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Sayer presents on Ag Industry Risk Management

January 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

Michael Swanson, Ph.D., of Wells Fargo Ag Industries, and Melissa Sayer, senior associate at A to Z Law, will host a seminar on how to manage global and local risk in agriculture. Sayer will speak on Ventura County agriculture and ways to manage risk locally; Swanson will focus on the overall global ag market and aspects of global risk management at the free seminar. The free event will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Jan. 31 at Courtyard Marriott, 600 E. Esplanade Drive, Oxnard.

Sayer, co-owner of a citrus and avocado ranch outside Santa Paula, will put the global ag issues in context for local landowners, growers, and owners of packing and distribution channels. She will discuss ways to manage legal and business risks such as through diversification of crops, vertical integration of business structure, management and succession planning and business agreements.

“This seminar will help agribusinesses in the county understand global trends in managing risk and specific ways to manage risks locally,” said Sayer, a member of the Business Law Group of A to Z Law.

Lunch will be provided and reservations are strongly recommended, as seating is limited. To RSVP, contact Elsa R. Burton at (805) 987-5731 or elsa.r.burton@wellsfargo.com.

Filed Under: Current Events, News, Real Estate

John Mathews Addresses Leadership Program

January 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This Friday, January 20, 2012, A to Z Law senior partner John Mathews will address the CORO Executive Fellows Program at the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner’s office.  The CORO Executive Fellows Program is a part-time leadership program that works to enhance the skills and empower individuals to affect change in the communities in which they serve.  Those involved in the program represent the leaders from the private sector, such as Kaiser Permanente, North American Business Development, Chrysalis Enterprises, as well as those from the private sector, including elected City Council Members, Regents of the University of California and others.

Joining Mr. Mathews in presenting to CORO are John Krist, CEO of Ventura County Farm Bureau; Ben Faber, Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension; David Schwabauer, Farmer with Leaven’s Ranches; Lynn Maulhardt, Farmer and Chairman of the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency; Chris Sayer, Manager of Petty Ranch, and; Henry Gonzales, Agricultural Commissioner of County of Ventura.  The presenters will discuss the importance of water and agriculture and how it relates to the economy of Ventura County.   The program is being held at the offices of the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner, 669 County Square Drive in Ventura, and begins at 8:00 a.m.  Mr. Mathews will begin his remarks at 10:30 a.m.

John Mathews focuses his practice on serving as a general counsel to private and public individuals and entities that provide water and waste water services.

Filed Under: Current Events, John Mathews, News, Sanitation and Water District Law

Dennis LaRochelle Installed as Treasurer of Statewide Jury Trial Lawyer Association

December 2, 2011 By

At its recent annual conference, members of the California statewide chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, CAL-ABOTA, installed A to Z Law’s Dennis LaRochelle as treasurer, making him the first attorney from Ventura County to hold a statewide office for the organization, and positioning LaRochelle to serve as president in 2015.

With stringent membership requirements that include extensive experience arguing civil matters before juries, ABOTA is one of the most respected and exclusive trial lawyer organizations in the nation, and the California regional chapter is among the largest.

“It’s an honor for me personally, for our firm and for the local tri-counties ABOTA chapter for me to be elected to a statewide office in ABOTA,” said LaRochelle. Historically these positions are held by people from the larger chapters such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. “This is recognition that our tri-counties chapter is an important part of the statewide association.”

ABOTA is a prestigious national association of plaintiff and defense jury trial lawyers with a mission to preserve the right to a jury trial in civil cases and to promote civility within the trial bar. “Trial by jury anchors our right to justice. It’s important that both small and weighty matters are not left to be decided by one person or even a panel of ‘professionals’,” notes LaRochelle. “The people set our society’s standards on what is right and fair. It has been that way for over 200 years now, but not without fighting hard to perserve the right to a jury trial in civil cases.”

His new post will strengthen relationships with the best trial lawyers in the state, giving A to Z Law’s clients top resources statewide if matters arise outside this region.

