Mr. Harrison is the Managing Partner at Rutan & Tucker, a partner in the Public Law Section, and founding partner of its Education Law Practice Group. Ski specializes in the representation of public school and community college districts, as well as personnel matters for public agencies. He represents school districts throughout California in both litigation and transactional matters, and has a particular expertise in litigating and negotiating agreements related to the impacts of new residential development upon school facilities.
Mr. Harrison has a great deal of experience in personnel matters for public agencies, including collective bargaining and representing the employer in employee discipline and appeal hearings and in litigation. He has successfully defended or settled employment matters involving allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination, and violations of due process. Ski is also knowledgeable about ADA, FSLA, and FMLA matters and has developed numerous policies in these areas.
Mr. Harrison also advises public agencies in California on compliance with the Brown Act, and conflict of interest issues. Mr. Harrison is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
LEGAL AND LITIGATION EXPERIENCE
· General or special counsel services to several school districts including Saddleback Valley Unified, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified, Murrieta Valley Unified, Merced Union High, Tracy Unified, Solana Beach Elementary, Huntington Beach Union High, Laguna Beach Unified, Fullerton Elementary, Menifee Union, Saugus Elementary, Brea Olinda Unified, Pomona Unified, Adelanto Elementary, Victor Elementary, Sulphur Springs Elementary and Capistrano Unified.
· Formation of over 50 community facilities districts (CFDs) for school districts to fund new or expanded school facilities, including validation actions and bond sales resulting in over $300 million in funds for school facilities.
· Advise school districts and other public agencies on conflict of interest questions involving elected officials and employees.
· Represent public agencies in employee discipline matters. Successfully defended several administrative appeals of employee terminations. Also served as legal counsel to various hearing officers on over 50 employee discipline appeals, and have served as the hearing officer.
· Represent public agencies in employer-employee bargaining negotiations, including at-the-table and behind-the-scenes representation. Additionally, represent public agencies in impasse and arbitration proceedings related to the collective bargaining process, including hearings before mediators and arbitrators.
· Represent school districts in negotiations with builders/developers re adequate school facilities. Negotiated over 100 Impact Mitigation Agreements providing funds for school facilities.
· Represent school districts in pupil discipline matters, including expulsions and appeals to the County Board of Education.
· General personnel services for other public agencies, including cities, redevelopment agencies, fire districts and water districts.
· Represent school districts in litigation against developers and other public agencies re mitigating the impact of new development upon district facilities, including the filing of over 20 individual lawsuits.
· Advise public agencies regarding compliance with the Brown Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
· Assist public agencies in the development and amendment of personnel policies, employment applications, and employment contracts.
LITIGATION EXPERIENCE (PARTIAL LISTING)
· Published Appellate Court Decision: Murrieta Valley Unified School District v. County of Riverside (1991) 228 Cal.App.3d 1212 (established that school districts can challenge the impact of new development upon school facilities under CEQA)
· Miracosta Estates v. Moreno Valley Unified School District, Riverside County Case 20-26-20 (successfully defended claim for $700,000 against district, and awarded over $50,000 in attorney's fees)
· Merced Union High School District v. Kerman St. Bank, Merced County Superior Court Case 108159, and Merced Union High School District v. Western Empire, Merced County Superior Court Case 108421 (challenges to developer projects under CEQA)
· Ermert v. Westminster School District, Orange County Superior Court Case 429383 (successfully defended District in writ of mandate proceeding by terminated teacher)
· BIA/Baldwin v. SVUSD, Orange County Superior Court Case 610962 (challenge to developer fees; case settled and District received additional $650,000 in developer fees)
· Ramos v. City of Laguna Beach, Appellate Court Case 4 Civil No. G012118 (defended City on employee claim for right to appeal loss of merit pay; City won on appeal)
· Rush v. SVUSD, Orange County Superior Court Case 690050 (defended District in CEQA violation claim, which the District won)
· Roubanis v. City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Superior Court Case 704824 (defended City in litigation by former employer alleging sexual harassment; case settled on first day of trial)
· Brooks v. East San Gabriel Valley Conservation District, Los Angeles County Superior Court Case KC016396 (defended public agency against claim by former employee alleging sexual harassment)
PRACTICE GROUPS
· Education Law
· Municipal/Government Agency Law