Overview

Mary F. Lerner is a Partner in Lozano Smith's Fresno office and serves as co-chair of the firm's Municipal Practice Group. Ms. Lerner is also a member of the firm's Facilities and Business, Governance, and Labor and Employment Practice Groups. Ms. Lerner advises clients regarding a wide-range of issues affecting public agencies.

Experience

Ms. Lerner's practice is focused on civil litigation (including the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution - arbitration and mediation), contracts, health insurance law, bankruptcy/representation of creditors, and general counsel for public agency clients throughout California. In addition, she assists clients in defense of issues related to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Education

Ms. Lerner obtained her Juris Doctor degree from the San Joaquin College of Law. She graduated from California State University, Fresno with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.

Community Involvement

Ms. Lerner is an adjunct professor at the University of Phoenix, where she teaches Business Law (undergraduate and graduate levels) and Ethical Legal Topics (undergraduate level). She also serves as a faculty mentor to new faculty. Ms. Lerner also partners with the Fresno County Bar Association on various civic engagement opportunities, including the Speaker's Bureau, where she works on projects with local high school students.

California Supreme Court Affirms, for the First Time, a Reduction of Public Pension Benefits without an Off-Set

By: Mary Lerner, Shane Strong- 10/20/2020

Plaintiffs with Late Tort Claims Take a Hit

By: Mary Lerner, Sophia Cohn- 05/27/2020

New Brown Act Case Clarifies Brown Act's Pending Litigation Exception When Litigation is Orally Threatened

By: Mary Lerner, Ryan Harrison, Sr.- 04/20/2020

How to Address COVID-19 with Your Governing Board: Brown Act Reminders

By: Mary Lerner, Anne Collins, Jerome Behrens- 03/27/2020

AB 1600 Modifies Pitchess Motion Filing Deadlines and Expands Potential Access to Peace Officer Personnel Records

By: Mary Lerner, Travis Cochran, Benjamin Brown- 01/30/2020

The 7 Things Every Elected Board or Council Member Should Know

By: Mary Lerner, Anne Collins- 11/26/2019

Host Devon Lincoln talks with Lozano Smith partners Mary Lerner and Anne Collins, co-chairs of the firm's Governance Practice Group, about the basics that every newly elected member of a local agency governing body should know when assuming office. This podcast isn't just for newly electeds - it's full of information for public officials, local agency staff, and members of the voting public too.

Navigating the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act in California

By: James Sanchez, Mary Lerner- 08/22/2018

Lozano Smith attorneys discuss some of the important aspects of California's future and complex history with groundwater. Topics include the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA), pre-1914 water rights, and CEQA issues and evaluations. Additionally, they dive into various considerations as local governments adopt general plans and make decisions affecting groundwater and land use.