Lawyering in the Public Arena

On October 27, 2003, in a budget year too tight for many to attend high-priced training sessions, a room full of government and private attorneys listened to a variety of speakers dealing with public or governmental issues. The Administrative and Public Law sections of the County Bar assembled an all-star cast for a legal update for lawyers in those fields at one-tenth the cost charged by “commercial” training operations.

Heading up the morning was a panel, composed of Deputy Attorneys General Ted Prim and Will Brieger and California Newspaper Publishers Association Counsel Thomas Newton, discussing the Public Records Act. Paul Starkey, Chief Legal Counsel at the Commission on State Mandates, explained the inner workings of this mysterious but powerful entity. Jennifer Shaffer, Staff Counsel at the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, described how the board, formerly known as the Board of Control, has changed and evolved. Legislative Counsel Diane Boyer-Vine discussed the interplay between her office and the Legislature. The Honorable Gail Ohanesian gave tips on how to pursue a writ of mandate in Superior Court. Michael McNamer, Senior Staff Counsel at the Office of Administrative Law, detailed the regulatory process. Steve Churchwell of Livingston & Mattesich illustrated the cosmic link between public officials and their private lives for checking conflicts of interest. Curtis Leavitt of K & R Law Group described managed health care in California and how it has and continues to impact public policy.

The very busy morning wrapped up with lunch and a keynote speech by McGeorge Dean Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker on the attorney advocate in the public arena.

In addition to an armload of great handouts from our speakers and sponsors, many attendees won great prizes, including t-shirts and wine, donated by the County Bar, and a set of the new Civil Jury Instructions, donated by Lexis. Thanks to Lexis and SCBA! Thanks to our speakers for taking time out of their busy schedules and freely provide us with priceless information. Thanks also go out to Paul Starkey, Heather Cline Hoganson, Wendy Breckon, Kristy Schieldge, Jim Beaver, Judith Carlson, Dan Maruccia, Linda McRae, and Laurie Zian for making this star-studded event happen on a shoestring budget!