René Alejandro Ortega Joins Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger as New Partner
Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger is pleased to announce that René Alejandro Ortega has joined the firm as a new Partner. “We are so pleased to have René join us here at Shute, Mihaly,” said Richard S. Taylor, Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger’s managing partner. “With his expertise in municipal law, housing, land use, and litigation, […]
SMW Serves as General Counsel to Ladera Recreation District
In 2022, the firm began serving as General Counsel to the Ladera Recreation District. The Ladera Recreation District is a Community Services District in the unincorporated Ladera neighborhood of San Mateo County. The District has provided exceptional recreational services since its establishment in the 1950s.
Coastal Open Space Protected in Half Moon Bay
Catherine Engberg, a partner at SMW and City Attorney for Half Moon Bay, led a team of SMW lawyers to acquire nine vacant lots on a bluff overlooking the California coast for the City’s open space program.
SMW Attorney Presents at League of California Cities’ Annual City Attorneys’ Spring Conference in Carlsbad
Shute Mihaly & Weinberger partner Seph Petta moderated a panel discussion at the annual League of California Cities (CalCities) City Attorneys’ Spring Conference in Carlsbad, California. The presentation, titled “Staffing a Public Meeting: From War Stories to Your Story,” featured members of the League’s Attorney Development and Succession Committee, which is tasked with helping develop […]
SMW Serves as General Counsel to Highlands Recreation District
In 2022, the firm began serving as General Counsel to the Highlands Recreation District. The Highlands Recreation District is a Special District in the unincorporated Highlands neighborhood of San Mateo County. The District has provided exceptional recreational services since its establishment in the 1950s.
SMW Assists Multiple Public Agencies Implementing SB 1383, Organic Waste Reduction and Edible Food Mandates
In anticipation of a January 1, 2022 deadline, SMW attorneys assisted numerous public agencies adopting municipal ordinances to implement SB 1383. California’s groundbreaking law aims to reduce disposal of organic waste at landfills by 75 percent from 2014 levels by 2025. SMW assisted the Alameda County Waste Management Authority (Stope Waste), the Central Contra Costa […]
Firm Supports Half Moon Bay’s Successful Financing for Corporation Yard Project
In 2021, SMW attorneys assisted the City of Half Moon Bay with successfully securing more than $3 million in financing from California’s Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank). The lease-leaseback transaction allows the City to realize significant annual savings on lease costs. The financing allows the City to acquire land for its Corporation Yard, and […]
Firm Supports Cupertino’s Negotiation of New Franchise Agreement, Positioning City to Implement SB 1383’s Organic Waste Reduction Mandates
Firm attorneys assisted the City of Cupertino with negotiation of a new 10-year franchise agreement for recycling, organics, and solid waste collection and processing. The complex new agreement allows Cupertino to maintain high levels of service and low rates relative to surrounding cities, while positioning the City to implement the requirements of SB 1383 to […]
SMW Part of Team that Helps Cupertino Take Advantage of Near Historic Lows for Municipal Bond Rates
SMW worked closely with Cupertino staff, bond counsel, municipal advisor, and underwriters to issue about $22 million of Certificates of Participation, refunding previously issued certificates and taking advantage of near historical lows for municipal bond rates. The transaction resulted in average annual savings to Cupertino of nearly $500,000.
SMW Aids in the Acquisition of Land Planned for New Park
SMW attorneys supported the City of Cupertino in its acquisition of more than 7 acres of land planned for a park. Cupertino’s purchase of the property is a critical step in a more than 10-year effort to provide additional parks and recreation areas on the east side of the City.