Public Law Section Celebrates Tenth Anniversary
By Paul Starkey, Public Law Section Chair

Since its formation in 1993, the Public Law Section has provided an ongoing forum for discussion and study of procedural and substantive law issues relating to public or government law. It is this notion of being a discussion forum that has distinguished the section over the last decade.

Over the years, membership and interest in the section has grown. Now with some 140 members, the Public Law Section is composed of public agency attorneys and private practitioners. All members practice before government agencies or otherwise have an interest in public law issues.

To promote its goals of attorney education, information sharing, and discussion of government law issues, the Public Law Section sponsors a series of luncheon meetings throughout the year. Speakers for 2003 included: John Lamb, Senior Staff Counsel, Department of Consumer Affairs (Unfair Business Practices); Michael McNamer, Senior Counsel, Office of Administrative Law (Underground Regulations); Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Rockwell, labor attorney Gary Messing, and Anne Giese, Chief Counsel, California State Employees Association, SEIU (Expert Panel, Advocacy before the California Supreme Court); and Bill Kennedy, Deputy Executive Director, Legal Services of Northern California (Legal Aid in the 21st Century).

In addition, the Administrative Law Section and the Public Law Section jointly sponsored a well-attended half-day seminar in October 2003, featuring prominent practitioners. (See related article, this issue.)

Notable speakers in past years have included: Chief Justice Ronald George; Justice Janice Rogers Brown; Ninth Circuit Judge Connie Callahan; former Attorney General Dan Lungren; Daniel Kolkey, former legal advisor to Gov. Wilson; and, on at least two occasions, Dan Walters, political columnist and commentator. In addition to its continuing legal education focus, the Public Law Section acts as a platform from which its members can address both the Sacramento County Bar Association and the State Bar of California. A related purpose of the section is to evaluate public law issues when requested to do so by the County Bar. In the late 1990’s, the Public Law Section worked with the California State Bar to promote changes to allow greater opportunities for public attorneys to perform pro bono service.

At its November 2003 luncheon meeting, the Public Law Section celebrated it Tenth anniversary as an official section of the Sacramento County Bar Association and recognized the service and contributions of past officers, including: Geoff Graybill, Harriet Steiner, Larry Alamao, Marguerite Roth, Molly Arnold, Steve Brenneman, Roy Chastain, Jim Mesnier, Tara Rufo, Dan Maruccia, Rosemarie Benitez Ruggieri, and Jennifer Rockwell. Turning to 2004, new section officers are: Linda MacRae, chair, Katie Nitz, vice chair, Judith Carlson, secretary, and Eric Feller, Treasurer. Upcoming section announcements will be posted on the SCBA website.

A note from the section chair: Throughout its first 10 years, the Public Law Section has continued to fulfill its charter mission. Many thanks to all who have worked in the past to make this section a success. My special thanks to the current officers and members of the executive committee, especially Kristy Schieldge, Linda MacRae, Judith Carlson, and Dan Maruccia. My thanks also to Heather Cline Hoganson and the officers of the Administrative Law section for their cooperation and assistance in our joint projects. Finally, a special thanks to Carol Prosser and the SCBA staff for their help throughout the year.