With fifty years of experience, Mr. Ross has extensive knowledge of the wide-ranging field of local agency law and special districts law and advising on matters involving the Ralph M. Brown Open Meeting Act, contractual and real estate negotiations, employee relations, applications for reorganization before LAFCO, Elections Code compliance, responding to public records requests, municipal and special financing and taxation, Proposition 218 issues, and compliance with regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.
Mr. Ross served on the Commission of Local Governance for the 21st Century whose report “Growth Within Bounds” served as the basis for the enactment, and declared legislative history, of the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000, the statutory authority for LAFCOs. Mr. Ross served as member and chair of the Pasadena Planning Commission and was the Assembly Speaker’s representative to the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission from 1991-1995.
Mr. Ross also served on the Advisory Committee for the Senate Local Government Committee which led to the adoption of the Bergeson Fire Protection District Law of 1987.
Mr. Ross served as the City Attorney for the City of American Canyon from its incorporation in 1992 until June 2025 and he regularly advised and represented American Canyon in all aspects of Municipal Law. Mr. Ross has served as Special Counsel for several cities, including Burbank, Richmond, El Monte, El Cerrito, Gilroy, Soledad and the El Dorado Hills Water District.
Mr. Ross and the Firm, serves as District Counsel to approximately fifteen fire protection districts spanning northern and central California (see existing client list on below). Mr. Ross also serves as General Counsel to the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department a joint powers authority (JPA) providing fire services to the cities of San Mateo, Belmont, and Foster City. Mr. Ross has also provided legal services to the California Association of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA) and the League of California Cities.
Mr. Ross is a Director on the California Olympic Regional Training Center for Wrestling.