Mona G. Ebrahimi, Shareholder
Mona, manager of the firm’s public agency practice group, is an AV-rated attorney who enjoys practicing municipal law and the opportunity to see her work come to fruition in the communities she represents. As City Attorney to the City of Placerville, the City of Rio Vista, and the Town of Atherton, as well as General Counsel to the Amador County Transportation Commission, Del Paso Manor Water District, and Suisun/Solano Water Authority, she provides general counsel services in a broad range of municipal and public law matters.
Legal Experience
Mona is skilled in addressing the variety of legal issues that challenge public agencies, for example, she may be navigating the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for a land use project one day, and representing a police officer in court the next day. She has successfully opposed dozens of Pitchess motions in court and helped her clients achieve victories in cases brought pursuant to the CEQA. Outside the courtroom setting, Mona advocates for her city clients in administrative hearings. She regularly attends City Council and Planning Commission meetings and advises those bodies to ensure compliance with the Brown Act and Conflicts of Interest Laws. She also is a certified mediator experienced in alternative dispute resolution, offering clients a cost-effective, non-litigation option for resolving conflicts. Her areas of practice include:
- Public contracts review, drafting, and competitive bidding
- Advising and responding to requests about local governance, such as open meeting laws, the Brown Act, Public records laws, including the Public Records Act and Pitchess laws, Election law, and Conflicts of Interest
- California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and CEQA litigation
- Development agreements review, drafting, and negotiation
- Joint Power Authorities (JPAs)
- Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
- Land use
- Prevailing wage issues
- Property development (for commercial projects, residential, subdivisions, and master-planned communities)
- Subdivision Map Act
While in law school, she clerked for the United States Attorney’s Office, San Diego County, where she interviewed witnesses and drafted interrogatories, composed legal memorandums, drafted motions, conducted research, and drafted responses to torts claims. She also served as a judicial extern for the Superior Court of San Diego where she conducted criminal legal research and drafted legal memorandums for judges. During this time, she also served as a pro bono intern with the Legal Aid Society of San Diego, assisting indigent clients with unlawful detainer complaints.
Practice Examples
- Mona successfully represented the City of Rio Vista in Collondrez v. City of Rio Vista (2021), where the Plaintiff sued for over $4 million dollars after the City of Rio Vista discussed former police officer John Collondrez’s personnel records that related to a finding of dishonesty. The First District Court of Appeal held that the City’s disclosures were lawful and further granted the city’s anti-SLAPP motion as disclosures constituted protected speech. This case set a precedent in the State of California on the interpretation of S.B. 1421, which provided that “public records related to officer-involved shootings, officer use of force resulting in great bodily injury or death, or a sustained finding of officer dishonesty or sexual assault are no longer confidential and must be made available for public inspection pursuant to the CPRA, with limited exception.” The City prevailed on every action and was awarded its legal fees and costs.
- Mona has reviewed and provided legal advice on dozens of environmental documents. She has also defended cities in CEQA litigation.
- Mona is experienced in negotiating and drafting development agreements for municipalities, having handled numerous agreements between private entities and cities for new and infill development.
- As a certified mediator, Mona has mediated cases in small claims court and juvenile hall, handling conflicts between individuals, families, privately owned companies, and juvenile hall minors. While in undergraduate school, she also mediated conflicts between student groups, faculty, and administration.
Professional Activities & Accomplishments
Mona believes strongly in serving the community. She currently fulfills that goal by volunteering at local non-profit organizations. Her professional activities and affiliations include:
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Rated Attorney
- Best Lawyers® 2021 Municipal Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Sacramento
- The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Municipal Law (2021-2024)
- Northern California Super Lawyer (2023)
- Northern California Super Lawyer, Rising Star (2012-2021)
- Top Lawyers, Sacramento Magazine (2016-2023)
- Best of the Bar, Sacramento Business Journal (2018)
- Top 100 Professionals Under 40 (2013)
- Adjunct Professor, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law
- Member, Sacramento County Bar Association
- Member, Association of Environmental Professionals
- Member, Metro Chamber’s Leadership Sacramento Class of 2011
- California State Bar #236550
Publications and Speaking Engagements
- Author, “Discharge of Public Employee Who Sent Scathing Email Criticizing His Superiors Did Not Violate Employees Free Speech Rights,” California Special District Magazine, Vol. 4, Issue 6, Nov-Dec 2010
- Author, “Legal Uncertainty: Local Regulation of Medical Marijuana Collectives,” California Land Use Law & Policy Reporter, April 2010
