General News
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Welcome Andriy Pazuniak
Woodruff & Smart, APC, is pleased to announce that Andriy Pazuniak has joined the Firm as Senior Counsel in its municipal law practice group. Mr. Pazuniak advises cities, special districts, and other public agencies on governmental and regulatory activities, including contracts and environmental compliance. Mr. Pazuniak brings extensive experience representing public agencies and private entities in land…
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Welcome Jason Luebbers
We are pleased to announce that Jason Luebbers has joined Woodruff & Smart, APC, as Senior Counsel in our Public Law Department and Transportation Practice Group. Jason brings a wealth of experience in public transportation and complex regulatory matters, at both the state and federal level. With a strong background advising public transit agencies on…
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Congratulations to Gary Weisberg — Super Lawyer in Eminent Domain
Super Lawyer for 5 Consecutive Years Woodruff & Smart, APC, is proud to announce that Gary Weisberg has been selected to the 2026 Super Lawyers list in the category of Eminent Domain, marking his fifth consecutive year earning this distinguished honor. The Super Lawyers designation is awarded to no more than five percent of attorneys in each state…
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New Shareholders
Woodruff & Smart, APC, is pleased to announce the elevation of Michael S. Daudt and Michael C. Valdez to the rank of Shareholder within the firm. This distinction reflects years of exceptional dedication, outstanding client service, and a steadfast commitment to the values that define Woodruff & Smart, APC. Woodruff & Smart, APC, extends its warmest congratulations to Michael…
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Woodruff Obtains Ninth Circuit Win for OCTA
In a ruling issued on March 13, 2024, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Southern California Gas and Southern California Edison must bear the cost for relocating their facilities to make way for OCTA’s Streetcar Project. OCTA agreed to advance the cost of relocations, approximately $14 million, so that there would be no…
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Woodruff Obtains Ninth Circuit Win for City of Beverly Hills
In Yagman v. Wunderlich, et al., Plaintiff, Stephen Yagman, a well-known civil rights attorney, representing himself, sued the City based on a $1,000 fine he received for parking in a disabled spot without properly displaying a DMV-issued placard. He claimed this fine was excessive and filed suit in federal court asserting nine constitutional claims under 42…
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Woodruff Director Obtains Two Favorable Administrative Appeal Decisions
Keith Dobyns successfully represented the Orange County Fire Authority in a two-day hearing before a hearing officer who heard the appeal of a denial of the application for disability retirement benefits by the Orange County Employees Retirement System for an employee who was disabled and had not been able to work for eight years. OCFA…
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Woodruff Obtains Two Favorable Appellate Court Wins for Public Agency Clients
Woodruff obtained a favorable appellate decision upholding summary adjudication in Roe v. County of Orange. In this case, Plaintiff, a deputy, sued the County and another deputy who she alleged was her supervisor on various FEHA causes of action, including sexual harassment, alleging the other deputy sexually assaulted her while they were on an out-of-state…
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Woodruff Director Assists with Negotiations of Agreement In Relation to Land Sale Netting Client $5.3 Million
Woodruff Director and City Attorney, David Kendig, assisted a municipal client negotiate a Profit Participation Agreement (PPA) as part of a sale of agency-owned property. The developer that purchased the land recently completed its sales of the new homes at the property at values that had increased since the sale closed, so the PPA netted…
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Published CEQA Decision Upholds Use of the Infill Exemption
In Protect Tustin Ranch v. City of Tustin (2021) 70 Cal.App.5th 951, the California Court of Appeal upheld the use of CEQA’s infill exemption for a Costco Gas Station project. The City of Tustin was successfully represented by Woodruff Director Ricia R. Hager. The opinion is the first to interpret and clarify the project site…