Associate
Henry G. Castillo
Henry G. Castillo gained first-hand knowledge of the legislative process on a variety of public policy issues from his years serving elected officials at the state level. As a Municipal Law attorney at Best Best & Krieger LLP, he brings that valuable experience and insight to his local public agency clients.
Before joining BBK, Henry was deputy district director for California Sen. Connie M. Leyva. The position gave him a unique opportunity to see how cities and special districts work and interact with the communities they serve. Henry worked on some of the most critical issues local government agencies in California face, including legislation related to development, employment, the environment and water and veterans affairs. He was the lead staffer on labor, business, civil rights, immigration and water policy areas — a role that required frequent interaction with various water districts.
Henry previously worked as a district representative to former state Sen. Alex Padilla. He also worked for Padilla prior to law school as a California Senate Fellow. Henry assisted in developing and drafting legislation that eventually became law. During that time, he was concurrently enrolled at California State University, Sacramento taking graduate level classes in government and public policy.
Henry has put his extensive legislative background to work for public agency clients, such as in drafting ordinances for sidewalk/street vending and cannabis sales. Henry negotiates complex public contracts, advocating for his public agency clients’ best interests. He has authored a variety of Legal Alerts on topics including cannabis, homelessness and Fair Political Practices Commissions regulations, and has presented on sidewalk street vending. His article on COVID-19 and local authority was chosen as a runner-up in the Public Law Journal's 2020 Writing Competition.
Henry advises clients on a multitude of legal areas, including conflict of interest, the Brown Act, local elections laws, constitutional law issues, public contracting and some labor and employment issues. Henry advises both municipal and special district clients.
While attending the UC College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly Hastings), Henry clerked for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Hard Core Gang Division, where he conducted legal research. Henry also served as a legislative aide in the state Senate during law school.
A U.S. Navy veteran, Henry is married with a daughter. He enjoys grilling for his family and friends and rooting for their favorite team the LA Galaxy. Henry also serves on the Chaffey College Foundation Board’s Executive Committee.
- Chaffey College Licensed Vocational Nursing Program, Advisory Committee
- Chaffey College Foundation, Executive Board
Publications
- “What the Beep? Limits of Public Comment During Brown Act Meetings,” California Special Districts magazine, Volume 10, Issue 4, July/August 2024
- “The COVID-19 Pandemic, the Role of Counties and Cities, and Constitutional Challenges to the Exercise of their Authority,” Public Law Journal, Spring 2020
Presentations
- “Planning Commissioner Jeopardy,” League of California Cities 2025 Planning Commissioners Academy, March 6, 2025
- “Municipal Law Jeopardy,” Municipal Management Association of Southern California Annual Conference, Nov. 13, 2024
- “'What the Bleep!' Limits of Public Comment,” California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, Sept. 10, 2024
- “Planning Commissioner Jeopardy,” League of California Cities Planning Commissioners Academy, Mar. 7, 2024
- “Becoming an Effective Commissioner - Navigating Staff Relations and Approaches to Policy Implementation and Decision-Making,” League of California Cities Planning Commissioners Academy, Mar. 7, 2024
- “Park and Recreation Law Jeopardy!” California Park & Recreation Society Conference & Expo, Feb. 29, 2024
- “What the Bleep!' Limits of Public Comment,” UCLA Extension CEQA Updates: Issues and Trends in 2023. Dec. 6, 2023
- “Municipal Law Jeopardy,” Municipal Management Association of Southern California Annual Conference, Nov. 2, 2023
- “'What the Bleep!' Limits of Public Comment,” League of California Cities Annual Conference, Sept. 21, 2023
- “Park and Recreation Law Jeopardy!,” California Park & Recreation Society's Conference & Expo, Apr. 6, 2023
- “Planning Commissioner Jeopardy,” League of California Cities Planning Commissioners Academy, Mar. 30, 2023
- “Ethics and Government – Cross-jurisdictional Jeopardy,” NALEO 14th Biennial National Institute for Newly Elected Officials, Nov. 18, 2022
- “Municipal Law Jeopardy,” Municipal Management Association of Southern California Annual Conference, Nov. 3, 2022
- “Municipal Law Jeopardy,” National Association of Latino Elected Officials Annual Conference, June 24, 2022
- Associated Student Inc. College of Natural and Social Sciences Alumni Panel, California State University, Los Angeles, Mar. 11, 2022
- “Municipal Law Jeopardy,” Municipal Management Association of Southern California Annual Conference, Oct. 28, 2021
- “Municipal Law Jeopardy,” Municipal Management Association of Southern California Summer Session, July 29, 2021
- “Thinking Like a Lawyer: A Framework to Critical Thinking,” Municipal Management Association of Southern California Annual Conference, Oct. 29, 2020
- “AB 1234 Ethics Training,” BBK Webinar, Oct. 15, 2020
- “AB 1234 Ethics Training,” BBK Webinar, July 15, 2020
- “Reopening Government During COVID-19,” Municipal Management Association of Southern California Webinar, July 9, 2020
- “Understanding the Brown Act,” California Special Districts Association Workshop, Feb. 26, 2020
- “The Brown Act: The People’s Business and the Right to Access," BBK Workshop via Webinar, Jan. 16, 2020
- “Clearing the Smoke: 3 Years of Legal Cannabis in California,” BBK Webinar, Nov. 20, 2019
- “How Can Your Attorney Help Your Public Agency,” Municipal Management Association of Southern California Annual Conference, Nov. 15, 2019
- “Enforcement of Solicitation/Panhandling Regulations and Overview of SB 946 (Sidewalk Vending),” BBK Webinar, Dec. 11, 2018
