Kimberly E. Hood

Of Counsel

Kimberly E. Hood is is of counsel in the Municipal Law practice group of Best Best & Krieger LLP. Prior to joining the firm in 2010, she was an attorney with McDonough Holland & Allen in Sacramento.

Ms. Hood practices all aspects of public law, with the majority of her practice in the areas of public agency litigation, eminent domain and employment law. She has represented cities, counties and special districts throughout Northern California, as well as private clients who deal with public agencies, including landowners.

Ms. Hood routinely advises her clients regarding compliance with the Eminent Domain Law, Proposition 218, the Brown Act and the Public Records Act. She also litigates a variety of public agency issues related to these subjects, successfully defending against writ petitions alleging violations of the Brown Act, Public Records Act and CEQA, and representing public agencies in eminent domain actions.

In addition, Ms. Hood advises both public and private employers on day-to-day employment law matters, including dealing with problem employees, responding to grievances, and drafting employment/separation agreements and other employment policies. She advises public entity clients regarding various wage and hour, labor and benefit issues, including the FLSA, USERRA (military leave) and the Meyers-Milias Brown Act (MMBA). Ms. Hood has successfully resolved unfair labor practice charges filed against several public agency clients alleging violations of the MMBA. She has also successfully prosecuted employee disciplinary charges before personnel boards.

Ms. Hood co-authored "Sexting at Work: Private Messages May be Accessed by Public Employers" (McDonough Public Law Bulletin, June 2010) and “Is That Your Final Answer? Spielbauer Court Says Fifth Amendment is No Shield Against Insubordination” (McDonough Public Law Bulletin, February 2009).

Previously, Ms. Hood clerked for the Honorable Robert A. McQuaid, Jr., United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Nevada. She also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Frank C. Damrell, Jr., United States District Court judge for the Eastern District of California.

Education

• University of California, Davis, J.D. (2003)
• University of Colorado, Boulder, B.A., Phi Beta Kappa (1998)

Bar Admissions

• California (2003)

Court Admissions

• United States District Court, Eastern and Central Districts of California

Kimberly E. Hood

Of Counsel

• League of California Cities' Public Records Act Committee