Bill Pellman has extensive experience in municipal law, governmental litigation, land use, and mediation. Prior to joining Nossaman, he served as the ninth County Counsel of Los Angeles County. His 31 years with the County Counsel's office covered a myriad of responsibilities and legal areas. These included being legal advisor to the Board of Supervisors, County Districts, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, County Superintendent of Schools, the Superior Courts, and special districts.
For 20 years, Mr. Pellman was the advisor to the Los Angeles County Local Agency Formation Commission. Subsequent to his service as the County Counsel of Los Angeles, he assisted and advised public agency clients and private clients regarding a variety of government law issues.
He also served as a designated expert witness as to the standard of care of public agency attorneys in a professional malpractice action. Additionally, Mr. Pellman was awarded the esteemed El Gran Matador Award by the California Contract Cities Association.
Representative Work
Chapman v. Superior Court (Malcolm), (2005) 130 Cal. App. 4th 261, [29 Cal. Rptr. 3d 852].
Served as the designated expert witness as to the standard of care of a public agency attorney.
Monterey County. Coordinated analysis of general plan initiative and associated compliance with Federal Voting Rights Act.
Served as lead counsel in negotiating the settlement of federal litigation attacking the County of Los Angeles ordinance restricting the sale of guns and ammunition on County owned property and the claims for damages by the previous gun show operator at the County fairgrounds located within a city.
Served as lead counsel in negotiating the settlement of a lawsuit seeking placement on the ballot of an initiative to impose limits of two terms on Los Angeles County Supervisors commencing in December of 2000, resulting in a ballot measure to impose three consecutive terms commencing in December of 2002.
Served as lead counsel in negotiation of nine class action federal lawsuits alleging damages for over-detentions and strip searches of persons in custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on terms favorable to the County as to the amount of damages, payments over time, and portions of the settlement fund to be spent on improving programs for inmates.
Mediated issues between two groups of shareholders of two closely held corporations (one the holder of a patent and the other the holder of a license to use the patent) resulting in an exchange of shares of one corporation, which then dissolved, for shares of the other corporation, averting a threatened collapse of both corporations. The surviving corporation continues to manufacture and sell its product on a national scale.
Served as lead counsel in negotiating the settlement of multiple consolidated federal lawsuits contending that Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputies systematically violated the constitutional rights of individuals within the service area of a particular Sheriff's station with a portion of the settlement amount being set aside for the Sheriff's Department to provide additional training for Sheriff's Deputies.
Defended the County of Los Angeles in state and federal court in lawsuits alleging failures to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.
Represented the County of Los Angeles in a proceeding under the National Historic Preservation Act and negotiated with the State Historic Preservation Officer an agreement on terms which permitted the County project to proceed.
Reviewed draft environmental documents and advised County departments and elected officials regarding compliance with legal requirements for a number of projects including Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area, Pan Pacific Park and Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area.
Served as the Chair of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Settlement Committee from its creation until April 2004.
Served as a member of the Los Angeles County Claims Board for 20 years.
Authored State legislation which permits counties to lease its real property to private lessees for revenue purposes and assisted in the negotiation of the first leases utilizing that authority.
Authored State legislation to prohibit various actions concerning facsimile badges of firefighters.
Co-authored the first local ordinance to regulate training requirements, equipment standards and Charter boat activities relating to SCUBA diving; and assisted in the successful defense of the lawsuit challenging the ordinance on preemption grounds.