Krishan Chopra

Experience

• 

  State of Wisconsin Department of Justice

  Jan 1995 - Jan 1995

  Law Clerk
• 

  Western Center for Disability Rights

  Jan 1996 - Jan 1996

  Law Clerk
• 

  Los Angeles Superior Court, Criminal Division

  Jan 1996 - Jan 1996

  Judicial Extern
• 

  Bowie, Arneson, Wiles & Giannone

  Jan 1998 - Jan 1999

  Associate Attorney

  • Advised school district and water district clients regarding general public agency representation matters, with a focus on municipal bond financing and construction of capital improvement projects at a firm noted for its specialization representing California water districts and school districts.

• 

  Best Best & Krieger LLP

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2001

  Associate Attorney

  • Represented cities, school districts, water districts and special districts in a wide array of matters including land use, real property acquisitions and sales, leases, municipal bond financings and public works construction projects at a leading law firm that provided contract City Attorney and District Counsel services to numerous California public agencies.

• 

  County of Napa

  Jan 2003 - May 2009

  Deputy County Counsel

  • Provided legal counsel to the Napa County Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission, Airport Land Use Commission, Flood Protection and Watershed Improvement Authority and various County departments in a wide array of municipal law matters.• Advised the County regarding the acquisition, disposition, lease and development of real property, public works construction projects, zoning and planning matters, and environmental compliance.• Drafted numerous ordinances, resolutions and contracts related to the County’s business and preservation of public welfare.• Facilitated requests for advice on Conflict of Interest Laws; managed Public Records Act requests.• Enforced the County’s Transient Occupancy Tax ordinance and prosecuted violators.• Served as Co-Counsel in a successful case defending the County’s land use approval of a winery distribution facility in Napa County (Sierra Club v. County of Napa, (2004) 121 Cal.App.4th 1490).• Successfully represented the County Public Conservator in imposing conservatorships in over 100 cases. Show less

• 

  City of Mountain View

  May 2009 - Dec 2021

  Provided legal services and counsel to the City Council, boards, commissions, and City officers and employees; and participate as a member of the management team in support of City departments.Developed expertise in Land Use and Planning matters, Environmental (CEQA) compliance), Public Contracting procedures, Public Finance, Brown Act compliance and Open Meeting laws, Conflict of Interest laws, and intergovernmental agreements. Managed a team of five attorneys, two Code enforcement officers, and two legal support staff.Defended civil actions and proceedings to which the City is a party and prosecuted criminal actions involving the City Code. Represented and advised the City Council, boards, commissions, departments, and all City officials in matters of law and necessary drafts of legal documents, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other documents pertaining to the City's business. Show less

  • City Attorney

    Jul 2019 - Dec 2021

  • Senior Assistant City Attorney; Assistant City Attorney

    May 2009 - Jul 2019
• 

  Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP

  Jun 2022 - Jan 2025

  Partner

  Public agency representation, specializing in land use and planning, environmental compliance (CEQA), governmental ethics, public contracting, and Brown Act open meeting compliance.

• 

  California Hearing Officers, LLP

  Feb 2025 - now

  Legal Hearing Officer

  I am a seasoned municipal law practitioner and former City Attorney with over 25 years experience. I preside over a wide variety of administrative hearings for California hospitals, healthcare providers, and public agencies. California Hearing Officers is a leading firm which provides experienced, ethical, and neutral legal hearing officers to administrative agencies throughout the state.