Municipal Law

Under increasing pressure posed by state and federal government mandates and insufficient available funding, cities and public agencies must balance budgets, manage competing interests and serve their constituencies. Meeting all these needs requires a high level of regulatory and legal knowledge and experience, as well as public relations and political finesse. 

Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Municipal Law practice is regarded as a leader in the field, ranked “Tier One” by U.S. News-Best Lawyers in America. Our attorneys are consistently recognized on various top attorney rankings lists, including Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. The practice, established at the firm’s inception in 1891, currently represents close to 250 cities and counties.

Our highly skilled, diverse team of lawyers offers comprehensive, cost-effective counsel to cities, housing authorities, successor agencies and joint powers authorities. We help these clients successfully maneuver through legal complexities and governmental directives, enabling them to focus on providing superior service to their communities. 

Comprehensive, Cost-Effective Service 
BB&K Municipal Law attorneys advise on all matters involving city services, operations, administration and regulation. These include:

City Attorney Services

• Brown Act/open meetings law compliance
• Charters and Internal Organizations
• Comprehensive Code Enforcement
• Conflicts of interest
• Elections and redistricting issues
• Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
• Government Policy & Public Integrity
• Public Records Act 
• Records retention and destruction
• Subpoenas 

Public Finance

• Grant writing and funding assistance
• Fees, Taxes & Assessments
• Public-Private Partnerships

Government Relations

Labor & Employment, including Employee Benefits

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Public Contracts, Public Works, Utilities & Infrastructure

• Business Licensing & Franchising 
• Renewable Energy 
• Solid Waste Management
• Telecommunications
• Transportation 
• Water 

Public Safety

Planning, Development & Real Estate Issues

• Economic Development, Real Estate & Affordable Housing 
• Environmental Law
• Land Use, Planning & Zoning
• Real estate acquisition, transactions and construction issues
• Williamson Act

Advocacy & Litigation
Unlike other firms, which focus on either lobby and advocacy or city services guidance, BB&K has extensive experience assisting clients in both areas. Working closely with our government relations and litigation teams, we advocate for clients before legislative and regulatory bodies, and assert and defend their interests in courts at all levels. This integrated approach enables clients to rely on just one firm to meet all of their city services and advocacy needs. 

BB&K Webinar Nov 18, 2020

Comments, Likes and Emojis, Oh My! An Update on Evolving Social Media Law for Public Officials and Agencies

BB&K Free Webinar

BB&K Event Nov 09, 2020

AEP 2020 Virtual Conference

Association of Environmental Professionals

BB&K Webinar Nov 05, 2020

Be Aware of Hot Telecommunications Issues in 2020-2021

BB&K Free Webinar

BB&K Event Oct 29, 2020

MMASC Annual Virtual Conference

Municipal Management Association of Southern California

Authored Articles & Publications Oct 20, 2020

Public Officials' New Social Media Open Meeting Law

California's AB 992 Analyzed in PublicCEO by BB&K's HongDao Nguyen and Albert Maldonado

BB&K Webinar Oct 15, 2020

AB 1234 Ethics Training (Oct. 15, 2020)

BB&K Workshop via Webinar

BB&K Webinar Oct 08, 2020

Demonstrations and the Changing Face of Public Speech in the United States: A View from the End of Apartheid in South Africa

BB&K Free Webinar

Event Oct 07, 2020

LCC 2020 Annual Conference & Expo

League of California Cities

Press Releases Oct 01, 2020

BB&K Attorney Nowland Hong a 2020 Person of the Year

Metropolitan-News Enterprise Honors Litigator for Work on New Book “Lawyers of Los Angeles”

BB&K Webinar Sep 30, 2020

Disclosure Obligations of Issuers in Public Offerings

BB&K Free Webinar

Legal Alerts Sep 30, 2020

DOL Clarified the Federal Family First Coronavirus Response Act

New Rules and a Court Decision Followed the FFCRA’s Passage

Legal Alerts Sep 29, 2020

SB 1383 Expands Calif. Family Rights Act

New Law Takes Effect Jan. 1

Press Releases Sep 28, 2020

Partner John E. Brown Receives James H. Krieger Meritorious Service Award

Riverside County Bar Association Honors Long-Term Community Service

Legal Alerts Sep 24, 2020

Western Joshua Trees Receive Temporary Protection Under the California Endangered Species Act

Designation Impacts Local Ordinances and Developments Involving the Tree

Press Releases Sep 23, 2020

BB&K Partner Nancy Park is a Woman Worth Watching

Profiles in Diversity Journal Named the Business Practice Leader to its Annual List

