Overview

Shawn A. VanWagenen is Senior Counsel in Lozano Smith's Fresno office and serves as co-chair of the firm's Facilities and Business Practice Group. As a native of California's Central Valley, Mr. VanWagenen provides general counsel to school districts and cities as an active member of the Firm's Local Government and Facilities & Business practice groups. Mr. VanWagenen works closely with clients to appreciate their organizations, culture and goals, so Lozano Smith can support administrators in developing the right solution for each legal issue.

Experience

Mr. VanWagenen assists school districts in a variety of areas, including:

• Real property issues
• Contract development review and negotiation
• Land use and zoning
• Sale and lease transactions
• Construction
• CEQA matters
• Brown Act and Public Records Act
• Effective Board Governance
• Charter Schools

Presenter Experience

Mr. VanWagenen has presented at various events including the Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH) annual conference, California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) regional workshop series, trainings hosted by county offices of education, and Lozano Smith's Facilities & Business webinars. He also conducts regular client trainings on general board governance, the Brown Act, contracting, real property transactions, public works projects, and charter schools.

Education

Mr. VanWagenen received his Juris Doctor from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a minor in Business Management from Brigham Young University.

Professional Affiliations

Mr. VanWagenen is a member of the State Bar of California and is admitted to the Eastern District of California.

Bid Thresholds Raised for 2021

By: Ruth Mendyk, Shawn VanWagenen- 12/22/2020

Bid Thresholds Raised For 2020

By: Ruth Mendyk, Shawn VanWagenen- 12/06/2019

Changes To Skilled And Trained Workforce Requirements For Public Works Projects

By: Claudia Weaver, Shawn VanWagenen- 01/08/2019

Public Entities Must Proceed with Caution When Preparing an Addendum to a Negative Declaration

By: Anne Collins, Shawn VanWagenen- 06/15/2017

FCC Issues Guidance on Schools' Use of Robocalls

By: Megan Macy, Shawn VanWagenen- 09/15/2016

Level 3 Developer Fees are Again Moving Forward after Latest Court Decision

By: Harold Freiman, Megan Macy, Shawn VanWagenen- 08/24/2016

California Energy Commission Sets Eligibility Deadline for Proposition 39 Funds

By: Devon Lincoln, Shawn VanWagenen- 08/22/2016

Solar Energy Gets Two Important New Year Boosts

By: Devon Lincoln, Shawn VanWagenen- 02/29/2016