Ruben Duran

Partner

Ruben Duran represents exclusively public agencies as a partner in the Municipal Law and Public Policy and Ethics Compliance practice groups of Best Best & Krieger LLP. He provides both general counsel services and special counsel in the areas of New Markets Tax Credits, elections law, real estate, education law and complex conflicts of interest and open government issues.

He serves as the general counsel for the Oxnard Harbor District, which owns and operates the commercial Port of Hueneme. He previously served as city attorney of Desert Hot Springs (2006-2012) and general counsel of the Fontana Unified School District. His clients include cities, school districts, special districts and public health plans.

Ruben attended the University of California at San Diego and graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science. He received his law degree from U.C. Hastings College of the Law, where he was a two-time national moot court champion in the Hispanic National Bar Association’s moot court competition. Prior to attending law school, Ruben served a year as a Public Affairs Fellow in the prestigious Coro Fellowship Program.

In addition, Ruben is a frequent speaker on topics related to good governance, ethics, the Brown Act and conflicts of interest. He is a past president of the City Attorneys Association of Los Angeles County and a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.  Ruben serves as a volunteer trainer for the Institute for Local Government, providing AB 1234 and ethics training for cities throughout California, and has presented on the New Markets Tax Credits program at the American Association of Port Authorities  and the Association of Pacific Ports. Ruben is serving an appointment to the League of California Cities City Attorney Division's Public Records Act Committee.

Ruben is married with two teenage sons – both juniors – one at the University of Oregon and the other at Loyola High School. He enjoys reading, playing horseshoes and cooking.

Education

• UC Hastings College of Law, J.D.

Bar Admissions

• California

Speaking Engagements

• Successfully Navigating Through the Statement of Economic Interest, League of California Cities Annual Conference (2015)