In appellate courts, a special combination of skills, knowledge, and experience is required to direct a case to a successful conclusion. Our attorneys have represented government clients at every stage of state and federal appeals, including before the United States Supreme Court and the California Supreme Court. Our firm possesses the highly developed research skills and the superior writing abilities required for this critically important practice area.

We are vigorous appellate advocates. We provide strategic counseling and a fresh examination of the client’s litigation, and work collaboratively with trial counsel to ensure a smooth transition
from the trial court to the appellate court.

FIRST AMENDMENT & OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL CLAIMS

Our attorneys have successfully briefed and argued appeals involving First Amendment and other constitutional claims, disputes over the proper interpretation of state and local laws, administrative decisions, and the relative constitutional authority of the local, state and federal government. In addition, our attorneys are frequently retained to file amici curiae or “friends-of-the-court” briefs in appeals involving important local government issues.

PUBLIC OFFICIALS – WRITS OF MANDATE

Our attorneys are also highly experienced in representing public officials in writs of mandate—actions seeking to compel public officials to take a specified course of action. Our attorneys have successfully and consistently advanced the principle that local officials—not the courts—have the authority and discretion to make determinations on important matters of public policy.

Published Appellate Victories by RPLG Attorneys for Public Entities in the Last 10 Years

• Stone v. Alameda Health System (2024) 16 Cal.5th 1040—holding that public entities are not subject to the Private Attorneys General Act or other Labor Code obligations involving meal and rest periods, overtime, payroll records, and waiting time penalties
• Hittle v. City of Stockton(9th Cir. 2024) 101 F.4th 1000, denied (2025) 145 S.Ct. 759—holding that city did not discriminate on the basis of religion under Title VII when it terminated fire chief
• Petree v. Public Employees’ Retirement System (2024) 106 Cal.App.5th 585—holding that Riverside County was not liable for pension obligations attributable to sheriff deputies’ prior service for the City of Perris
• Prang v. Los Angeles County Assessment Appeals Board (2024) 15 Cal.5th 1152—affirming trial court and Second District Court of Appeal decisions that transfer of interests in a trust caused a change of ownership of trust’s real property
• FlightSafety International Inc. v. Los Angeles County Assessment Appeals Board (2023) 96 Cal.App.5th 712—affirming trial court’s rejection of taxpayer’s claim that appeals board failed to hold timely hearing decision
• Paramount Pictures. Corp v. County of Los Angeles(2023) 95 Cal.App.5th 1246—holding that County assessment appeals board’s valuation of Paramount Pictures studio lot was supported by adequate findings and vacating substantial attorney fee award against County for deficient findings
• Rose v. County of San Benito(2022) 77 Cal.App.5th 688—holding that San Benito County’s restructuring of retiree health insurance benefits did not impair vested rights
• Harris v. County of Orange(9th Cir. 2021) 17 F.4th 849—holding that Orange County’s restructuring of retiree health benefit program did not impair vested rights
• LA Live Properties LLC v. County of Los Angeles(2021) 61 Cal.App.5th 363—rejecting taxpayer’s argument that enrollment of $6.3 million assessment a few days early made assessment void
• Chinese Theatres LLC v. County of Los Angeles(2021) 59 Cal.App.5th 484—reversing substantial award of attorney’s fees although trial court remanded to appeals board for additional finding
• Prang v. Los Angeles County Assessment Appeals Board No. 2.(2020) 54 Cal.App.5th 1—affirming trial court’s rejection of taxpayer’s claim that assessment was untimely where taxpayer failed to comply with reporting requirements
• In re Mary C.(2020) 48 Cal.App.5th 793—affirming dependency court’s order finding children to be adoptable
• Jet Suite, Inc. v. County of Los Angeles(2017) 16 Cal.App.5th 10—affirming trial court holding that taxpayer failed to establish that any other state had acquired tax situs over its aircraft
• Fry v. City of Los Angeles (2016) 245 Cal.App.4th 539—holding that City of Los Angeles did not impair vested rights when it froze the subsidy contributed by the City to police and firefighter retirees’ insurance premiums