Filed Under: Current Events, Dennis LaRochelle, News

Robert S. Krimmer helps basketball tournament be a slam dunk

November 15, 2011 By

Ventura Family YMCA recently held its third annual “Take it to the Court” basketball tournament, a joint effort between the YMCA and Ventura County Bar Association’s Barristers section.

The tournament has raised thousands of dollars  in scholarship funds for the YMCA’s Open Doors Program, which provides YMCA memberships to local youth and families in need. Robert S. Krimmer, an associate with A to Z Law’s Environmental and Land Use Practice, originated the tournament concept and continues to play a pivotal role in the tournament’s success.

An athlete and father of two, Krimmer is committed to youth development and the YMCA’s mission. He serves on the Ventura Family YMCA board of managers and is president-elect of the Barristers.

Filed Under: Current Events, Robert S. Krimmer, Sanitation and Water District Law

Associate Stuart Nielson Honored As Top 40 Under 40

November 7, 2011 By

Stuart G. Nielson, an associate in the business law and real estate groups at A to Z Law, was recently recognized as one of the top 40 up-and-coming business leaders under age 40 in Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties by the Pacific Coast Business Times’ 11th Annual 40 Under 40 special report. Nielson was honored for his dedication to his real estate and land use clients and to the nonprofit community.  He received the honor at an awards dinner on Oct. 17 at the Topa Tower Club in Oxnard.

A 2001 graduate of the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, Nielson serves on the Lawyer Referral and Information Service Committee of the Ventura County Bar Association. Nielson has assisted a number of local nonprofit organizations with various projects on a pro bono basis, including the Museum of Ventura County and theVentura Botanical Gardens, which he assisted in finalizing a long-term lease with the City of Ventura to secure a site for the future development of the gardens in Grant Park inVentura. He recently joined the board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme.

Filed Under: Business Law, Current Events, Real Estate, Stuart G. Nielson

A to Z Law Represents Intervenor In Water Case Of Statewide Interest

September 26, 2011 By

A to Z Law is representing Pleasant Valley County Water District, the largest agricultural water retailer in Ventura County, as an intervenor in City of San Buenaventura v. United Water Conservation District. 

Under state law, Pleasant Valley is subject to ground water pumping fees imposed by United Water Conservation District.  Among other regulations, the California Water Code authorizes a pumping charge for industrial and municipal users that is three times higher than that charged for agricultural users.  The City of Ventura filed the action seeking to invalidate those fees on constitutional grounds.

The substance of the City of Ventura’s claim is that United’s groundwater pumping fees violate certain constitutional and statutory limits on rate setting, and the common law of utility rate-making. The outcome of this case will have significant economic impacts on agricultural growers in Ventura County, and is likely to be of statewide interest to California’s agricultural community.

Pleasant Valley is being represented by A to Z Law attorneys Dennis O. LaRochelle and Susan L. McCarthy.

Filed Under: Current Events, Dennis LaRochelle, Events, Litigation, Sanitation and Water District Law, Susan L McCarthy, Uncategorized

A-Z Law Partner Speaks At United Water Conservation District

June 27, 2011 By

A-Z Law Partner John Mathews recently spoke at the meeting of the Board of Directors of the United Water Conservation District regarding Casitas Municipal Water District vs. United States, a court case pending in the United States Court of Federal Claims. Mr. Mathews was asked by the United Board to provide the background and status of the case. Mr. Mathews serves as the General Counsel to the Casitas Municipal Water District.

The issue in the case stems from the diversion of water away from the Robles-Casitas canal and toward a fish ladder constructed by Casitas. The construction of the fish ladder was required under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The central question in the suit is whether the diversion constitutes a regulatory taking — for which no compensation would be given to Casitas — or physical taking that requires compensation to Casitas for the value of the loss of the water. The water, if it were not diverted to the fish ladder, would be diverted into Lake Casitas for uses by the constituents of Casitas.

