regulation. These include:

City Attorney Services

• Brown Act/open meetings law compliance
• Charters and Internal Organizations
• Comprehensive Code Enforcement
• Conflicts of interest
• Elections and redistricting issues
• Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
• Government Policy & Public Integrity
• Public Records Act 
• Records retention and destruction
• Subpoenas 

Public Finance

• Grant writing and funding assistance
• Fees, Taxes & Assessments
• Public-Private Partnerships

Government Relations

Labor & Employment, including Employee Benefits

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Public Contracts, Public Works, Utilities & Infrastructure

• Business Licensing & Franchising 
• Renewable Energy 
• Solid Waste Management
• Telecommunications
• Transportation 
• Water 

Public Safety

Planning, Development & Real Estate Issues

• Economic Development, Real Estate & Affordable Housing 
• Environmental Law
• Land Use, Planning & Zoning
• Real estate acquisition, transactions and construction issues
• Williamson Act

Advocacy & Litigation
Unlike other firms, which focus on either lobby and advocacy or city services guidance, BB&K has extensive experience assisting clients in both areas. Working closely with our government relations and litigation teams, we advocate for clients before legislative and regulatory bodies, and assert and defend their interests in courts at all levels. This integrated approach enables clients to rely on just one firm to meet all of their city services and advocacy needs. 

Election Law Resource Center

BB&K’s Election Law Resource Center gives California cities the Vote of Confidence they need to ensure legal compliance with all aspects of local elections. This unique service includes:

• A digital copy of BB&K’s Election Law Toolkit
• ​Email and telephone hotline

Get Your Vote of Confidence