Legal Alerts Sep 23, 2020

Two Courts Offer Election Guidance: Slow-Walking Ballots is Unconstitutional

Mail-In and Absentee Ballots Debated in COVID-19 Pandemic and Election Day Overlap

Client Successes Sep 22, 2020

Nevada Water Rights Victory

BB&K Attorney Rod Walston Successful in Public Trust Doctrine Dispute in Nevada Supreme Court

Press Releases Sep 22, 2020

Partner Gerry Lederer Received IMLA Outstanding Associate Member Award

Recognized for Going “Above and Beyond” in Achievements and Contributions to Organization

Legal Alerts Sep 21, 2020

AB 992: Open Meeting Laws and Social Media

New California Law Addresses Prohibition on Serial Meetings on Social Media

Event Sep 21, 2020

IMLA 2020 Annual Conference

International Municipal Lawyers Association

Legal Alerts Sep 17, 2020

An Extraordinary Smackdown of an Ordinary Sign Ordinance

Court Invalidates Common Sign Ordinance on First Amendment Grounds

Press Releases Sep 15, 2020

BB&K Receives High Ranks for Law Firm Diversity

Firm Leadership Renews Commitment to Supporting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Press Releases Sep 15, 2020

D.C. Litigator Lisa A. Bell Joins BB&K Labor & Employment Practice

Former Senior Counsel and Trial Attorney in the D.C. AG's Office

Press Releases Sep 11, 2020

BB&K Attorney Nicholaus Norvell Named a Top 40 Under 40 in San Diego

San Diego Daily Transcript Recognizes Young Professionals

Legal Alerts Sep 10, 2020

Critical Habitat Designation Regulation Change Proposed

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Proposes New Rule Regarding Exclusion of Lands from Critical Habitat for Federally Listed Species

Press Releases Sep 09, 2020

Rio Plaza Elementary Students Received Donated Backpacks Filled with Supplies

BB&K’s Annual Operation Backpack Help Students Learn at Home

BB&K Webinar Sep 08, 2020

Clearing the Haze: Demystifying Cannabis Code Enforcement

BB&K Free Webinar

Legal Alerts Sep 08, 2020

DWR Releases Draft Guidebook for 2020 Urban Water Management Plans

Stakeholders Have Until Sept. 21 to Review and Comment

Legal Alerts Sep 03, 2020

AB 3088: California Eviction Protections

The Tenant, Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020

Legal Alerts Sep 02, 2020

New Filing Requirements for CEQA Documents

Significant Changes begin Nov. 3

Legal Alerts Sep 01, 2020

California Supreme Court Clarifies Ministerial vs. Discretionary Actions Under CEQA for Well Construction Permits

Decision in Protecting Our Water and Environmental Resources v. County of Stanislaus Case

BB&K In the News Sep 01, 2020

BB&K Partner Appointed to the Bench

Kara Ueda Will Serve on the Sacramento Superior Court

Authored Articles & Publications Sep 01, 2020

City Officials Must Be Neutral & Unbiased

PublicCEO Article Examines California Precedent-Setting Bias Tainting Decision

Event Aug 31, 2020

NATOA Annual Conference

National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors

Event Aug 27, 2020

WRCOG Webinar: Navigating Virtual Governance and the Brown Act in a COVID-19 Climate

Western Riverside Council of Governments

Press Releases Aug 20, 2020

36 BB&K Attorneys Recognized on The Best Lawyers in America List for 2021

Three Named “Lawyers of the Year” and One Included on “Ones to Watch” List

Legal Alerts Aug 17, 2020

5G Infrastructure Decision Mixed for Local Governments

Ninth Circuit Takes on FCC Small Cell Orders

BB&K In the News Aug 14, 2020

Two BB&K Attorneys Teach Law Students in Ukraine

San Diego Lawyer Features Scott Smith’s and Elizabeth Hull’s Journey to Bring Western-Style Law Principals to Ukraine

Legal Alerts Aug 13, 2020

Challenge to Prop 15: Courts Don’t Mess with Initiatives (or AGs Who Summarize Them)

Swift Decision Rejects Ballot Language Opposition

Press Releases Aug 11, 2020

BB&K Attorneys Named to 2020 Top Lawyers in Sacramento List

Sacramento Magazine Annual List Based on Peer Votes

Authored Articles & Publications Aug 10, 2020

COVID-19 and Face Masks: Local Enforcement Tools

In PublicCEO, BB&K's Lauren Langer and Kathy Shin Discuss Ways California Cities Are Enforcing Face Covering Requirements

BB&K In the News Aug 06, 2020

BB&K Returns to Ontario as City Attorney

Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Reports on Unanimous Vote by City Council