Mr. Mathews explained to the Board that the judge must first determine whether a physical taking occurred and, if so, what is the value of the loss to Casitas. Casitas and the federal government have each presented different models to calculate the value of the water “loss” by Casitas, if indeed any loss is found to have occurred.

The case is being watched closely by water purveyors throughout the United States. The settling of this constitutional question could affect water districts all over the country. A decision is expected sometime later this year.

Filed Under: Current Events, Events, John Mathews, Sanitation and Water District Law, Uncategorized

A to Z Law Welcomes Dean Hazard

March 7, 2011 By

A to Z Law is pleased to welcome Dean Hazard as an of counsel attorney with the firm.

Mr. Hazard received his Bachelor’s Degree, Cum Laude, from U.C.L.A. in 1978, and his J.D. from U.C.L.A. Law School in 1982.   For nearly 30 years, Mr. Hazard has specialized in the practice areas of personal injury, real estate and business litigation. 

 Mr. Hazard is a past President of the Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association and a past board member of the Ventura County Bar Association.  He is the current chairman of the Client Relations Committee of the Ventura County Bar Association.

Mr. Hazard will continue to focus his practice on civil trials and litigation, with an emphasis in business, real estate and personal injury matters.

Filed Under: Current Events, Litigation, Uncategorized

A to Z Law Addresses Water Issues Committee on AgVision Report

February 14, 2011 By

On January 17, 2010, A to Z Law partner John Mathews and associate Robert Krimmer were invited to address the Water Issues Committee of Ventura County concerning a recent report issue by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (“CDFA”) entitled  “California Agricultural Vision: Strategies for Sustainability” (“AgVision”). The AgVision report was issued by CDFA on December 16, 2010, and can be accessed at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/agvision/.

AgVision sets forth twelve strategies for sustaining California Agriculture. The report represents the culmination of a two-year effort by CDFA to work with agricultural, environmental, and governmental leaders (as well as a diverse range of other stakeholders) to identify obstacles to sustainable agriculture in California. 

The Water Issues Committee of Ventura County is comprised of members of the Associated Water Agencies of Ventura County (“AWA”). AWA’s mission is “to develop and encourage cooperation among the entities for the development, protection, conservation and improvement of the total water resources for Ventura County.”

Filed Under: Current Events, John Mathews, Robert S. Krimmer, Sanitation and Water District Law

A-Z Law Associate Elected Secretary for Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association

October 11, 2010 By

A-Z Law Associate Susan McCarthy has been elected to a one-year term as Secretary for the Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association (“VCTLA”).

VCTLA is an active organization of local trial attorneys, who work with each other and the courts to better the justice system, and the lawyers who serve it. By working with local service clubs, civic organizations and schools, VCTLA furthers public awareness on the civil justice system, and educates the community about matters affecting equal access to justice.

VCTLA is an active supporter of the Constitutional Rights Foundation’s Mock Trial program in Ventura County. The Mock Trial program helps high school students acquire a working knowledge of the judicial system, develop analytical abilities and communication skills, and gain an understanding of their obligations and responsibilities as participating members of our society. By providing an annual donation and encouraging their members to participate as scorers and judges, VCTLA helps teach students about the importance of juries, and other matters affecting equal access to justice.

As Secretary of VCTLA, Susan will play a key role in helping VCTLA carry out these and other activities that promote the mission of the organization. For example, VCTLA regularly interfaces with judges, judicial assistants and the court’s administrative personnel to bring about positive changes to the local civil justice system. Susan will also plan the programs that annually honor outstanding members of the legal profession in Ventura County. The annual Trial Lawyer of the Year award recognizes outstanding civil trial achievements and high ethical standards by a trial attorney, and the Judge of the Year award recognizes exceptional judicial performance, balanced with courtesy and compassion toward litigants and attorneys in the courtroom.

A-Z Law is proud to congratulate Susan’s achievements in this worthy organization. Her election as Secretary to VCTLA marks her recognition among her peers, and her commitment to serve the Ventura County legal community.

Filed Under: Current Events, Litigation, Susan L McCarthy
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