- Contributing Author, CEB’s California Land Use Practice, section on vested rights
- Contributing Author, LOCC’s Municipal Law Handbook, section on Government Claims Act
- Provides several AB 1234, Conflicts of Interest, Public Records Act and Brown Act presentations annually to special districts, cities, and members of CSDA and SACRS
Academic Background
J.D. California Western School of Law, San Diego, 2004
- Cum Laude
- American Jurisprudence Award recipient in Property Law, Advanced Mediation, Advanced Legal Research and Writing, Negotiation, and Child Advocacy
- Academic Achievement Scholarship
- Dean’s Honor List, 2003 and 2004
- Commencement Speaker, 2004
- Honors Instructor, Legal Research and Writing, 2004
B.A. University of California, Davis, 2002
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Overview
Phone: (916) 321-4597 | Email: mebrahimi@kmtg.comAreas of Practice
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
Newsroom
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Role and Responsibilities of a Water District Director
- The Brown Act – basic requirements
- The Fair Political Practices Act – basic requirements
- Conflict of Interest Code
- Requirements for Ethics Training
- Avoiding common legal and political pitfalls for Directors
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
- Laws Relating to Personal Financial Gain
- Laws Relating to Prerequisites of Office
- Government Transparency Laws
- Laws Relating to Fair Processes
- Municipalities and Special Districts
- General Municipal
- Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- Real Estate and Land Use
- Economic Development and Housing
- Brown Act and Open Meetings Compliance
- Code Enforcement
- Conflicts of Interest
- Elections and Redistricting Issues
- Government Policy and Public Integrity
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs)
- Public Agency Litigation
- California Public Records Act
- Fees, Taxes, and Assessments
- Public Finance
- Mediation and Arbitration
Speaking Engagements
04.08.2022
|Speaking Engagement
|PRA Case Update
Location
Costa Mesa, CA
Related Practices/Industries
Overview
Shareholder Mona Ebrahimi and Senior Counsel Kevin Flautt will present at the 2022 Open Meetings and Open Records Conference hosted by the Public Law Section of the California Lawyers Association. Courts have been busy over the last few years deciding cases that better define public agencies’ rights and obligations under the California Public Records Act and related laws. From limitations on the “overbroad and unduly burdensome” exception to requests to the disclosure of information about COVID-19 contact tracing, this session will provide a focused update on two years’ worth of Public Records Act case law.
For more information and to register, please visit the event website.
11.19.2021
|Speaking Engagement
|Tips For Compliance: SB1421 Police Officer Personnel Records And Disclosure
DATE
Friday, November 19
LOCATION
Monterey, CA
Related Practices/Industries
Kronick is pleased to again sponsor CALPELRA’s Annual Conference on November 16 – 19, 2021. The California Public Records Act provides a right of access to public records unless the record is expressly exempt. Peace officer records are generally exempt from public inspection, and until recently, Pitchess motions were the exclusive method of obtaining personnel records. But effective January 2019, Senate Bill 1421 amended Penal Code sections to provide that public records related to officer-involved shootings, officer use of force resulting in great bodily injury or death, or a sustained finding of officer dishonesty or sexual assault are no longer confidential and must be made available for public inspection pursuant to the CPRA, with limited exception. Mona Ebrahimi and Kevin Flautt will discuss the intersection of these various laws and valuable tips for complying with them. For more information and to register, please visit the event website.
05.05.2017
|Kronick Sponsorship
|League of California Cities City Attorneys’ Spring Conference
Date:
May 3-5, 2017
Location:
San Francisco
Organizers:
Related Practices/Industries
Organized By:
League of California Cities (LOCC)
Program Overview:
Kronick is pleased to sponsor the League of California Cities City Attorneys' Spring Conference in San Francisco. This conference provides training on cutting-edge issues in municipal law, including comprehensive updates on litigation affecting cities.
Registration:
Please visit the event website for more information and to register.
02.06.2015
|Speaking Engagement
|Water 101 – The Basics and Beyond | Governance Primer for Water District Directors
Date:
Friday, February 6, 2015
Time:
9:00 AM
Location:
West Sacramento Civic Center Galleria
1110 W. Capitol Ave
Organizers:
Related Practices/Industries
Sponsored By:
Water Education Foundation
Water 101 – The Basics and Beyond (February 5-6, 2015)
A day-and-a-half course on California water basics and water district board member governance featuring top experts and policymakers. The first day of the workshop explores the history and geography of the state’s water infrastructure, offers a primer on water rights and where they come into play, and explains which agencies regulate water and how you can work with the state Legislature. It also delves into hot topics such as the new Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and what’s next in implementing the landmark legislation as well as funding opportunities from the water bond passed by voters in November. The second day serves as a primer on governance for water board directors and discusses how to work with the media.