Legal Alerts Aug 06, 2020

Local Utility Charges Cannot Be Challenged by Referendum

Calif. Supreme Court Decision in Wilde v. City of Dunsmuir

Authored Articles & Publications Aug 05, 2020

Postponing a Presidential Election and the Law

BB&K's Henry Castillo Writes About the Legal Authority for Election Postponement in PublicCEO

Press Releases Jul 31, 2020

San Diego Business Journal Top Law Firm 2020

BB&K Remains in the Top 25 of the Annual Ranking

Authored Articles & Publications Jul 27, 2020

The CCPA's Impact on Public Agencies

BB&K's Gregg Kettles Writes About the California Consumer Privacy Act in PublicCEO

Legal Alerts Jul 21, 2020

Project Roomkey Applications for COVID-19 Homeless Housing Available Soon

California Providing $100 Million to Local Governments

Press Releases Jul 16, 2020

BB&K Supports the League of California Cities City Attorneys’ Department Committees

Nine BB&K Attorneys Serving on LCC City Attorney Committees

BB&K Webinar Jul 15, 2020

AB 1234 Ethics Training (July 15, 2020)

BB&K Webinar

Press Releases Jul 10, 2020

Northern California Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2020

BB&K Attorneys Honored by Legal Industry

Legal Alerts Jul 08, 2020

Coronavirus Relief Fund Deadlines for California Cities and Counties

Certification Form Must be Submitted by July 10; Expenditure Report by Sept. 1

Legal Alerts Jul 07, 2020

A Toll Increase for Toll Bridge is Not a Tax Increase

California Appellate Court Says Toll is a Fee to Use Government Property, Exempt from Tax Definition

Authored Articles & Publications Jul 06, 2020

COVID-19 Orders: Government Takings?

In Law360, BB&K's Gene Tanaka and Emily Chaidez Evaluate if COVID-19 Orders are Temporary Takings

Legal Alerts Jul 06, 2020

How to Track and Report Recyclables Landfilled Due to COVID-19

CalRecycle Issues Guidance to Local Agencies

Legal Alerts Jun 30, 2020

Coronavirus Relief Fund Dollars for California Municipalities and Counties

Certification Form Must be Submitted by July 10

Legal Alerts Jun 24, 2020

Coronavirus Relief Funds Can Be Used for FEMA Public Assistance Cost Share

Public Agencies Should Be Aware of Requirements

Legal Alerts Jun 22, 2020

FCC Adopts Rules that Could Impact Concealment of Wireless Infrastructure

How Communities Can Respond

Authored Articles & Publications Jun 18, 2020

Enforcing Local Health and Safety Laws

BB&K's Denise Grimes and Brandon Sanchez Discuss Code Enforcement Remedies in PublicCEO

Authored Articles & Publications Jun 16, 2020

California Ahead of #8CANTWAIT Police Reforms

BB&K's Gary Schons Discusses Controversial Use-of-Force Campaign in PublicCEO

BB&K Webinar Jun 11, 2020

Reopening During the Coronavirus Pandemic: How to Serve the Public and Avoid Liability

Free Webinar

Press Releases Jun 11, 2020

Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars 2020 Includes Two BB&K Attorneys

Partner Megan Garibaldi and Associate Ryan Guiboa Return to Prestigious List

Authored Articles & Publications Jun 10, 2020

E-Discovery and Public Records Lessons from California Supreme Court

BB&K's Annie Loo Provides Analysis in Association of E-Discovery Certified Specialists Blog

Legal Alerts Jun 09, 2020

Post-Redevelopment Distribution of Tax Increments Clarified

California Appellate Court Provides Guidance

Legal Alerts Jun 08, 2020

Law Enforcement Can’t Use an Administrative Search Warrant in Ongoing Criminal Investigation

Ninth Circuit Affirms Motion to Suppress Evidence Seized by Deputies Assisting Code Enforcement Officers

Authored Articles & Publications Jun 03, 2020

Investigatory Privilege and California Public Records Act Requests

It's the Information, Not the Record, that Must be Considered, Say BB&K's Christine Wood and Isaac Rosen in PublicCEO

Legal Alerts Jun 01, 2020

$6 Million Fine for Trustee Who Knowingly Allowed Illegal Cannabis Dispensaries on Property Owned by Trust

California Appellate Court Says Trustee Can be Held Personally Liable

Legal Alerts May 29, 2020

California Supreme Court: Government Cannot Charge Fee to Redact Police Body Camera Footage

California Public Records Act Provision Permitting Public Agencies to Charge for “Extraction” Analyzed

