Pat has been representing local government agencies for more than 25 years as both general counsel and special counsel. He represents water districts, transportation districts, sanitary districts, cities, and joint powers agencies. In his role as general counsel, Pat attends and advises his clients at board, committee and executive staff meetings, drafts ordinances and resolutions, and handles a wide variety of legal issues pertaining to local government. Pat provides guidance on open meeting, transparency, and conflict of interest laws, as well as government ethics. Pat understands his clients' business and their goals and objectives so that he can provide sound and practical legal guidance.

In his role as counsel to water districts, Pat provides guidance on establishing and adopting rates, fees and charges, for example compliance with the requirements of Proposition 218, Proposition 26, and the Mitigation Fee Act. He provides counsel on issues relating to water recycling, water conservation, and groundwater management and protection, including the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. He assists in matters regarding water supply, such as water supply assessments and verifications, subdivision agreements and water service extensions, and inter-agency arrangements.

Pat assists clients through the government contracting process by negotiating and drafting many types of contracts. He is experienced with large public construction contracts and complex high technology agreements. He also handles contractual arrangements for the sale, transport, and use of water.

Pat counsels clients in connection with property-related transactions, including the sale and acquisition of property and the use of government and private property. He develops policies and procedures for the management of public property and assists with implementation.

Bar Admissions

• California

Education
J.D., cum laude, Santa Clara University School of Law (1992)
B.A., summa cum laude, San Francisco State University (1989)

Significant Accomplishments
Alameda County Water District. Serves as general counsel.

North Coast County Water District. Serves as general counsel.

Coastside County Water District. Serves as general counsel.

Professional Associations

• Association of California Water Agencies, Legal Affairs Committee
• Japanese Cultural Community Center of Northern California, Former Board Member
• Bar Association of San Francisco
• Asian American Bar Association

Professional Activities and Experience
Accolades

• Department of Political Science, San Francisco State University, Alumnus of the Year (May 2015)

"California Supreme Court Case Alert: Public Records on Private Accounts," co-author, Government Law Alert (March 2017)
"2015 SWRCB Emergency Regulations for Urban Water Conservation," In the Loop with the Hanson Bridgett Government Group Video Alert (April 2015)
"New Legislation That Will Impact Groundwater Management,"A few minutes with a Public Agency Attorney Video Alert (October 2014)
"Upcoming Election – What can a public agency do?" A few minutes with a Public Agency Attorney Video Alert (September 2014)
"New Emergency Regulation for Water Conservation – The Mandatory Actions by Suppliers," A few minutes with a Public Agency Attorney Video Alert (August 2014)
"Leasing Issues to Consider with Communications Companies," A few minutes with a Public Agency Attorney Video Alert (July 2014)
"Requirements of Proposition 218 for Retail Water Agencies," A few minutes with a Public Agency Attorney Video Alert (June 2014)
"Public Records Act: Use of Personal Smart Phones and Computers," A few minutes with a Public Agency Attorney Video Alert (May 2014)
"Brown Act Teleconference Requirements," A few minutes with a Public Agency Attorney Video Alert (April 2014)
"Procedural Requirements for Declaring Water Shortage Emergency and Adopting Water Use Restrictions," A few minutes with a Public Agency Attorney Video Alert (March 2014) 
"California Attorney General Provides Brown Act Guidance on Tours of Facilities," Public Agency Advisory (December 2011)
"Summary of California Appellate Cases," Association of California Water Agencies, Contributing Author of Summaries (2009-10 and 2010-11)
"SB 343 New Brown Act Requirement – Availability of Public Records Distributed Before Meetings," Public Agency Advisory (April 2008)
"Legislature Clarifies Proposition 218: Notice Requirements for Property-Related Fees and Charges," Public Agency Advisory (October 2007)
"Public Agencies Face New Restrictions in Contracting with Design Professionals," Infrastructure Law Blog (March 2007)
"Legislature Passes New Landscape Water Conservation Law," Infrastructure Law Blog (February 2007)
"Assembly Bill 1825 Training – Mandatory Sexual Harassment Training For Supervisors Employed By Public Agencies With Less Than 50 Employees," Public Agency Advisory (October 2005)

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