Kendall Lowery | Renne Public Management Group

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Expands Protections

Beginning June 27, 2023, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) expands protections for pregnant employees and job applicants. The PWFA is a new federal law that requires private and public sector employers with at least 15 employees to provide “reasonable accommodations” to known limitations related to qualified employees’ and job applicants’ pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the employer can demonstrate that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on business operations.

Kendall Lowery2023-08-22T18:41:34-07:00July 7th, 2023|

California Supreme Court Limits Governmental Immunity Statute That California Courts of Appeal Had Read More Broadly

The California Supreme Court recently rejected the Court of Appeal’s broad reading of Government Code section 821.6, which shields public employees acting within the scope of their employment from liability for “instituting or prosecuting any judicial or administrative proceeding” even if the action is “malicious and without probable cause.” The purpose of the statute is to protect public officials from malicious prosecution actions, but the plain language is broad enough to cover other types of tortious conduct.

Kendall Lowery2023-08-22T18:41:30-07:00July 5th, 2023|

Court of Appeal Upholds One-Term Limit and Salary Cap for County Supervisors

In San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors v. Monell (2023) 91 Cal.App.5th 1248, the Court of Appeal upheld a voter initiative setting an unprecedented one-term limit and significant salary reduction for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. While courts have generally upheld term limits, this case tests the outer bounds of such laws.

Kendall Lowery2023-08-22T18:41:15-07:00June 23rd, 2023|

Renne Public Law Group Welcomes Sam Wheeler

Renne Public Law Group (RPLG) welcomes Sam Wheeler as Senior Counsel. Before joining RPLG, Sam spent more than eight years serving as a career law clerk for Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, where he drafted orders and bench memoranda in a wide range of civil cases, as well as criminal proceedings. During Sam’s tenure, Judge Spero presided over more than 1,500 civil cases.

Kendall Lowery2023-07-05T14:22:54-07:00June 7th, 2023|

Renne Public Law Group Welcomes Rubin E. Cruse, Jr.

Renne Public Law Group (RPLG) welcomes Rubin E. Cruse Jr. as Of Counsel. Prior to joining RPLG, Rubin served over 24 years in the Shasta County Counsel’s Office, where he also served as the County Counsel for the Shasta County Board of Supervisors since 2010. His extensive first-hand experience navigating the various issues impacting California’s public sector makes him an excellent fit for RPLG’s team of attorneys.

Kendall Lowery2023-05-24T09:43:04-07:00May 5th, 2023|

Supreme Court Holds Parents Deprived Of Reunification Services Not Entitled to Automatic Relief

In Michael G. v. Superior Court, the California Supreme Court (Kruger, J.) considered whether a juvenile court must automatically order the county to provide services beyond 18 months if it finds that the agency failed to provide reasonable services (here, between the 12- to 18-month extension period). The Court held that the parent is not entitled to an automatic extension of services.

Kendall Lowery2023-08-22T18:25:08-07:00April 19th, 2023|

RPMG Welcomes Former Livermore Valley Superintendent of Schools Kelly Bowers

Renne Public Management Group (RPMG), a division of Renne Public Law Group (RPLG), welcomes Dr. Kelly Bowers as a consultant and strategic advisor. Prior to joining RPMG, Kelly spent over three decades working in TK-12 public education, 12 years of which were spent as the superintendent of schools for Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District. Over the course of her career, she has accrued executive leadership experience; expertise in strategic planning, resource procurement and management; and systems building for equity and sustainability in both the public and nonprofit sectors. Her strategic advising and coaching services add a unique element to Renne Public Management Group’s consultant offerings.

Kendall Lowery2023-03-31T16:22:29-07:00March 31st, 2023|

RPMG Welcomes Former Director of Human Resources Donna Vaillancourt

Renne Public Management Group (RPMG), a division of Renne Public Law Group (RPLG), welcomes Donna Vaillancourt as a consultant. Prior to joining RPMG, Donna spent nearly four decades working for San Mateo County, serving in various leadership roles, including as director of the County’s department of human resources. Her extensive experience in leadership development and organizational management makes her an exciting addition to RPMG’s growing team.

Kendall Lowery2023-03-31T16:22:52-07:00March 20th, 2023|

Renne Public Management Group Welcomes Former City Manager Eric Figueroa

Renne Public Management Group (RPMG), a division of Renne Public Law Group (RPLG), is pleased to announce that Eric Figueroa has joined as a consultant. A seasoned local government leader with over 20 years of operational experience, Eric contributes not only proficiencies in leadership, finance, operations and analysis to RPMG’s public sector consulting practice areas, but also an authentic passion for local government.

Kendall Lowery2023-03-31T16:23:22-07:00March 20th, 2023|

Court of Appeal Revisits Limits on Voter Initiatives

Voter initiatives permit voters to adopt a change in the law at the ballot box. In a recent decision in City of Oxnard v. Starr (2d Civ. No. B314601), the Court of Appeal set forth some limits on the initiative power.

Kendall Lowery2023-08-22T18:22:04-07:00February 3rd, 2023|

About Kendall Lowery