Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
When LAFCOs consider proposals for city and special district formations or boundary changes, they must balance service efficiencies, and housing and economic development needs with competing interests in preserving natural resources.
As a recognized leader in public agency law and representation, Best Best & Krieger LLP brings wide-ranging knowledge and experience addressing the issues impacting LAFCOs and LAFCO matters affecting other agencies.
Actively involved in developing and reviewing legislation and evaluating its impact on LAFCOs, we regularly advise our clients on the complex and frequently changing laws pertaining to local government. Our firm is general counsel to the San Bernardino, Orange, Merced, Santa Clara, Marin and El Dorado LAFCOs and the California Association of LAFCOs. We also serve as special counsel to the Los Angeles and Marin LAFCOs. Through our extensive experience, we know how LAFCOs operate and are well-versed in LAFCO law, enabling us to effectively represent LAFCOs, as well as cities, counties, special districts and other public agency clients on LAFCO-related issues.
Unmatched Experience
BB&K offers an insider’s perspective on the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Reorganization Act of 2000. We have served on task forces for legislative cleanup, for adoption of municipal service review guidelines, and to modify and clarify the revenue neutrality statute and other CKH provisions related to incorporations.
Comprehensive Service
From CKH compliance through policy adoption/implementation, we provide dynamic solutions to the legal challenges our clients face. Our comprehensive, cost-effective legal services include:
- General counsel advice on Brown Act, Political Reform Act and Public Records Act compliance, and public policy and ethics obligations
- Public finance, taxes and bonds
- Environmental compliance
- Water rights, supply and quality
- Renewable energy
- Land use, permitting and zoning laws
- Government relations
- Litigation, mediation and arbitration
Additionally, we assist with municipal service reviews and conducting authority proceedings, as well as advise regarding spheres of influence; new district formation or incorporation and disincorporations; organization change requests including city and special district annexations, consolidations, detachment, dissolution and other reorganizations; joint powers agreements; and property tax exchange agreements.
Press Releases Apr 21, 2022
BB&K’s Alisha Winterswyk Named a Latino Leader Worth Watching
Profiles in Diversity Journal Recognizes Talents and Achievements of Latino Leaders
Press Releases Nov 24, 2021
Partner Paula de Sousa a San Diego Leaders in Law Finalist
San Diego Business Journal Recognizes Leading Special Districts Attorney
Press Releases May 20, 2021
Sonia Carvalho Named a Top Woman Lawyer 2021
Daily Journal Includes Municipal Law Partner on its Annual List
_t.png?ext=.png)
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
Press Releases Dec 19, 2018
Cities’ Struggles to Meet Obligations Are Real — BB&K Municipal Law Team Grows to Help
New and Expanded Services and More Attorneys and Staff Added in 2018
Legal Alerts Oct 23, 2018
Health Care Districts Facing New Requirements Under AB 2019
Impacts to Information Sharing, Grant Policies and More
Press Releases Oct 19, 2018
BB&K Receives CALAFCO Associate Member of the Year Award
Recognized for Contributions to the Agency and the LAFCOs it Serves
Press Releases May 01, 2018
BB&K Partner Paula de Sousa Mills a San Diego Best Attorney
San Diego Metro Magazine Annual List
Legal Alerts Jan 11, 2018
2018 California Public Agency Laws – Part III
Cannabis, LAFCO Law and a Round Up of Other New Laws Impacting Public Agencies
BB&K In the News Nov 27, 2017
Two Service Districts Form LAFCO
Plumas County News Reports on BB&K Partner Joshua Nelson’s Consolidation Advisement
Legal Alerts Jun 14, 2017
New Filing Deadline for JPAs Approaches
JPAs Providing Municipal Services Must File with LAFCOs by July 1
Legal Alerts Oct 13, 2016
SB 1266’s New Filing Requirements Apply Only to JPAs Providing Municipal Services
Failure to File may Preclude JPAs from Issuing Bonds or Incurring Indebtedness
Legal Alerts Dec 18, 2015
New California Laws Impacting Public Agencies
This comprehensive round-up includes new legislation that will impact cities, counties, special districts and schools.
Key Contacts
Related Services
- Business Licensing & Franchising
- California Public Records Act
- Code Enforcement & Receiverships
- Economic Development, Real Estate & Affordable Housing
- Election Law
- Environmental Law & Natural Resources
- Fees, Taxes & Assessments
- General & Special Counsel
- Government Affairs
- Government Policy & Public Integrity
- Municipal Law
- Police & Public Safety
- Public Agency Labor & Employment
- Public Agency Litigation
- Public Finance
- Public Infrastructure
- Public-Private Partnerships
- Renewable Energy
- Special Districts
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
- Water