Event Apr 29, 2021
Emerging Issues Relevant to City Attorneys
League of California Cities 2021 City Attorneys' Conference
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
- 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
Event Apr 19, 2021
Water, Cable Franchising and Federal Communications Updates
International Municipal Lawyers Association 2021 Mid-Year Seminar
Legal Alerts Apr 08, 2021
California Small Cell Bill to Severely Limit Local Government Control of Street Lights and Traffic Signal Poles
Oppose SB 556: Hearing Set for April 19
Event Apr 08, 2021
Public Records, Social Media, Redistricting and More
City Clerks Association of California's 2021 Annual Conference
Press Releases Apr 01, 2021
JD Supra Recognizes BB&K Attorneys With 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards
Construction Law Top Author and a Top-Read Tax Article
Authored Articles & Publications Mar 31, 2021
Dockless Scooters, Data & Privacy
Court Holds There is No Reasonable Expectation of Privacy in Rental Scooter Location Information
Press Releases Mar 30, 2021
Latino Leader Worth Watching: BB&K Partner Ruben Duran
Municipal Law Attorney Recognized by Profiles in Diversity Journal
Legal Alerts Mar 25, 2021
Appellate Decisions Limiting Groundwater Pumping in an Overdrafted Basin
Antelope Valley Groundwater Basin Adjudication
Legal Alerts Mar 19, 2021
Disclosing Law Enforcement Personnel Records
The Intersection Between Brady Lists, Pitchess Statutes and SB 1421
Legal Alerts Mar 18, 2021
Calif. Cities Can Still Impose Commercial Eviction Moratoriums
Executive Order Extends Authorization
Legal Alerts Mar 11, 2021
COVID-19 Relief Package Provides Substantial Aid to States, Counties and Cities
$1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Federal Relief Package – American Rescue Plan Act
Authored Articles & Publications Mar 08, 2021
Sidewalk Vending Laws: Three Lessons Learned
BB&K Attorney Albert Maldonado Shares Insights from Helping Cities with Sidewalk Vendor Laws
Free Webinar Mar 04, 2021
Regulating OTARDS: The Other Small Cells
BB&K Free Webinar
Client Successes Mar 01, 2021
Grocer Pandemic Pay Ordinance Upheld
BB&K Team Defends City’s Ordinance from Injunction Action in Federal Court
Free Webinar Feb 18, 2021
2021 Public Records Act Legislative Update
BB&K Free Webinar
Press Releases Feb 10, 2021
BB&K Announces Election Law Practice Expansion and New Client Services
A “Toolkit” and Hotline Among New Offerings
Press Releases Feb 03, 2021
BB&K Office Makes Sacramento Top 10 Law Firm
Sacramento Business Journal’s Annual Law Firm Rankings
Legal Alerts Feb 03, 2021
Court Provides Guidance in Applying “Racially Polarized Voting” Analysis to a California Voting Rights Act Challenge
Court of Appeal Decision in Yumori-Kaku et al. v. City of Santa Clara
Legal Alerts Feb 03, 2021
FCC Continues to Undercut Local Authority on OTARD
Oversight of Satellite Dishes and Certain Antennas Curtailed
Legal Alerts Feb 01, 2021
Cities are Not Liable for Lessees’ Exercise of Choice in Speakers
Ninth Circuit Affirms Limits on Private and Municipal Liability for First Amendment Violations
Authored Articles & Publications Feb 01, 2021
Frequently Asked Questions About New Social Media and Open Meeting Laws
BB&K’s HongDao Nguyen and Albert Maldonado Answer Public Officials’ Questions on AB 992 on the CSDA Blog
Press Releases Jan 28, 2021
ARC: Advanced Records Center’s Christine Wood Named a Top Minority Attorney by L.A. Business Journal
A Trusted Advisor in the Business of Public Service
Press Releases Jan 26, 2021
Six BB&K Attorneys Make Southern California Super Lawyers List
BB&K Attorneys Spanning Across Los Angeles and Irvine Receive 2021 Honor
