Anne L. Collins
Partner | Sacramento
acollins@lozanosmith.com
Tel: 916.329.7433
Fax: 916.329.9050
Vcard |
Bio
Overview
Anne L. Collins is a Partner in Lozano Smith's Sacramento office. Ms. Collins serves as trusted counsel to school districts, special districts, and other public agencies throughout California, advising governing boards and executive leadership on complex legal, governance, operational, and strategic matters.Ms. Collins is particularly recognized for her work guiding boards through governance and leadership issues, Brown Act compliance, Public Records Act matters, conflicts of interest, ethics, and high-profile or sensitive situations requiring practical legal judgment and strategic counsel. Her extensive general counsel and litigation experience helps public agency clients effectively and efficiently navigate and resolve legal issues ranging from the routine to the novel and nuanced.
In addition to her governance work, Ms. Collins maintains a strong facilities, business, and litigation practice focused on helping public agencies manage risk while advancing critical institutional projects and objectives. She regularly advises clients on construction procurement and contracting, public works bidding, alternative delivery methods, real property matters, CEQA compliance, and contractor disputes. Her practice also includes eminent domain litigation, writ proceedings, contract disputes, and other complex public agency litigation matters.
Ms. Collins' areas of expertise include:
- General counsel and governance matters for governing boards and executive leadership;
- Brown Act, Public Records Act, conflicts of interest, ethics, and board governance;
- Construction procurement, public works bidding, claims, and alternative delivery methods;
- Contract procurement, and negotiations;
- Real property disposition, acquisition, CEQA, and developer fees; and
- Litigation involving eminent domain, writ proceedings, and contractor disputes.
Presenter Experience
Ms. Collins is a highly sought-after presenter and regularly conducts workshops and presentations for statewide associations, governing boards, executive leadership teams, and public agency clients throughout California. She is known for delivering practical, engaging, and solutions-oriented guidance on both foundational and emerging issues impacting public agencies.Representative Associations
- Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)
- California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO)
- California Special Districts Association (CSDA)
- Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH)
- Fire Districts Association of California (FDAC)
- Small School Districts Association (SSDA)
- Brown Act, Public Records Act, and AB 1234
- Contracting with Confidence
- Using Facilities and Property to Generate Revenue
- Masterclass in the Lease-Leaseback Procurement Process and Construction Documents
- Public Works Bidding
- Purchasing and Procurement
- Records Retention
- Technology Legal Issues
Court Admissions
Ms. Collins is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Eastern Districts of California.Education
Ms. Collins received her law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. As a law student, she earned top honors and received the Capital City Trial Lawyers Association Award. She also received the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Award. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.California Court of Appeal Reinforces Public’s Right to Peace Officer Personnel Records Under the California Public Records Act
Four New Bills Will Impact Local Agency Meetings under the Brown Act
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Legislative Updates: SB 69, SB 149, & AB 356
A Reminder that Mandatory Ethics Training for School Officials is Coming
The End of the COVID-19 State of Emergency Impacts Remote Board Meetings under AB 361
New Options for Local Legislative Bodies to Access Public Meetings Remotely
Senate Bill 1100 Addresses Disruptive Public Conduct at Public Meetings
Ninth Circuit Holds Blocking Public from Officials' Social Media Accounts May Violate First Amendment
Sample Litigation
- In Anderson Union High School District v. Shasta Secondary Home School (2016) 4 Cal.App.5th 262, Ms. Collins was part of the Lozano Smith litigation team that successfully argued, in a case of first impression, that the geographic and site limitations of the Charter Schools Act (Ed. Code, § 47600 et seq.) are applicable to all charter schools, including "nonclassroom-based" programs.
E91 School Facilities, Funding and Construction Series – Part 3: Implementation
In the final episode of our three-part podcast series, host Sloan Simmons joins Lozano Smith Facilities and Business Partners Megan Macy and Anne Collins, and special guest Sue Bell, Chief Facilities Officer for the Elk Grove Unified School District, to tackle all things implementation. The experts discuss turning plans into action, from developing teams and agreements to delivery methods and launch.Missed an episode in this series? Visit lozanosmith.com/podcast_SFFCSeries.php for Parts 1, 2 and 3!
E90 School Facilities, Funding and Construction Series – Part 2: Planning and Procurement
In Part 2 of this three-part podcast series, host Sloan Simmons is back with Lozano Smith Facilities and Business Partners Megan Macy and Anne Collins, and special guest Sue Bell, Chief Facilities Officer for the Elk Grove Unified School District. The group covers team building, planning with and for consultants, tips and tricks, and how to best utilize your legal team to get your project off the ground.Missed an episode in this series? Visit lozanosmith.com/podcast_SFFCSeries.php for Parts 1, 2 and 3!
E88 School Facilities, Funding and Construction Series – Part 1: The New State Bond
In this three-part podcast series, host Sloan Simmons engages with Lozano Smith Facilities and Business Partners Megan Macy and Anne Collins, as well as special guest Sue Bell, Chief Facilities Officer for the Elk Grove Unified School District, on a thoughtful discussion regarding state funding and post-Proposition 2 spending. This discussion will assist listeners in issue spotting, problem solving, and building a proactive approach to planning and managing your district’s future. Part 1 of the series covers what is different in the new State Bond, and what it means from a practical perspective for school districts.Missed an episode in this series? Visit lozanosmith.com/podcast_SFFCSeries.php for Parts 1, 2 and 3!