On June 5, our 2023 class of Renne Public Law Group (RPLG) fellows completed their public law programming, which encompassed 10 days of engaging speaker sessions, research projects and valuable mentorship opportunities.
Beginning June 27, 2023, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) expands protections for pregnant employees and job applicants. The PWFA is a new federal law that requires private and public sector employers with at least 15 employees to provide “reasonable accommodations” to known limitations related to qualified employees’ and job applicants’ pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on business operations.
The California Supreme Court recently rejected the Court of Appeal’s broad reading of Government Code section 821.6, which shields public employees acting within the scope of their employment from liability for “instituting or prosecuting any judicial or administrative proceeding” even if the action is “malicious and without probable cause.” The purpose of the statute is to protect public officials from malicious prosecution actions, but the plain language is broad enough to cover other types of tortious conduct.
In San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors v. Monell (2023) 91 Cal.App.5th 1248, the Court of Appeal upheld a voter initiative setting an unprecedented one-term limit and significant salary reduction for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. While courts have generally upheld term limits, this case tests the outer bounds of such laws.
Renne Public Law Group (RPLG) welcomes Sam Wheeler as Senior Counsel. Before joining RPLG, Sam spent more than eight years serving as a career law clerk for Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, where he drafted orders and bench memoranda in a wide range of civil cases, as well as criminal proceedings. During Sam’s tenure, Judge Spero presided over more than 1,500 civil cases.
Renne Public Law Group (RPLG) welcomes Rubin E. Cruse Jr. as Of Counsel. Prior to joining RPLG, Rubin served over 24 years in the Shasta County Counsel’s Office, where he also served as the County Counsel for the Shasta County Board of Supervisors since 2010. His extensive first-hand experience navigating the various issues impacting California’s public sector makes him an excellent fit for RPLG’s team of attorneys.
In Michael G. v. Superior Court, the California Supreme Court (Kruger, J.) considered whether a juvenile court must automatically order the county to provide services beyond 18 months if it finds that the agency failed to provide reasonable services (here, between the 12- to 18-month extension period). The Court held that the parent is not entitled to an automatic extension of services.
RPLG is honored to be among those to receive the CLAY Award for their work in the Nationwide Opioid Litigation. Congratulations to our colleagues who worked so hard and successfully. It was a real team effort, including our own Steve Cikes and Ryan McGinley-Stempel.
Renne Public Policy Group (RPPG), a division of Renne Public Law Group (RPLG), welcomes Maira Durazo as its newest grant writing associate. Maira’s professional track record includes securing millions of dollars in grant funding, with a professional commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through her work in public service.
Renne Public Management Group (RPMG), a division of Renne Public Law Group (RPLG), welcomes Dr. Kelly Bowers as a consultant and strategic advisor. Prior to joining RPMG, Kelly spent over three decades working in TK-12 public education, 12 years of which were spent as the superintendent of schools for Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. Over the course of her career, she has accrued executive leadership experience; expertise in strategic planning, resource procurement and management; and systems building for equity and sustainability in both the public and nonprofit sectors. Her strategic advising and coaching services add a unique element to Renne Public Management Group’s consultant offerings.