Legal Alerts Jan 25, 2021
Redistricting in California
What Public Agencies Must Know Ahead of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Data Release
Authored Articles & Publications Jan 20, 2021
Public Record Costs
Director of PRA Services and e-Discovery Counsel Christine Wood Discusses National Lawyers Guild v. City of Hayward in Sacramento Magazine
Legal Alerts Jan 19, 2021
Elected Officials Entitled to Some, Not All, Public Agency Records
Access Depends on if Record Request is from “Elected Official” or “Member of the Public”
Legal Alerts Jan 14, 2021
Wage & Hour, Leave and Other New Laws for California Employers
Part 2: New Labor & Employment Laws for Businesses and Public Agencies in 2021
Legal Alerts Jan 13, 2021
COVID-19 Laws Impacting California Employers
Part 1: New Labor & Employment Laws for Businesses and Public Agencies in 2021
Authored Articles & Publications Jan 08, 2021
Best in Law: Protecting Privacy on COVID-19 Contact Tracing Apps
Glen Price Discusses Privacy Issues Around COVID-19 CA Notify App and Others
Event Jan 08, 2021
Planning, Zoning and Development Law: What's New from California's Judicial and Legislative Branches
UCLA Extension Public Policy Program's 35th Annual Land Use Law & Planning Conference
Legal Alerts Jan 07, 2021
California Public Records Act Update
New CPRA Case Law and Legislation for 2021
Legal Alerts Jan 06, 2021
Court Confirms FPPC's Authority to Punish Public Agencies That Spend Undisclosed Public Money to Influence Voters at Elections
California Trial Court Rules on Campaign-Related Public Spending
Legal Alerts Jan 06, 2021
Housing and Environmental New Laws
Part 2: New Laws Impacting California Public Agencies for 2021
Legal Alerts Jan 05, 2021
New Public Agency Laws on Safety, Finance, Contracting and More
Part 1: New Laws Impacting California Public Agencies for 2021
Press Releases Jan 04, 2021
New Partner, Leaders and Diversity Committee
BB&K Announces Changes for 2021
Authored Articles & Publications Dec 28, 2020
Partner Jack Clarke Honors Colleague John Brown
Riverside Lawyer Magazine Feature on Brown, the Krieger Meritorious Service Award Winner
Legal Alerts Dec 21, 2020
Special Taxes by Voter Initiative Only Require Majority Voter Approval
For the Second Time This Year, California Appellate Court Upholds Voting Requirement
Legal Alerts Dec 17, 2020
Taxpayer Actions Can be Used to Challenge Government Contracts Even After Contract Completion
California Court of Appeal Decision in School District Case Applies to Public Agencies
Legal Alerts Dec 16, 2020
New Surplus Land Act Requirements to Take Effect Jan. 1
California Public Agencies Impacted by AB 1486 Mandates
Legal Alerts Dec 14, 2020
New Tribal Consultation Process for Multi-Family Housing
California’s AB 168 Adds Requirements to Approval Process
Legal Alerts Dec 10, 2020
EPA Issues Guidance on Groundwater Releases in Wake of Maui v. Hawai’i Wildlife Fund
Clarity Provided for New “Functional Equivalent” Test
BB&K In the News Dec 08, 2020
BB&K Attorney and Barrett, The Honors College at ASU Alum Christina Morgan Profiled
The Business Practice Group Member Featured in Alumni Newsletter
Legal Alerts Dec 04, 2020
California Issues Regional Stay Home Order
New Restrictions for Regions Lacking ICU Availability
BB&K In the News Dec 03, 2020
BB&K Partner Ryan Baron Advising Calif. Cities on CCA Energy Path
Orange County Cities Seeking Guidance, According to News Reports
Press Releases Dec 02, 2020
BB&K Partners Named Coachella Valley Top Lawyers for 2020
Palm Springs Life Magazine Recognizes Henry Welles and Robert Hargreaves
Legal Alerts Dec 02, 2020
During a Pandemic, is a Grocery Store Run the Same as a Baptism Under the 1st Amendment?
