COSTA MESA, Calif., July 26, 2012 – The San Juan Capistrano City Council has unanimously approved the appointment of Rutan & Tucker, LLP, one of Orange County largest and oldest law firms, to provide city attorney services for the community of 35,000 that has origins going back over 200 years, and was incorporated in 1961.
A subcommittee headed by Councilmembers Sam Allevato and Derek Reeve recommended Rutan to the council after interviewing representatives of three law firms.
Hans Van Ligten, head of Rutan’s Government & Regulatory Law Section, will serve as San Juan Capistrano's new city attorney and has been the assistant city attorney of Laguna Beach for 25 years. Fellow Rutan partner Patrick Muñoz, who is the city attorney of Dana Point and Twentynine Palms, will serve as assistant city attorney.
Van Ligten’s practice also focuses on municipal law, zoning and general planning, California Environmental Quality Act compliance and litigation, U.S. and California Endangered Species Act compliance, wetland regulation and streambed alteration, and administrative law. The Daily Journal, California’s largest legal news provider, has named Muñoz one of California’s 25 Most Impactful Municipal Lawyers for his outstanding achievements in the field of municipal law. He also co-chairs the firm’s Government Relations and Political Law Practice Group.
Rutan partners are the city attorneys for seven other Orange County cities, including San Juan Capistrano and the neighboring cities of Dana Point, Laguna Beach and San Clemente.
“We are honored to be selected to serve the City of San Juan Capistrano and look forward to a productive and successful relationship,” said Kim Thompson, the firm’s managing partner.
About Rutan & Tucker LLP
Rutan & Tucker is California’s largest full-service law firm headquartered in Orange County, California with offices in Costa Mesa and Palo Alto. Primary practice areas include corporate and securities law, business and real estate litigation, labor and employment law, intellectual property, real estate, municipal and government agency law, land use law, bankruptcy, condemnation and property valuation, environmental law, and taxation and estate planning. Detailed information about the firm is available at www.rutan.com.