Public Law

On February 28, 2025, in Santa Ana Police Officers Association, et al, v. City of Santa Ana, the California Court of Appeal’s Fourth District ruled on a challenge by the Santa Ana Police Officers Association (“SAPOA”) and several of its officers who filed anonymously. The Court was asked to review the Superior Court’s dismissal of a lawsuit brought by the SAPOA and the officers alleging that the Santa Ana Police Department Read more

The First Annual Public Law Conference is slated for March 19-20, 2025 in San Diego. Read more

For most of American history it was conservatives who championed states’ rights, but now it is the Trump administration that is trying to trample the authority of state and local governments in clear violation of the Constitution.  Just a day after the inauguration, Read more

Earlier this year, our annual Public Law Section (PLS) member survey overwhelmingly revealed that members want more Section communications in electronic form versus paper.  In response, the PLS Executive Committee is moving select versions of the Public Law Journal to an electronic format.  Read more

The Public Law 101 Conference is a two-day introductory program designed for early-career attorneys, law clerks, and legal professionals interested in the field of public agency law. Read more

On Wednesday, February 26, the University of San Diego (USD) School of Law’s Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD) hosted a Careers in Public Law panel, offering students valuable insights into the dynamic field of public law. The event featured legal professionals who shared their experiences and provided career guidance for students interested in serving the public sector. Read more

The Southern California wildfires in January, 2025 have (as of this writing on January 17, 2025) destroyed or damaged many hundreds of cell sites, primarily in the public rights of way, as well as  “distributed antenna system” (DAS) wireless sies.  Read more

Hear from a former writs and receiver judge and three experienced land use and municipal lawyers on best practices and tips for California administrative writs and mandamus practice.  This 101 Class will cover topics including administrative record, pleadings, defenses, dispositive motions, settlement, trial and post-trial practice. Read more

The California School Boards Association's (CSBA) Education Legal Alliance (ELA) and Fagen Friedman & Fulfrost LLP (F3 Law) team filed an amicus curiae brief with the Supreme Court of the United States in O’Connor-Ratcliff v. Garnier [601 U.S. 205 (2024)]. The team advocated for clarity around when government officials can and cannot block unwelcome content on their social media pages. Until this point, there was confusion around whether a public official engaged in state action subject to the First Amendment… Read more

Howard Wayne was first in his family to attend college, entering San Diego State at 15. After graduating Cum laude from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1972, Howard clerked for the California Court of Appeal. He then joined the California Attorney General’s Office for a total of forty-two years as a Deputy. Howard believed the Attorney General’s office was the best place in California to practice pure law in the name of public good.  Howard was… Read more