April 10, 2002 (LOS ANGELES) - Secession has become a prevalent discussion topic and the subject of heated debate for many Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley residents. Never was that more evident than at a recent League of Women Voters of Los Angeles forum, where Mark Steres, a municipal law expert practicing at Brown Winfield & Canzoneri, took part in a panel to discuss potential litigation issues that could result from secession efforts.

More than 100 attendees were on hand for the League's Conference on Secession, which dealt with a variety of topics relating to the impending November ballot on the secession issue.

A key subject was the potential for lawsuits both before and after a secession vote. Steres, joined by election specialist Stephen Kaufman, offered his legal insight on the matter, highlighting the likelihood for and reasoning behind possible lawsuits.

"Splitting the assets and obligations of the City of Los Angeles with a new San Fernando City is an enormous and complex task with long-term consequences," said Steres.

The forum, which took place April 6, came just as the League of Women Voters was releasing the group's comprehensive report analyzing the pros and cons of cityhood.

During the discussion, Steres and Kaufman agreed that the chance for lawsuits from both opponents and supporters is very high, due to the broad scope of the secession effort, a contentious election, and the unprecedented nature of the situation.

Steres stated, "splitting up the police, fire and library systems, how to transfer employees and pension funds, the setting of utility rates, control over the DWP and Van Nuys airport, and, of course, fighting over ballot language and arguments, are all ripe for litigation."

None of these lawsuits should prevent the issue from appearing on the ballot in November or stop the new city from forming.

"Judges tend to allow the electorate to vote on the matter," said Steres. "It's a high hurdle to stop an election."

Mark Steres is a shareholder at Brown Winfield & Canzoneri with more than 17 years of experience in representing cities, housing authorities, redevelopment agencies and special districts. He currently acts as Assistant City Attorney for La Canada Flintridge, Monterey Park and San Dimas, in addition to acting as special counsel for the Los Angeles County Housing Authority and other public agencies.

Steres' primary emphasis is in representing public agency clients in a general counsel role, with specific expertise in land use and planning, Subdivision Map Act, CEQA, affordable housing, cable and telecommunications, public contracts and franchises, Brown Act, conflicts of interest, fiscal issues, including utility user taxes, and election law.

He is an active member of the League of California Cities and Housing and Development Law Institute, and is on the Board of the City Attorneys Association of Los Angeles County.

About Brown, Winfield & Canzoneri

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