BB&K Webinar May 21, 2020

AB 1234 Ethics Training (May 21, 2020)

BB&K Webinar

Authored Articles & Publications May 21, 2020

Face Masks, Temperature Screenings and Privacy Rights: Re-Opening Public Agencies During COVID-19

Part 2 in a PublicCEO Series

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

BB&K Webinar May 19, 2020

The Code Enforcement Toolbox: Keeping Cities Safe & Habitable

BB&K Free Webinar

Authored Articles & Publications May 13, 2020

The Clash Between Emergency Powers and Individual Rights During COVID-19 Pandemic

Part 1 in a PublicCEO Series

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 May 04, 2020

Cities Have Broad Discretion to Determine Their Rent Control Programs

Court of Appeal Holds Cities May Enact Various Forms of Residential Rent Control Measures

Press Releases May 04, 2020

Two BB&K Attorneys Among JD Supra Top Authors List

Housing Webinar by Partners Ruben Duran and Michael Maurer Among Most Popular Posts

Event May 01, 2020

COVID-19 & Rental Agreements

Best Lawyers Webinar

Legal Alerts Apr 29, 2020

COVID-19 Safety Orders v. the First Amendment

A California Federal Court Weighs-In on Religious Group’s Challenge

Legal Alerts Apr 23, 2020

Fourth COVID-19 Federal Relief Package

Paycheck Protection Program, Small Business Administration Disaster Loans and Health Care Funding

Legal Alerts Apr 22, 2020

City Can’t Immediately Seize and Destroy “Bulky” Items Belonging to the Homeless Without a Warrant or Notice

Los Angeles Blocked From Enforcing Ordinance Allowing for the Immediate Seizure and Destruction of Large Personal Property Stored in Public

Event Apr 22, 2020

IMLA’s 2020 Mid-Year Seminar

International Municipal Lawyers Association

Legal Alerts Apr 16, 2020

When is a Franchise Fee a Tax?

Franchise Fees Charged to Waste Hauler are Not a Tax if Reasonably Related to the Value of the Franchise

Legal Alerts Apr 08, 2020

Local Government Has an Important Interest in Adjudicating Zoning Disputes

Ninth Circuit Dismisses Case Brought Against Alameda County for Zoning Requirements

Event Apr 01, 2020

Keeping Local Government Open Through Social Distancing

Institute for Local Government

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 27, 2020

Third Federal Funding Bill Provides $2.2 Trillion for COVID-19 Impacts

The Legislation’s Key Provisions for Public Agencies and Local Governments

Legal Alerts Mar 26, 2020

Takings Claim Fails on “Ripeness” Grounds

Ninth Circuit Decision in Apartment-Condominium Conversion Program Dispute

Legal Alerts Mar 17, 2020

COVID-19 Legal Updates

The Latest on the Novel Coronavirus’ Impact on Businesses and Public Agencies

Legal Alerts Mar 12, 2020

COVID-19: Local Authority in a Public Health Crisis

One Short-Lived Case Raises Questions About the Limitations on Cities' Ability to Respond to State and Federal Action in the Face of an Outbreak

BB&K Webinar Feb 18, 2020

The Firefighter Bill of Rights: A Presentation for Directors, Chiefs and Supervisors

BB&K Free Webinar

Authored Articles & Publications Feb 13, 2020

PublicCEO: BB&K Municipal Law Team Discusses New Public Agency Laws - Part 2

Land Use, Telecommunications, Environmental and More

Authored Articles & Publications Feb 12, 2020

PublicCEO: BB&K Municipal Law Team Discusses New Public Agency Laws - Part 1

Elections, Public Safety, Surplus Funds and More

Press Releases Feb 06, 2020

BB&K Sacramento Office Earns High Ranking

Sacramento Business Journal’s Annual Law Firm Survey

Event Feb 05, 2020

2020 LCC City Manager's Conference

League of California Cities

Legal Alerts Feb 04, 2020

Organic Waste Regulation Cost Impacts

CalRecycle Study Makes Recommendations to Local Agencies

Event Jan 28, 2020

2020 CSMFO Annual Conference

California Society of Municipal Finance Officers

Press Releases Jan 17, 2020

Southern California Super Lawyers 2020

Nine BB&K Attorneys Earn Recognition

Legal Alerts Jan 13, 2020

New Environmental and Telecommunications Laws

Part 3: California Laws Impacting Public Agencies for 2020

Legal Alerts Jan 08, 2020

New Housing & Land Use, Local Government and Public Contracting Laws

Part 2: California Laws Impacting Public Agencies for 2020