2025 Outstanding Achievement in Public Law (OAPL) Award Recipient: Ryan McGinley-Stempel

Ryan McGinley-Stempel is a partner and Head of Appellate Practice at Renne Public Law Group®, which was founded by former San Francisco City Attorney Louise Renne. Mr. McGinley-Stempel is certified by the California State Bar as an Appellate Specialist and previously clerked for the California Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.  He represents public agencies in litigation on a wide range of constitutional and statutory issues, including free speech, education law, employment law, public pensions and vested rights, taxation, voter initiatives, and land use.  He maintains an active appellate practice on behalf of public agencies, with cases currently pending in the California Supreme Court; the First, Second, and Sixth Appellate Districts of the California Court of Appeal; and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  He recently achieved a unanimous victory for a public hospital authority in the California Supreme Court holding that civil penalties under California’s Private Attorneys General Act do not apply to public entities.  See Stone v. Alameda Health System (2024) 16 Cal.5th 1040.

The Public Law Section of the California Lawyers Association is honored to select Ryan McGinley-Stempel as the 2025 recipient of the Outstanding Achievement in Public Law (OAPL) Award.  This prestigious award recognizes attorneys who have made significant contributions to the field of public law through exceptional legal work, integrity, and dedication to public service.  

This year’s honor recognizes Ryan’s landmark victory in the California Supreme Court in Stone v. Alameda Health System (2024) 16 Cal.5th 1040—a precedent-setting decision that will have a lasting impact on public agencies and the communities they serve throughout California.  In Stone, the California Supreme Court unanimously ruled that public entities are exempt from civil penalties under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).

Specifically, the Supreme Court acknowledged the “statewide importance” of the case, noting that potential PAGA penalties against public entities could be “quite large” and that “[a]ttorneys fees in these complex suits can be substantial.” By affirming that public agencies are not subject to PAGA penalties, the Court preserved public resources and upheld longstanding principles about the limits of Labor Code applicability to government employers.

Ryan’s leadership in Stone v. Alameda Health System exemplifies effective appellate advocacy in preserving public funds, clarifying statutory interpretation, and reinforcing the ability of local governments to fulfill their public mandates.  As Louse Renne, Renne Public Law Group’s founding partner, noted: “Ryan’s unanimous Supreme Court victory … carries significant benefits not only for public hospital authorities charged with providing medical care for the indigent, but also for all Californians who rely on the myriad and essential services provided by public agencies across the state.”

Throughout his career, Ryan has exemplified the highest standards of public law practice, advocating for local governments and public entities with insight, precision, and a strong sense of civic duty.  His contributions have not only shaped critical legal outcomes but have also strengthened the public institutions that serve our communities.  His work in Stone stands as a model of legal excellence in public law, demonstrating how thoughtful and strategic litigation can safeguard the public interest for generations to come.

Please join us in celebrating Ryan McGinley-Stempel as the 2025 recipient of the Outstanding Achievement in Public Law (OAPL) Award.