Municipal Law

Best Best & Krieger is aware of the relationship between a city and the layers of federal, state and county government a city must interact with.

We have assisted many general law cities in the process of becoming charter cities. We are also familiar with the unique area of state and federal preemption. We frequently address California's "municipal affairs" doctrine in the course of drafting ordinances. Moreover, we frequently face issues of federal preemption in implementing our clients' desired local policy.

BB&K attorneys are also familiar with city internal agencies and departments. We frequently assist our city clients with redevelopment agencies, housing authorities, planning commissions, and utility agencies. Many of our attorneys serve as general counsel to our clients' redevelopment agencies. These attorneys are aware of the distinctive needs of these agencies under California's Redevelopment Law. They regularly negotiate development and disposition agreements, owner participation agreements and other related agreements needed to effectuate a sound redevelopment project. In addition, many of our attorneys serve as counsel to our municipal clients' internal boards and commissions, including design review boards and housing appeals boards. Moreover, we  provide training to internal boards and commissions on matters such as the Brown Act, CEQA, and planning and zoning Law. This helps ensure that our clients' policy decisions are protected from legal challenges.