Keeping Public Entities Strong

Diligent representation of a public or quasi-public entity is a complex undertaking, requiring a complete understanding of wide-ranging and often convoluted statutory and regulatory schemes, including the Government Code, the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, the Education Code, and the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 (“the 37 Act”), among others.

Among McCormick Barstow’s attorneys are practitioners who come from government practice, having worked directly with mayors, city councils, city managers and their staff.  We therefore possess an insider’s perspective and first-hand experience regarding the challenges our clients must address, enhancing our ability to effectively represent their interests.

Our attorneys regularly handle a wide range of public entity matters ranging from premises liability to pension matters, and our attorneys are well-versed in providing representation in the context of both open- and closed-session board meetings.

Drawing on our broadly ranging public entity expertise, we regularly advise Housing Authorities, City Councils and County Commissions, Zoning Boards, Transportation Districts, Police Chiefs and Officers, County Sheriffs and Deputies, Jail and Prison Employees, School Systems and Districts, Teachers and School Employees, Fire Districts, Publicly Owned Utilities, Water Districts, Farm Bureaus, Community Service Districts, Hospital Districts, and Risk Management Authorities.

The environment in which public entities function is always changing and litigation raises issues beyond a particular lawsuit. We appreciate the public trust bestowed on us and we have handled thousands of matters involving public entity liability. Everything from dangerous condition claims, to contract disputes, to employment matters, to constitutional actions. Because of that, our public agency clients, and the communities they represent, get superior representation and advice.

• Public Entity attorneys deal with issues involving—ADA accessibility compliance
• Anti-SLAPP
• Child Protective Services
• Civil rights claims
• Constitutional claims
• Contract disputes
• Dangerous condition of public property
• Defamation, false light, invasion of privacy
• Employment
• Land use matters
• Police liability, including false arrest, excessive force, search and pursuit issues