Legal Alerts Feb 16, 2023
In With the New – Part Five
BB&K’s New Law Guidance for a Well-Informed Start to 2023
At a Glance
Mike serves as city attorney or assistant city attorney to several California cities.
He has assisted public agencies in planning and carrying out major grant-funded capital facilities projects.
Mike has significant experience advising agencies on land use and development matters.
Michael Maurer practices Municipal Law as an attorney at Best Best & Krieger LLP. In addition to advising cities on the legalities of their day-to-day operations, Mike provides exceptional guidance to public agencies in the areas of land use, public infrastructure and construction, and open government and ethics laws.
Municipal Law
Mike serves as city attorney for the cities of La Habra Heights and San Jacinto, where he advises the city councils at each of their meetings. He also serves as assistant city attorney for the City of Arcadia. He is general counsel to the Pasadena Glen Community Services District and Apple Valley Fire Protection District, as well as assistant general counsel to Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency and Gold Coast Health Plan. As a municipal attorney, Mike works closely with local government boards, executives and staff members to find creative solutions to the challenges facing their communities.
Public Infrastructure and Facilities
Mike regularly guides clients through the process of constructing and improving public infrastructure and facilities. He advises on major construction and renovation projects involving tens of millions of dollars in public investment, and works with agencies to implement alternative options, such as design-build. Mike’s goal is to help clients deliver projects on-time and on-budget. To meet this challenge, he finds innovative approaches to resolve legal disputes that arise during construction, aiding clients in avoiding claims and negotiating settlements. Where necessary, Mike has also litigated construction disputes on behalf of public agency clients.
Land Use
Mike serves as counsel to the Arcadia Planning Commission and assists several planning departments in all facets of development and land use transactions. He regularly works with city planners to draft ordinances, negotiate agreements, prepare conditions of approval and take necessary steps to ensure that cities’ rights and interests are protected. He has advised on complex development matters, including negotiating development agreements, the creation of new subdivisions and entitlements for large-scale businesses.
Mike is also uniquely experienced with the Americans with Disabilities Act, having obtained a published decision in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that provides helpful guidance to agencies that own and operate facilities for public events. He has worked with agencies to resolve disputes and develop solutions for potential barriers to access in public facilities and rights of way.
As a law student at the UC College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly Hastings), Mike provided legal counsel to local community groups as part of the Community Economic Development Clinic. From this experience, he developed an understanding and passion for the important role that local government plays in serving in communities and bringing about positive change. He is grateful that he now has the opportunity to counsel the civic leaders who provide these services.
Education
- UC College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly Hastings), J.D., cum laude
- Chapman University, B.A., magna cum laude
Admissions
- California
Awards
- Top 40 Under 40, Daily Journal, 2021
- JD Supra Readers’ Choice Top Authors, 2020-2021
Legal Alerts Feb 02, 2023
In With The New – Part Three
BB&K’s New Law Guidance for a Well-Informed Start to 2023
Legal Alerts Jan 26, 2023
In With The New – Part Two
BB&K’s New Law Guidance for a Well-Informed Start to 2023
Legal Alerts Oct 11, 2022
Local Governing Board Members Will Now Have Conflict of Interest in Campaign Donors Appearing Before Their Agencies
Gov. Newsom signs SB 1439, Expanding the Levine Act’s Restrictions
Legal Alerts Oct 03, 2022
Brown Act Updates: Continued Remote Meetings & Removal of Disruptive Attendees
Takeaways From New Laws AB 2449 and SB 1100
Legal Alerts Apr 27, 2022
NFTs – Non-Fungible Campaign Contributions?
FPPC’s Newly Issued Leiderman Commission Opinion Provides Guidance on Campaign Reporting Obligations
Legal Alerts Apr 26, 2022
Will Virtual Public Meetings Continue Even After the Pandemic?
Two New Bills Could Ease California’s Teleconferencing Restrictions for the Long-Term
Legal Alerts Sep 14, 2021
Update: Gov. Newsom Signs AB 361 Amending the Brown Act
Urgency Bill Takes Immediate Effect to Allow Virtual Meetings Under Certain Circumstances
Legal Alerts May 10, 2021
U.S. Treasury Releases Guidance on the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
Six Ways the Funds Can be Used
Legal Alerts Apr 16, 2021
U.S. Treasury Releases New Guidance on the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund
Agencies Should Be Aware of Pre-Award Requirements
Authored Articles & Publications Mar 31, 2021
Dockless Scooters, Data & Privacy
Court Holds There is No Reasonable Expectation of Privacy in Rental Scooter Location Information
Legal Alerts Mar 22, 2021
Are Virtual Public Meetings Here to Stay?
