(626) 219-2768
tanderson@chwlaw.us
Taylor is Senior Counsel in the Firm’s municipal advisory practice group and resident in our Pasadena office. She has dedicated her practice to representing cities and government agencies since 2017. She serves as the Assistant City Attorney for the Cities of Calabasas and Ojai, and as Planning Commission Counsel for the City of Ojai. She also serves as a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Barstow.
Her general counsel practice covers the full range of public law issues, including: elections, public works and public contracting, cannabis regulation, conflicts of interest, government ethics, open meetings and public records laws, commission and public meeting management, land use and planning, CEQA, sustainability and environmental policies, local emergencies, and other state and federal laws governing cities.
Before joining CHW, Taylor served as Deputy City Attorney for the City of Long Beach, advising its officials and departments on an extensive array of municipal issues. While serving as legal counsel for the City of Long Beach, she advised city departments, the city council, and commissions on unique and challenging projects, such as:
- Implementing and enforcing the cannabis business licensing program after recreational cannabis became legal in California 2016.
- Advising the Police Department about the redaction and release of law enforcement use-of-force and officer-involved shooting records and the creation of a team to manage and redact such records after AB 748 and SB 1421 became effective.
- Legal counsel for all departments during the COVID-19 emergency for her client, the Long Beach Health Department, inclusive of drafting health orders and advising on the constantly-changing state regulations.
- Advising the inaugural Long Beach Independent Redistricting Commission and inaugural Ethics Commission and their support staff, inclusive of the city’s first ethic program.
- Advising city officials and employees regarding government ethics including: conflicts of interest, including the Political Reform Act, Gov. Code section 1090, incompatible offices, and the Levine Act; Form 700 filings; behested payments (Form 803); gifts; lobbying; revolving door; the Public Records Act; the Brown Act; Rosenberg’s and Robert’s Rules of Order; local election law, including legal restrictions on candidates during campaign and ballot measures; due process, fair hearings, and ex parte contacts; AB 1234; and commission roles and responsibilities. Ms. Anderson also has created presentations and presented on these issues.
- Advising various legislative bodies (and support staff) that struggled with respect and civility during public meetings, and compliance with Robert/Rosenberg’s Rules of Order and the Brown Act.
- Local elections, including highly contested seats, charter amendments, and ballot initiatives.
- Drafting ordinances and resolutions on a variety of matters, including, but not limited to: elections, policy adoption, legislative agendas, sustainability and environmental policies, flavored tobacco ban, commission regulations, business licenses, and land use/planning.
- Drafting and negotiating contracts for professional services, grants, public works projects; technology services; purchases, including, parts, vehicles, and watercraft for the city’s fleet services and public safety departments.
- Advising the Health Department regarding their programs, such as, services for people experiencing homelessness, hazardous waste and hazardous materials regulatory management program, including underground storage tanks and landfill gas management; tobacco enforcement; food facility permits; HIPAA compliance for city clinics and medical services; Americans with Disabilities Act, and equity.
Prior to her career as an attorney, Ms. Anderson worked as a manager for 4 years in the mortgage industry for a company that provides notary public services nationwide. She also worked in asset management for 5 years, negotiating contracts for the sale of foreclosed properties.
Taylor graduated from Vanguard University in 2006 with a B.A. in English. She received her J.D. in 2016 from Pacific Coast University School of Law, where she graduated as valedictorian.
Practice Areas:
- Public Law
- Elections Law
- Government Ethics and Conflicts of Interest
- Brown Act
- Public Records Act
- Public Contracting Law
- Cannabis Regulation and Permitting
- Americans with Disabilities Act & HIPAA Compliance
- Land Use and Planning
- Redistricting
- Local Emergencies