Public Law - Municipal Agencies and Special Districts

Ed  has advised and represented individuals, open government, and community groups, and previously local agencies, in a wide variety of municipal and public law areas. These areas include  the Brown Act - the state's open meetings law, the California Public Records Act, Political Reform Act, child welfare, elections, and housing law.  Mr. Yates' experience in these agencies - and holding agencies accountable - enables him to have a deep understanding of the intricacies of government processes and approvals.

Detailed List of Public Agency
and Special District Areas of Practice

  • Affordable housing
  • California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
  • Climate change
  • Coastal Act
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Election procedures and challenges
  • Endangered species
  • Environmental law
  • Historic preservation
  • Infrastructure development
  • LAFCO proceedings
  • Land use planning, planning, and inverse condemnation
  • Litigation services
  • Open meeting (Brown Act)
  • ​Public records requirements
  • Public taxation (Propositions 218 and 26)
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Special district act interpretation
  • Subdivision Map Act
  • Water rights and public trust

See Cases