SCOTUS Sets Aside New York Limits on Religious Gatherings
Legal Alerts Dec 01, 2020
SB 1383 Regulations on Organic Waste are Finalized
Local Government Agencies Should Begin Preparing for Jan. 1, 2022 Effective Date
Legal Alerts Nov 30, 2020
FPPC Finds Potential Conflict of Interest Based on Elected Officials’ Spouses’ Positions
The Spouses Work at Health Care Facilities that Compete with Project Under City Council Consideration
Event Nov 20, 2020
California Land Use Law & Policy Conference 2020
Argent Communications Group
BB&K Webinar Nov 18, 2020
Comments, Likes and Emojis, Oh My! An Update on Evolving Social Media Law for Public Officials and Agencies
BB&K Free Webinar
Legal Alerts Nov 17, 2020
Cell Site Landlords: Expect Increase in Requests to Install Generators
Don’t Surrender Your Property Rights
Legal Alerts Nov 16, 2020
CPRA Requesters Could Pay Agency Costs to Store Emails
Requesters Must Post an Undertaking if Public Agency Will Suffer Certain Damages During Injunction Proceedings
Legal Alerts Nov 10, 2020
California Clears the Path for Rentals in Residential Common Interest Developments
However, AB 3182 Creates Ambiguity for Rental Restrictions in CIDs
BB&K Event Nov 09, 2020
AEP 2020 Virtual Conference
Association of Environmental Professionals
BB&K Webinar Nov 05, 2020
Be Aware of Hot Telecommunications Issues in 2020-2021
BB&K Free Webinar
Press Releases Nov 05, 2020
BB&K’s 2021 Best Law Firms Rankings Include New Tier 1 Recognitions
Annual U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers List
Press Releases Nov 04, 2020
Labor & Employment Partner Alison Alpert Named a Woman of Influence
SD Metro Magazine Recognizes San Diego Women for their Professional Achievements
BB&K Event Oct 29, 2020
MMASC Annual Virtual Conference
Municipal Management Association of Southern California
Legal Alerts Oct 27, 2020
Calif. Housing Laws Amended by 2020 Bills
Limited Local Control, Affordable Housing Incentives and More
Legal Alerts Oct 27, 2020
Mobile Billboard Ordinance that Exempts Certain Vehicles is a Content-Based Regulation
Such Regulations are Subject to Strict Scrutiny, Ninth Circuit Rules
Authored Articles & Publications Oct 20, 2020
Public Officials' New Social Media Open Meeting Law
California's AB 992 Analyzed in PublicCEO by BB&K's HongDao Nguyen and Albert Maldonado
Free Webinar Oct 15, 2020
AB 1234 Ethics Training (Oct. 15, 2020)
BB&K Workshop via Webinar
BB&K Webinar Oct 08, 2020
Demonstrations and the Changing Face of Public Speech in the United States: A View from the End of Apartheid in South Africa
BB&K Free Webinar
Event Oct 07, 2020
LCC 2020 Annual Conference & Expo
League of California Cities
Press Releases Oct 01, 2020
BB&K Attorney Nowland Hong a 2020 Person of the Year
Metropolitan-News Enterprise Honors Litigator for Work on New Book “Lawyers of Los Angeles”
BB&K Webinar Sep 30, 2020
Disclosure Obligations of Issuers in Public Offerings
BB&K Free Webinar
Legal Alerts Sep 30, 2020
DOL Clarified the Federal Family First Coronavirus Response Act
New Rules and a Court Decision Followed the FFCRA’s Passage
Legal Alerts Sep 29, 2020
SB 1383 Expands Calif. Family Rights Act
New Law Takes Effect Jan. 1
Press Releases Sep 28, 2020
Partner John E. Brown Receives James H. Krieger Meritorious Service Award
Riverside County Bar Association Honors Long-Term Community Service
Legal Alerts Sep 24, 2020
Western Joshua Trees Receive Temporary Protection Under the California Endangered Species Act
Designation Impacts Local Ordinances and Developments Involving the Tree
Press Releases Sep 23, 2020
BB&K Partner Nancy Park is a Woman Worth Watching
Profiles in Diversity Journal Named the Business Practice Leader to its Annual List
Legal Alerts Sep 23, 2020
Two Courts Offer Election Guidance: Slow-Walking Ballots is Unconstitutional
Mail-In and Absentee Ballots Debated in COVID-19 Pandemic and Election Day Overlap
Client Successes Sep 22, 2020
Nevada Water Rights Victory
BB&K Attorney Rod Walston Successful in Public Trust Doctrine Dispute in Nevada Supreme Court
Press Releases Sep 22, 2020
Partner Gerry Lederer Received IMLA Outstanding Associate Member Award
Recognized for Going “Above and Beyond” in Achievements and Contributions to Organization
Legal Alerts Sep 21, 2020
AB 992: Open Meeting Laws and Social Media
New California Law Addresses Prohibition on Serial Meetings on Social Media
Event Sep 21, 2020
