Renne Public Law Group (RPLG) congratulates Steve Cikes on his promotion to partner as of January 1.
Steve, who joined the firm in 2019, previously worked with Founding Partners Louise Renne and Jon Holtzman—who he credits as having been his mentors throughout his career—at Renne Sloan Holtzman Sakai from 2005 to 2018.
At RPLG, he primarily represents and advises public agencies on labor, employment and government law matters. He also represents the firm’s clients in affirmative, public interest litigation. Steve’s extensive litigation experience includes handling cases before state and federal courts, administrative tribunals and arbitrators; he has successfully litigated cases involving claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.
“I’ve always been interested in the interplay between governments at the local, state and federal levels, particularly when there’s a conflict,” said Steve. “Working through those conflicts remains a challenging and interesting aspect of my career.”
During his time with RPLG, Steve has presented to the California Public Employers Labor Relations Association on topics including public employee pension rights and the interplay between public entities’ obligations under the FLSA and collective bargaining agreements. Along with Partner Ryan McGinley-Stempel, he presented to the County Counsels’ Association of California on the topic of “Public Pensions in California: No More Pension Spiking and Limitations of the California Rule.” With Founding Partner Jon Holtzman, he authored articles on declarations of fiscal emergency and the extent to which the State may use its spending powers to circumvent charter cities’ home rule powers for the California Public Law Journal, a quarterly publication of the Public Law Section of the State Bar of California.
“RPLG is known for not being afraid to take on novel, complicated cases to defend important government and public policy principles,” said Steve. “We’re the type of attorneys that go to the mat on important issues, coming together and getting the job done.”
Twice named a Rising Star by Northern California Super Lawyers and SanFrancisco magazine, Steve is among the RPLG attorneys who received the CLAY Award for their work in nationwide opioid litigation.
“Steve is an important force behind the firm’s incredible litigation success,” said Founding Partner Jon Holtzman. “You would be hard-pressed to find a case in which he hasn’t been involved. He is incredibly productive and, most importantly, he is a very humble and helpful person.”
Steve holds a B.A. from the University of San Francisco, a B.S. from San Francisco State University and a J.D. (with highest honors) from Golden Gate University School of Law. As a law student, he served as a judicial extern for United States District Court Judge William H. Alsup in the Northern District of California and as a law clerk for the United States Attorney’s Office, Criminal Division, in San Francisco.
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.