Renne Public Law Group (RPLG) is proud to announce the promotion of Jim Ross to partner, effective July 1, 2025. Jim brings to this new leadership role more than three decades of public sector legal experience, including 27 years in county counsel offices.
Jim’s connection to RPLG grew during the opioid litigation, where he worked closely with Founding Partner Louise Renne. Since formally joining the firm, Jim has helped to significantly expand RPLG’s representation of counties, helped to secure new clients and served as the interim county counsel for Mendocino County during its recruitment process.
Throughout his distinguished career, Jim served in county counsel offices in three counties, Ventura, Sonoma and most notably Shasta, where he rose through the ranks to become county counsel. He advised almost every department in the County including the clerk/registrar of Voters, Sheriff, Public Works Department, Health and Human Services Agency, Risk Management and the Planning and Building divisions. Jim also oversaw the County’s litigation.
“Having been in county counsel offices, I understand the litigation, transactional, and practical aspects of how decisions affect the entities’ operations and the impact on entities both short-term and long-term,” said Jim. “That perspective helps me deliver more valuable counsel to each one of our clients.”
The highlights of Jim’s career include helping lead California’s efforts to manage opioid settlement fund distribution, successfully resolving an Americans with Disabilities lawsuit involving an aging correctional facility and litigating several complex land use cases. In 2023, Jim was honored by the County Counsels’ Association of California with a Recognition Award for Outstanding Service to the Association.
Jim regularly speaks at conferences on a wide variety of topics including land use, elections, complex litigation, good governance, and ethics. Most recently, he has participated in presentations for the County Counsels’ Association of California, the California Special Districts Association, and Cal Cities.
“Jim’s promotion reflects our firm’s continued investment in top-tier public law talent,” said Founding Partner Jon Holtzman. “His deep understanding of county government operations has already strengthened our service to public agencies statewide.”
Jim’s current practice focuses on general municipal law, affirmative litigation, land use, public works and elections. He earned his J.D. from King Hall at the University of California at Davis and a Bachelor of Science from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. Jim also engaged in graduate studies at Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business.
“I’m honored to step into this leadership role,” Jim continued. “I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth and success of RPLG. Joining what is already an excellent partnership team means helping to continue the firm’s mission of serving public agencies with responsive and creative legal solutions and being able to contribute to finding new ways to provide even a greater level of service.”
RPLG practices throughout California, advising and advocating for public agencies, nonprofit entities, individuals and private entities in need of effective, responsive and creative legal solutions.