Mary F. Lerner is a Partner in Lozano Smith's Fresno and Monterey offices 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 personnel matters, finances, development, CEQA, LAFCO, the Brown Act, board governance, sustainable groundwater agencies, elections, code enforcement, First Amendment issues, labor negotiations, and public safety. Ms. Lerner is 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), as well as serving as a mentor to new faculty. She was selected as a recipient of the Phoenix500 Award, recognizing top faculty from across the country who go above and beyond engaging and supporting students and fostering their learning. 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.
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.
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.