Renne Public Law Group (RPLG) is pleased to announce that Mike Slattery and Tom Kelch have joined the firm as Of Counsel. Their main practice area is the representation of counties in property tax disputes in the Superior Courts and Courts of Appeal. In the past year, their work has resulted in four published opinions in the 2nd District Court of Appeal. Their current work includes disputed assessments of the Microsoft Theatre, the hotels at the LA Live complex and the personal property at Paramount Studios.

While a San Francisco Deputy City Attorney, Mike represented the Assessor in disputed assessments of the Bank of America Building, One Market Plaza, the Giants baseball stadium, the Ferry Building, and the Mirant Potrero power plant property tax disputes. He also wrote local tax legislation for the City.

Mike and Tom also bring bankruptcy law expertise to RPLG. They represent an ad hoc committee of 17 California counties in the PG&E bankruptcy case.  They co-wrote a book, Real Property Issues in Bankruptcy, and have each published articles on bankruptcy law. Tom has represented debtors, creditors, creditors’ committees, and purchasers of property in bankruptcy and has represented creditors in cases like Enron and Mirant Energy.

Mike graduated from the Princeton University, magna cum laude and received his law degree from the University of Southern California. He was a member of the Southern California Law Review. Tom graduated from the University of Michigan where he received his bachelor’s degree and his law degree, magna cum laude. He also has an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in philosophy from U.C. Irvine. Tom’s professional background includes many years as a full-time law professor.

“We look forward to welcoming Tom and Mike to the team,” said Founding Partner Jon Holtzman. “Their expertise and wisdom will serve as a great resource to our clients as well as the firm.”

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.