Lozano Smith - Fresno, CA

California Premier Education and Public Agency Law Firm

For over thirty-five years, Lozano Smith has served as the gold standard of legal counsel for California schools, municipalities, and public agencies. Founded in Fresno in 1988 by Louis T. Lozano, the firm was established to provide dedicated solutions for public officials, educators, and local communities. Operating from nine California offices with Fresno as its central headquarters, the firm counsels over 550 public entities, including K-12 school districts, community colleges, and municipal governments. Their attorneys deliver forward-thinking counsel that helps public leaders navigate complex regulations while protecting public resources.

Public Sector Labor Relations and Employment Law

Public agencies operate under intricate labor relations statutes that differ significantly from the private sector. Lozano Smith serves as chief labor negotiators and employment counsel for public employers across California. Practice areas include:

• Employment and labor lawyers guiding agencies through collective bargaining, mediation, and fact-finding.
• Defending employers against unfair labor practice charges before the California Public Employment Relations Board.
• Workplace discrimination lawyers and harassment lawyers conducting independent Title VII, FEHA, and administrative investigations into employee complaints.
• Representing school districts and municipal bodies in teacher dismissal proceedings, civil service commission hearings, and grievance arbitrations.
• Wage and hour lawyers ensuring compliance with public sector compensation structures and state labor requirements.

Educational Governance, Student Services, and Title IX

Educational leaders confront rapid regulatory shifts in student privacy, campus safety, and civil rights compliance. Lozano Smith provides comprehensive governance advisory services to school boards and administrative teams:

• Advising governing boards on Ralph M. Brown Act open-meeting compliance, Public Records Act disclosures, and conflict-of-interest statutes.
• Managing comprehensive Title IX compliance, policy drafting, and formal administrative investigation hearings.
• Guiding special education directors through IEP disputes, Section 504 compliance, and Office of Administrative Hearings mediation.
• Counseling districts on student discipline, expulsion hearings, and campus safety protocols.

Public Facilities, Environmental Review, and Commercial Contracts

Building and modernizing public infrastructure requires strict adherence to California public contracting laws. The firm real estate and business group assists public entities in structuring and executing complex capital improvement initiatives:

• Commercial real estate lawyers negotiating land acquisitions, shared-use agreements, and surplus property dispositions.
• Structuring public works construction bidding, lease-leaseback agreements, and architect contracts.
• Contract lawyers drafting enforceable vendor service agreements and technology procurement contracts.
• Navigating California Environmental Quality Act review, developer mitigation fees, and municipal bond financing.

Comprehensive Municipal Litigation and Risk Management

When disputes escalate to court action, Lozano Smith business litigation lawyers provide formidable defense across California state and federal courts. The firm defends public entities in contract disputes, bid protests, writ proceedings, and civil rights actions. Through regular legal briefs and preventive seminars, the firm equips public leaders with tools to minimize liability and resolve issues before litigation begins.

Partner with California Leading Public Agency Attorneys

Managing a public institution requires trusted legal counsel with a deep commitment to the public good. If your governing board, school district, or municipal agency needs to retain counsel or find an attorney experienced in public governance and education law, contact Lozano Smith at their Fresno headquarters on North Spalding Avenue today to discuss your legal requirements.