From Cynic to Public Servant: Meet Keith F. Collins
Jones Mayer partner Keith F. Collins grew up the son of a lawyer. His father’s firm in Lancaster, California, handled wills and personal injury cases, helping victims of on-the-job injuries get the financial security they needed. As kids, Mr. Collins and his siblings would help their father take good care of his clients by leaving […]
Jones Mayer Welcomes New Partners
Jones Mayer is pleased to announce the elevation of six attorneys to the Firm’s partnership, effective August 1. Each of the professionals listed below has demonstrated a commitment to serving the public with hard work, diligence, and integrity. Their leadership and dedication to our clients will be welcome additions to the partnership. Baron Bettenhausen Mr. […]
Lessons for Cities from the Sharing Economy
The sharing economy is no longer a new idea, but the constant development of novel business models centered on the sharing concept creates interesting challenges for local regulatory agencies. Each type of sharing economy business, from rideshares and micromobility to short-term rentals, brings its own complex challenges for local regulators. Addressing them requires careful deliberation. […]
Serving Those Who Serve: Meet James Touchstone
For decades, service to our state’s law enforcement agencies has been central to Jones & Mayer’s mission. Partner James Touchstone carries on the tradition today. We asked him to offer his reflections on his work and career, and the changes he sees on the horizon for his practice. Roots in public service Mr. Touchstone grew […]
California Law Enforcement and Body-Worn Cameras in 2021
The widespread adoption of body-worn cameras (BWCs) by law enforcement agencies throughout the United States has transformed public expectations of transparency and accountability in policing. While much of the transparency brought by BWCs has had a positive influence on policing, it has also created complex challenges. This article summarizes important elements of California law that […]
The Importance of Officer Conduct in Qualified Immunity Cases
In cases of qualified immunity, the facts matter. In a civil rights lawsuit filed under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 , an officer’s conduct in the course deploying force will be scrutinized from every potential angle. But the facts of the arrest itself are only half of the equation. The other half comes from case law, […]
Digital Accessibility for Local Government Agency Websites
Websites, mobile applications, and other digital tools offer exciting opportunities for local government agencies to achieve unprecedented reach and access to services across communities. At the same time, these tools also present novel challenges. Matters of accessibility are especially complex for agencies that incorporate digital technologies into their services. Tackling these questions with deliberation and […]
Public Service is in Jones & Mayer’s DNA
Richard Jones grew up in a family committed to service. Giving back to the community, donating their time to important causes, and being part of a service-oriented church all were centerpieces of his early life. Today he credits that background with shaping the core values that have made Jones & Mayer into the firm it […]
Meet Our Lead Legal Secretary, Wendy Gardea
Jones Mayer’s lead legal secretary, Wendy Gardea, brings a runner’s mindset to her work. She draws on the disciplines built over the miles to bring the focus, drive, and commitment needed to keep the firm’s gears turning. In this article, we sit down with Wendy to learn a bit about how she does it. A […]
Local Government Relief Under the American Rescue Plan Act
On March 10, 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “Act”), which created a fund to assist state and local governments that have suffered financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Act places certain restrictions on the uses to which eligible agencies can put their relief funds. This article provides a […]