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A to Z Law Attorneys Present Free Legal Seminars

October 8, 2011 By

Arnold Bleuel LaRochelle Mathews and Zirbel LLP and the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to present a series of legal seminars this Fall.

On October 13 at 8:00 a.m., A to Z Law partner Kendall A. VanConas will present “Legal Preparation for Aging and Incapacity:  The Fundamentals of Estate Planning.”  Designed as an introduction to estate planning, the seminar will cover trusts, wills, powers of attorney for asset management, and advance health care directives.  Ms. VanConas will discuss how the different ways of holding title to property can affect an estate plan, and will also give an update about current changes in the estate tax laws.

Ms. VanConas received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, her law degree from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, and her master’s degree in taxation from Golden Gate University.  She is active with the Ventura County Bar Association, serving as President in 2010, and probate and estate planning section chair from 2007-2009.  She is also a member of the Trusts & Estates Section of the California State Bar, and a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization.

In November, Melissa Sayer will present  ”Think Twice Before You Act-Responsibilities of Owners and Officers in Small Businesses and Non-Profits,”  where she will discuss how the current economic environment has drastically increased claims for breach of fiduciary duty among business owners.  More information on that seminar will follow.

The seminars are conducted at the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce, 200 N. Tenth Street in Santa Paula.  For more information, or to RSVP, call 525-5561 or 689-2229.

Filed Under: Estate Planning, Events, Kendall VanConas, Probate and Estate Planning, Uncategorized

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