The RPLG Public Law Fellowship Program: Training future lawyers in local government law

By Amy Ackerman, partner, Renne Public Law Group LLP

California has 58 counties, 483 cities, over 3,000 special districts and over 1,800 joint powers agencies, which affect the daily lives of every resident. As the Supreme Court noted:

"Local governments make many of the most important decisions that affect Californians' everyday lives. They build and repair public streets, they define a neighborhood's character through planning and zoning, and they decide where to place public parks and where to allow restaurants, bars, and liquor stores to operate. They make decisions about public transit and decide where to site industries that cause pollution. They provide police services and determine the level and type of policing and other first responder services, they educate our children, they operate or regulate local utilities, and they have the power to levy taxes." (Pico Neighborhood Ass'n. v. City of Santa Monica (2023) 15 Cal.5th 292, 305.)

Every year, the California Legislature passes new laws regulating these local government agencies; these agencies sue and are sued; and these agencies pass local laws and regulations affecting all Californians. And each of these agencies requires skilled attorneys to advise and litigate in a vast array of subject areas, including federal and state constitutional law; land use and development; open government and ethics; employment, labor, construction and building; environmental law; torts; contracts; real estate and more.

Yet, except for criminal law, most law schools largely overlook local government and local government law practice. Most offer no more than one class exploring legal issues unique to local government. Many have only one class that combines state and local government law. There is little discussion in career offices or student clubs about the merit of practicing local government law.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor secured her first legal position in local government after no private law firm would hire her due to her gender. She explained:

"I first found employment as a deputy county attorney of San Mateo County, California. While I was brought to the position by something short of choice, I came to realize almost immediately what a wonderful path I had taken. I was having a better time at my job than were those of my peers who had opted for private practice. Life as a public servant was more interesting. The work was more challenging. The encouragement and guidance from good mentors was more genuine. And the opportunities to take initiative and to see real results were more frequent. Ultimately, these forays into the exciting area of public service led me to the privilege of serving as an assistant attorney general in my state, a state senator, a state judge and a United States Supreme Court Justice." (Justice Sandra Day O'Connor 2004 Commencement address to Stanford University.)

Students who are interested in careers with city and county law offices often must navigate this career path alone. This is particularly unfortunate because many students who want to further the public interest falsely believe they must choose between very low-paying jobs or typical private sector law practice. Representing local governments offers a path to pursue the public good while building a sustainable, rewarding career. That is why we describe our work as "Public Law in the Public Interest."

Recognizing the lack of opportunities for law students to learn about local government law, Renne Public Law Group created a Summer Public Law Fellowship program for law students. Now in its sixth year, the fellowship program is a two-week immersion that introduces law students to local government practice. The Public Law Fellowship introduces students to prominent figures in local government. Past speakers have included former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, Marin County Counsel Brian Washington, Phillip Fine, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and former Commissioner and Vice Chair for the Federal Election Commission Ann Ravel.

Eli Beckman, a Corte Madera councilmember who has spoken at the program in past years, has participated in wide-ranging discussions with fellows, addressing complex questions about local government and public policy, giving students a chance to engage directly with current leaders in the field.

Through interactive discussions, fellows explore complex legal and policy issues, including affordable housing and the unhoused, police reform, election integrity, public employment law, emergency powers and local responses to climate change. Louise Renne, firm founder, introduces the students to affirmative litigation in local government practice, highlighting her groundbreaking efforts in suing Big Tobacco as San Francisco's City Attorney.

Students also gain insight into the rewards of local government practice, including the opportunity to work alongside professionals dedicated to serving their communities, facing a wide variety of legal issues, and engaging in work that is both challenging and impactful on a daily basis.

Each fellow is paired with an experienced attorney as a mentor to complete a research project focused on a substantive issue in local government law. Fellows write a paper and present their findings, engaging deeply with topics such as the impact of limiting police use of pretextual stops to reduce racial profiling, wildfire mitigation policies in Los Angeles, the Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program, and the role of public health in addressing community segregation and disparities. The program emphasizes mutual learning, providing students with hands-on experience in local government law while exposing mentors and practitioners to new perspectives from the next generation of lawyers.

To learn more about the Fellowship program, contact SummerFellowships@publiclawgroup.com. Applications are accepted in the Fall.