Overview
Quinn is a Shareholder in the Public Law Department at Richards, Watson & Gershon. Since joining the Firm in 1980, Quinn has been an advisor to cities and other public agencies, both as a city attorney and general counsel with an expertise in municipal law. With more than forty-five years of experience, Quinn is a leading local government law expert.
Work for Clients
Quinn currently serves as City Attorney for the City of Manhattan Beach and General Counsel to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District. He previously served as the City Attorney for the cities of Adelanto, Buena Park, Calimesa, Seal Beach and South El Monte, and Assistant City Attorney for the cities of Artesia, Beverly Hills, Carson, Cudahy and Rancho Palos Verdes. Quinn is widely respected by City Council Members, staff and community leaders for his expertise of municipal law and his commitment to transparency and practical approach to solving problems. Quinn has extensive experience advising boards and commissions at public meetings on matters of municipal governance and operations, including the Brown Act, parliamentary procedure, conflicts of interest and ethics, election law, the Public Records Act, public contracts and public works, specializing in land use and planning law and environmental law matters.
Professional Experience
Quinn joined the Firm in 1980 and is a Shareholder of the Firm's Public Law Department.
Professional and Community Affiliations
Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association
Member, City Attorneys Association of Los Angeles County and Orange County City Attorneys Association
Past President, Orange County City Attorneys Association
Experience
HIGHLIGHTED PROJECTS (Public Law)
Quinn has drafted extensive revisions of municipal codes and general plans for the cities of Beverly Hills, Carson, Seal Beach, and South El Monte and environmental guidelines for the cities of Beverly Hills and South El Monte. Quinn has successfully defended numerous public agencies against challenges to City Council decisions and actions. In a published opinion, the California Court of Appeal affirmed the decision of the trial court granting the city’s motion for dismissal of a case where a developer sued a city for $11 million in damages based upon the city’s denial of a housing project (Mola Development Corp. v. City of Seal Beach, 57 Cal.App.4th 405 (1997)). Other successful defenses for cities include: Sensible Citizens of Manhattan Beach v. City of Manhattan Beach (challenge to City Council’s certification of Environmental Impact Report for redevelopment of mall); Armato v. City of Manhattan Beach (challenge to City Council decision to issue coastal development permit); 3500 Sepulveda, LLC. v. City of Manhattan Beach (CEQA challenge to modifications to conditions for mall); Thomas Co and Nelson Kco v. City of South El Monte (challenge to City Council decision to deny multi-family development); Martinez v. City of South El Monte (CEQA challenge to City Council decision to approve commercial project); Patel v. City of South El Monte (federal civil rights lawsuit filed by motel owner); Brown v. Seal Beach (civil rights action against city and police officer); Stark v. Seal Beach (Federal civil rights case against city and councilmembers); Harrison v. South El Monte (action to compel city to issue permits to adult business); Century National v. Bixby (challenge to EIR). In addition, Quinn has successfully prosecuted eminent domain actions and defended earth movement cases involving landslides in the Palos Verdes Peninsula (Portuguese Bend, Flying Triangle, Bluff Cove, and Abalone Cove) and Malibu (Big Rock Mesa).
Since 2008, Quinn has served as the General Counsel to the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVD), a vector control district that serves over 35 communities in Southern California. He regularly attends Board of Trustee meetings, and advises GLACVCD on: the adoption and implementation of laws and procedures applicable to special districts such as federal and state required compliance with NPDES, the Clean Water Act, CEQA, and NEPA; and a wide variety of public law topics such as compliance with the Brown Act, Public Records Act, subpoena requests, and the Political Reform Act.
Presentations
Quinn has delivered presentations on the Subdivision Map Act, California Environmental Quality Act and discretionary permits. In addition, Quinn has presented orientation sessions to numerous City Council members and City Commissioners regarding the Brown Act, proper municipal expenditures, conflicts of interest law and governmental procedure.
