Who We Are

Serving Cities, Special Districts and Local Agencies Across California

Ross & Schwarz (formerly Law Offices of William D. Ross) is a full-service law firm with extensive experience in representing local governments, developers, and private and commercial land owners. The Firm’s broad range of services include representing clients in matters ranging from land use, regulatory compliance, environmental review, local government administration, real estate development, and applications to the Local Agency Formation Commission.

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Why Ross & Schwarz

Our Unique Approach

“an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Our legal expertise is unique because we routinely advocate matters that span both the public and private sectors, allowing our team to draw upon a vast knowledge base to serve the needs of our clients. The firm’s principal attorney, William D. Ross, has over fifty years of experience in representing local governmental agencies and property owners.

Effective & Experienced Lawyers

We pride ourselves on our collaborative and long-lasting relationships.

Call: 650-843-8080

Equipped with Experience

Our Areas of Focus

Municipal Law

Ross & Schwarz is a niche boutique law firm dedicated to serving municipal clients across California. Our attorneys provide highly experienced, client-focused legal counsel and representation tailored to the unique needs of cities, special districts, and joint powers authorities.

Special District Law

Special districts provide Californians with essential services, and each faces unique challenges based on its purpose, population served, and operational circumstances. Ross & Schwarz is a boutique law firm specializing in representing these agencies, offering the guidance special districts need to navigate regulatory, fiscal, and operational complexities.

Budget and Financing

As a boutique municipal law firm, Ross & Schwarz assists California Cities, Special Districts, and Joint Powers Authorities in addressing complex revenue and financing issues, including Proposition 218 compliance.

Land Use, CEQA & LAFCO

The team at Ross & Schwarz represents municipal agencies in navigating the legal frameworks that shape land use, environmental compliance, and local agency formation, consolidation, annexation, or detachment.

Labor and Employment

Since 1984, our firm has served as trusted counsel to California public agencies on a wide spectrum of municipal law issues, including labor and employment. Our attorneys routinely provide representation in employee compensation and CalPERs matters and defend against employee lawsuits.

Contracts and Public Bidding

Ross & Schwarz serves public agencies throughout California, offering comprehensive legal support in contract preparation, negotiation, and compliance. Municipal agencies frequently require contracts for a wide range of services—from purchasing goods to securing specialized municipal services.

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