IMLA 2020 Annual Conference
International Municipal Lawyers Association
Legal Alerts Sep 17, 2020
An Extraordinary Smackdown of an Ordinary Sign Ordinance
Court Invalidates Common Sign Ordinance on First Amendment Grounds
Press Releases Sep 15, 2020
BB&K Receives High Ranks for Law Firm Diversity
Firm Leadership Renews Commitment to Supporting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Press Releases Sep 15, 2020
D.C. Litigator Lisa A. Bell Joins BB&K Labor & Employment Practice
Former Senior Counsel and Trial Attorney in the D.C. AG's Office
Press Releases Sep 11, 2020
BB&K Attorney Nicholaus Norvell Named a Top 40 Under 40 in San Diego
San Diego Daily Transcript Recognizes Young Professionals
Legal Alerts Sep 10, 2020
Critical Habitat Designation Regulation Change Proposed
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Proposes New Rule Regarding Exclusion of Lands from Critical Habitat for Federally Listed Species
Press Releases Sep 09, 2020
Rio Plaza Elementary Students Received Donated Backpacks Filled with Supplies
BB&K’s Annual Operation Backpack Help Students Learn at Home
BB&K Webinar Sep 08, 2020
Clearing the Haze: Demystifying Cannabis Code Enforcement
BB&K Free Webinar
Legal Alerts Sep 08, 2020
DWR Releases Draft Guidebook for 2020 Urban Water Management Plans
Stakeholders Have Until Sept. 21 to Review and Comment
Legal Alerts Sep 03, 2020
AB 3088: California Eviction Protections
The Tenant, Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020
Legal Alerts Sep 02, 2020
New Filing Requirements for CEQA Documents
Significant Changes begin Nov. 3
Legal Alerts Sep 01, 2020
California Supreme Court Clarifies Ministerial vs. Discretionary Actions Under CEQA for Well Construction Permits
Decision in Protecting Our Water and Environmental Resources v. County of Stanislaus Case
BB&K In the News Sep 01, 2020
BB&K Partner Appointed to the Bench
Kara Ueda Will Serve on the Sacramento Superior Court
Authored Articles & Publications Sep 01, 2020
City Officials Must Be Neutral & Unbiased
PublicCEO Article Examines California Precedent-Setting Bias Tainting Decision
Event Aug 31, 2020
NATOA Annual Conference
National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors
Event Aug 27, 2020
WRCOG Webinar: Navigating Virtual Governance and the Brown Act in a COVID-19 Climate
Western Riverside Council of Governments
Press Releases Aug 20, 2020
36 BB&K Attorneys Recognized on The Best Lawyers in America List for 2021
Three Named “Lawyers of the Year” and One Included on “Ones to Watch” List
Legal Alerts Aug 17, 2020
5G Infrastructure Decision Mixed for Local Governments
Ninth Circuit Takes on FCC Small Cell Orders
BB&K In the News Aug 14, 2020
Two BB&K Attorneys Teach Law Students in Ukraine
San Diego Lawyer Features Scott Smith’s and Elizabeth Hull’s Journey to Bring Western-Style Law Principals to Ukraine
Legal Alerts Aug 13, 2020
Challenge to Prop 15: Courts Don’t Mess with Initiatives (or AGs Who Summarize Them)
Swift Decision Rejects Ballot Language Opposition
Press Releases Aug 11, 2020
BB&K Attorneys Named to 2020 Top Lawyers in Sacramento List
Sacramento Magazine Annual List Based on Peer Votes
Authored Articles & Publications Aug 10, 2020
COVID-19 and Face Masks: Local Enforcement Tools
In PublicCEO, BB&K's Lauren Langer and Kathy Shin Discuss Ways California Cities Are Enforcing Face Covering Requirements
BB&K In the News Aug 06, 2020
BB&K Returns to Ontario as City Attorney
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Reports on Unanimous Vote by City Council
Legal Alerts Aug 06, 2020
Local Utility Charges Cannot Be Challenged by Referendum
Calif. Supreme Court Decision in Wilde v. City of Dunsmuir
Key Contacts
Related Services
- ARC: Advanced Records Center
- Business Licensing & Franchising
- California Public Records Act
- Charters & Internal Organizations
- Comprehensive Code Enforcement
- Economic Development, Real Estate & Affordable Housing
- Election Law
- Eminent Domain
- Energy
- Fees, Taxes & Assessments
- Government Policy & Public Integrity
- Government Relations
- Hazardous Waste
- Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
- Police & Public Safety
- Privacy & Cybersecurity
- Public Agency Labor & Employment
- Public Agency Litigation
- Public Contracts & Construction
- Public Finance
- Public-Private Partnerships
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
- Water