Three New Bills Could Make Permanent Changes to Public Meetings
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
Legal Alerts Dec 04, 2020
California Issues Regional Stay Home Order
New Restrictions for Regions Lacking ICU Availability
Legal Alerts May 20, 2020
Update: California COVID-19 Readiness Criteria for County Variance on Reopening
More Counties to Potentially Qualify for a County Variance Under New Requirements
Legal Alerts May 12, 2020
California Applicant’s Briefings for COVID-19 FEMA Public Assistance Scheduled
Cal OES Providing Information via Live Webinars
Legal Alerts May 08, 2020
COVID-19: California to Begin Reopening Businesses
Resilience Roadmap Charts Course for Workplaces and Counties
Legal Alerts Apr 01, 2020
Preparing for COVID-19 Pandemic FEMA Public Assistance Reimbursement
Public Agencies Should Take Steps Now to be Eligible for Cost Recovery
Legal Alerts Mar 23, 2020
California Governor Issues New COVID-19 Executive Order Impacting Local Government
Addresses Open Meetings, Delivery Ordinances, Working After Retirement and Government Claim Deadlines During Coronavirus Pandemic
Legal Alerts Mar 18, 2020
Update: Calif. Open Meeting Requirements Under COVID-19
Governor Issues New Executive Order Excusing Physical Location Requirements for Public Comment and Observation for Public Meetings
Legal Alerts Mar 12, 2020
COVID-19 and Open Meeting Laws
California Governor Issues Executive Order Cancelling Large Gatherings and Suspending Certain Portions of the Brown Act
Legal Alerts Jan 08, 2020
New Housing & Land Use, Local Government and Public Contracting Laws
Part 2: California Laws Impacting Public Agencies for 2020
Legal Alerts Jan 03, 2020
Only a Contracting Party May Sue Under Government Code Section 1092
Calif. Supreme Court: San Diegans for Open Government v. Public Facilities Financing Authority of the City of San Diego
Legal Alerts Dec 03, 2019
Single Contractor Not Precluded from Providing Both Design and Construction Services
Case Provides Valuable Guidance for Public Agencies Wanting One Contractor for Two Phases
Authored Articles & Publications Oct 23, 2019
Connecting Housing and Transportation for Livable Cities
Livability Discussion Part 2 by Partners Ruben Duran and Michael Maurer in PublicCEO
Authored Articles & Publications Oct 23, 2019
In Housing Crisis, Calif. Lawmakers Look for Ways to Increase Livability
Livability Discussion Part 1 by Partners Ruben Duran and Michael Maurer in PublicCEO
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Legal Alerts Jan 10, 2019
New Year, New Laws Impacting Public Agencies in California – Part II
Housing and Land Use and Environmental Laws Saw Changes in 2019
Legal Alerts Jan 09, 2019
New Year, New Laws Impacting Public Agencies in California – Part I
2019 Brings Changes to Election, Revenue, Conflict of Interest, Property and Public Safety Laws… and More
Legal Alerts Jan 02, 2019
New Disability Access Informational Notices Required in California
AB 3002 Took Effect Jan. 1
Legal Alerts Mar 22, 2018
Government Contractor Recovers Bid Preparation Costs After Project Wrongly Awarded
California Appellate Court Expands Court’s Equitable Authority
Authored Articles & Publications Jul 26, 2017
Independent Contractors & Consultants Acting on Government Contracts May be Subject to Conflict of Interest Laws
By Gary W. Schons and Michael Maurer
Legal Alerts Jul 11, 2017
Independent Contractors & Consultants Can be Subject to Conflict of Interest Laws
California Supreme Court Sets New Precedent for GC Section 1090
Legal Alerts Jun 28, 2017
Failure to Register Public Works Projects with DIR Could Result in Penalties
New California Law Takes Effect Immediately
Legal Alerts May 09, 2017
U.S. Supreme Court Sides with Cities, Allowing Lawsuits Against Banks for Fair Housing Act Violations
Bank of America v. City of Miami (Consolidated with Wells Fargo & Co. v. City of Miami)
Legal Alerts Jan 05, 2016
California Appellate Court: Possession of Documents Requested Under Public Records Act Does Not Render Request Moot
Decision in Case Arising from Wrongful Termination Claims Against a School District
Legal Alerts Jan 27, 2015
No Time Restrictions on PRA Information from Police Agencies
Court of Appeal Rules No Time Limit on Records, but Burden on Agency May be Considered
Legal Alerts Sep 15, 2014
Ninth Circuit: Cities Must Have On-Street Disabled Parking
Cities Have an Obligation Under the ADA
Legal Alerts Jul 30, 2014
Public Bleachers Constructed Prior to the ADA Don’t Need Additional Improvements if a Viable Alternative is Offered
Published Case Provides Blueprint for Viable Alternative Seating
- “Prevailing Wages: SB 96,” BBKnowledge, Nov. 16, 2017
- “Cities Can Sue Banks for Predatory Lending, U.S. Supreme Court Says,” BBKnowledge, May 16, 2017
- “2014 Legislative Highlights,” California Real Property Journal, April 29, 2015
- “Losing Bidders Can Sue When Winners Don’t Pay Prevailing Wages,” Daily Journal, March 13, 2015
- “New Law Changes Landscape for Public Projects,” Daily Journal, Jan. 30, 2015
- “Legal and Ethical Framework for New Public Officials,” BBKnowledge, Jan. 22, 2015
- “Guidance Lacking for On-Street Disabled Parking,” Daily Journal, Oct. 2, 2014
