John E. Brown

Partner

John E. Brown is a partner of the law firm of Best Best & Krieger LLP. Mr. Brown is a public lawyer and has represented as general and special counsel a variety of California public agencies including cities, redevelopment agencies, special districts and school districts. He is the city attorney of Ontario, California, the town attorney of the Town of Apple Valley, California and Interim City Attorney of the City of La Habra Heights, California. He has served as the city attorney for cities throughout California since 1976.

Mr. Brown also acts as general counsel for a variety of other public agencies. He has served as general counsel to the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District for more than 30 years and also acts as general counsel to the Hi-Desert Water District. Mr. Brown is the general counsel of the March Joint Powers Authority and the March Inland Port Airport Authority, the local reuse authorities for the former March Air Force Base in Southern California. He joined the firm in 1975 and chaired the firm’s Municipal Law practice group from 1996 to 2008. He has also served on the firm’s Executive Committee and as its marketing partner.

Mr. Brown served as the acting city manager of Unalaska (“Dutch Harbor”), Alaska during the summer of 1972.

Mr. Brown graduated from Claremont McKenna College magna cum laude, holds a Master of Arts degree from Occidental College awarded as part of a Coro Foundation Fellowship in Public Affairs (Los Angeles), and received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall). His professional memberships include the Urban Land Institute and the American Planning Association. Mr. Brown currently serves on the Board of Trustees and as treasurer of the California Historical Society in San Francisco, California.

Education

• University of California, Berkeley, J.D. (1975)
• Occidental College, M.A.
• Claremont McKenna College, B.A., Magna Cum Laude

Bar Admissions

• California (1975)

Court Admissions

• California (1975)

Awards

• The Best Lawyers in America®, Municipal Law (2012-2017)
• Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Rated (since 1995)

Community Involvement

• City Attorney of Ontario, California
• Town Attorney of the Town of Apple Valley, California
• California Historical Society (Vice President)

Memberships

• Urban Land Institute
• American Planning Association
• California Historical Society, treasurer of the Board of Trustees

John E. Brown

Partner

• “Citizen Engagement: New Uses of Social Media and the Body Politic,” League of California Cities Annual Conference 2014
• “Crisis Mode – Practical Advice for Handling Board Disputes,” California Special Districts Association General Manager Leadership Summit, June 23, 2014