Kronick Presenters:
[SPEAKERS]
Overview:
Topics covered by Mona will include:
For a detailed agenda of the full day-and-a-half course, please click here
Registration:
Visit the Water Education Foundation's website for more information and to register
11.13.2013
|Speaking Engagement
|The Brown Act & Subdivision Map Act: Core Components and Ensuring Compliance
Date:
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2013
Location:
City of Rio Vista
Organizers:
Related Practices/Industries
Sponsored By:
In-service workshop sponsored by the City of Rio Vista
KMTG Presenter:
[SPEAKERS]
09.17.2013
|Speaking Engagement
|The Brown Act: Core Components and Ensuring Compliance
Date:
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Time:
11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Organizers:
Related Practices/Industries
Sponsored By:
Schools Excess Liability Fund JPA
KMTG Presenter:
[SPEAKERS]
09.07.2010
|Speaking Engagement
|Inspection and Abatement Warrants and 4th Amendment Issues
Exact Date and Time TBD
Location:
Sheraton Grand Hotel
Sacramento, CA 95814
Organizers:
Related Practices/Industries
Sponsored By:
California Association of Code Enforcement
2010 Annual Code Enforcement Seminar & Exhibitor Showcase (Sept 7-10, 2010)
KMTG Presenters:
[SPEAKERS]
05.11.2010
|Speaking Engagement
|Ethics for New Trustees
Date:
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Time:
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location:
Newport Beach Marriott
Newport Beach, CA
Organizers:
Related Practices/Industries
Sponsored By:
State Association of County Retirement Systems (SACRS)
2010 Spring Conference
KMTG Presenters:
[SPEAKERS]
Registration:
For more information and to register, please visit SACRS
01.20.2010
|Speaking Engagement
|Understanding the Brown Act and Your Responsibilities
Date:
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Time:
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location:
California Rural Water Association
4125 Northgate Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95834
Organizers:
Related Practices/Industries
Sponsored By:
California Special Districts Association (CSDA)
KMTG Presenters:
[SPEAKERS]
More Information:
For more information and to register, please visit CSDA
05.12.2009
|Speaking Engagement
|AB 1234 Compliance Training For New Trustees
Date:
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Time:
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location:
Hyatt Regency San Francisco at Embarcadero
Organizers:
Related Practices/Industries
Sponsored By:
State Association of County Retirement Systems
2009 Fall Conference (May 12-15)
KMTG Presenters:
[SPEAKERS]
Registration:
For more information and to register, please visit www.sacrs.org.
02.26.2009
|Speaking Engagement
|How to be an Effective Board Member: CSDA Ethics Training
Date | Time:
Thursday, February 26, 2009
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday, february 27, 2009
8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Location:
Four Points by Sheraton
Fresno, CA
Organizers:
Related Practices/Industries
Sponsored By:
California Special Districts Association
KMTG Presenters:
[SPEAKERS]
Registration:
For more information and to register visit the CSDA website
09.25.2008
|Speaking Engagement
|AB 1234 Ethics Compliance
Date:
Thursday, Sept 25, 2008
Time:
8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Location:
Hyatt Regency
Irvine, CA
Organizers:
Related Practices/Industries
Sponsored By:
California Special Districts Association
CSDA 2008 Annual Conference (Sept 22-25, 2008)
KMTG Presenters:
[SPEAKERS]
05.13.2008
|Speaking Engagement
|AB 1234 Ethics Training
Date:
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Time:
3:00 – 5:30 p.m.
Location:
Sheraton Grand Hotel
Sacramento, CA
Organizers:
Related Practices/Industries
Sponsored By:
State Association of County Retirement Systems
Spring 2008 Conference
Registration:
For more information and to register: http://www.sacrs.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=27824&orgId=slgs
02.15.2008
|Kronick Workshop
|AB 1234: Mandatory Training for Public Officials
Date:
Friday, February 15, 2008
Time:
8:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Location:
The Sterling Hotel
1301 I Street
Sacramento, CA
Public parking garages are located at 13th & I St. and 14th & H St.
Cost:
$20 per attendee (includes continental breakfast)
Client Discount:
$100 per City/Agency for an unlimited number of employees to attend
Organizers:
Related Practices/Industries
Agenda:
KMTG Presenters:
[SPEAKERS]
Registration:
Please register on or before Friday, February 8, 2008.
Use our online registration form or notify Lisa Herrington at 916.321.4222 or lherrington@kmtg.com to reserve your spot. Please pay at the door or in advance by mailing a check payable to:
Kronick Moskovitz, et al.
400 Capitol Mall, 27th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Attn: Accounts Receivable
07.30.2007
|Speaking Engagement
|The Legal Profession
Date:
Monday, July 30, 2007
Time:
11:00 - 11:50 a.m.
Location:
King Hall
400 Mark Hall Drive
Davis, CA
Organizers:
Related Practices/Industries
Sponsored By:
UC Davis Martin Luther King Law School
King Hall Outreach Program
KMTG Presenters:
[SPEAKERS]