MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLIC LAW SECTION CHAIR

By Christine N. Wood

Christine N. Wood is the director of PRA Services and e-Discovery Counsel for Best Best & Krieger LLP and the 2020-2021 Chair of the Public Law Section Executive Committee.

I hope this message finds you and your families in good health and spirits. I am sure you share my surprise that many of us are still sheltering in place. COVID-19 has proven to be formidable, but the Public Law Section continues to find creative ways to meet the changing needs of our members.

This fall, Mara W. Elliott, San Diego City Attorney, was named the 2020 Ronald M. George Public Lawyer of the Year (PLOY) by the Public Law Section, recognizing her as an exceptional attorney who has demonstrated a commitment to public service throughout her career. Elliott served as legal counsel to public schools, the transit district, and the County of San Diego before serving as a Chief Deputy City Attorney in San Diego. She has been the elected City Attorney since 2016. Not only is Elliot recognized as a national leader in preventing gun violence, a fierce champion for consumers and the environment, and a staunch protector of victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking, she is also the first woman, the first Latina, and the first mother elected to her position. The selection of Elliott as the twenty-third recipient of the PLOY award continues the tradition of selecting a public attorney who constantly goes above and beyond mere legal advice by safeguarding taxpayer dollars and protecting the rights and safety of Californians.