RPLG Congratulates New Senior Associates Ian Long and Ryan McGinley-Stempel
Renne Public Law Group (RPLG) announces the promotion of Ian Long and Ryan McGinley-Stempel to Senior Associate, effective July 1.
“These well-deserved promotions reflect Ian’s and Ryan’s exceptional legal skills,” says Founding Partner Teresa Stricker. “Both have been terrific additions to the firm.”
Mr. Long, along with RPLG Of Counsel Geoff Spellberg, recently secured a complete defense verdict for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland in a three-week trial on hostile work environment claims. Mr. Long also partnered with RPLG Partner Jon Holtzman to present a session on the topic of vested rights at the County Counsels’ Association of California Spring Employment Law Conference.
“It’s a really amazing feeling to be able to practice law at the highest level and on the cutting edge,” said Mr. Long, who has supported public entities including Bay Area Rapid Transit and the Santa Clara Valley Water District since joining RPLG in February. “At the same time, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I’m representing the public good. I think that’s a combination you can only get at RPLG.”
“Ian has embraced RPLG’s culture of collaboration,” stated Founding Partner Arthur Hartinger. “He leverages the expertise of everyone within the firm to get the best results for his clients.”
An avid surfer, Mr. Long celebrated his promotion with a week-long trip to Salina Cruz, on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, Mexico.
“I got to unplug for a little bit and the swell was great,” he said.
Ryan McGinley-Stempel, who joined RPLG’s litigation and government practices in April 2018, attributes his professional advancement to the opportunities the firm afforded him as an associate to manage cases, argue motions, take and defend depositions and work on a wide variety of cutting-edge issues for public agencies.
“It is a real credit to this firm that the partners hire people that they believe in, give those people a lot of responsibility and have faith in them to perform admirably for our clients,” he said.
Mr. McGinley-Stempel played a pivotal role in the creation of the both the Central Marin Fire Authority and the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department—Joint Powers Authorities (JPA) that provide shared fire-related services including emergency response operations and emergency preparedness services for the towns of Corte Madera and Larkspur (Central Marin) and the cities of Belmont, Foster City and San Mateo (San Mateo Consolidated). After CalPERS refused to allow these JPAs to participate in its defined benefit plan based on proposed Internal Revenue Service rules regarding governmental plans, Mr. McGinley-Stempel represented San Mateo Consolidated in its administrative appeal before the CalPERS Board and argued in favor of both JPAs at a critical meeting in Sacramento between key stakeholders from the JPAs, fire unions and CalPERS Executive Staff.
When San Mateo Consolidated held its grand opening, Mr. McGinley-Stempel enthusiastically represented the firm.
“Seeing the uniformed members of the JPA and the fire engines at the ceremony was really meaningful,” said Mr. McGinley-Stempel. It was deeply satisfying to know that our hard work had made this possible.”
“Ryan is inspired by and committed to serving public agencies,” said Ms. Stricker. “His work has made a dramatic difference to local governments statewide. We’re thrilled to have him as a member of our team.”
Mr. McGinley-Stempel and Ms. Stricker, with whom he has co-authored articles on state minimum wage requirements and parking enforcement practices, will present at the CALPELRA Annual Training Conference in Monterey in November on the topic of crafting a defensible drug testing policy.
“Teresa and I are speaking about how public agencies calibrate the balance between ensuring a safe and effective workplace and complying with state and federal law, particularly in the wake of the state’s legalization of recreational cannabis,” said Mr. McGinley-Stempel.
RPLG practices throughout California, advising and advocating for public agencies, nonprofit entities, individuals and private entities in need of effective, responsive and creative legal solutions.