Overview

Kristopher Kokotaylo is an experienced municipal and special district law attorney that currently serves as City Attorney for the City of Newark and the City of Union City, Senior Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Leandro, District Counsel for the Stege Sanitary District and General Counsel for the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee.  Kris has a deep understanding of the complex factors that go into governmental, legislative and regulatory decision-making and takes a practical approach to addressing the various and unique circumstances that face the agencies that he represents.  This allows Kris to effectively and efficiently advise agency executives, staff, city councils, boards of directors, and commissioners on the variety of issues that they encounter daily.

Kris focuses his practice on public law matters related to land use, real estate, construction, constitutional law, code enforcement, the Public Records Act, the Brown Act, election law, campaign finance and ethics. He provides advice on daily operations issues as well as public policy development and long-term planning matters.

Kris also advises on novel issues facing municipalities and special districts and assists his clients with updating their policies and procedures in response to frequent changes in the law.  He has significant experience in elections and conflict of interest laws, and has prepared several ballot measures for local taxes as well as advised local agencies regarding the process and procedure for updating and adopting charges and fees for providing services and establishing development impact fees in compliance with Propositions 13, 62, 218, and 26.  Kris has authored numerous publications and is frequently requested to speak on topics including public records, ethics, open meeting laws, and the regulatory and privacy issues regarding drones.

At Meyers Nave, Kris serves as a Member of the firm’s Diversity Committee.  He also serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Spectrum Community Services, a non-profit organization that offers a wide variety of community programs and services related to senior meals/meals on wheels, fall prevention, and low-income energy assistance to assist low-income and disadvantaged individuals, families and seniors in their efforts to live independently.

Before joining Meyers Nave, Kris worked on policy issues for Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley.  He also served as a graduate law clerk and External Bridge Fellowship Attorney for the Alameda County Office of the County Counsel.  These experiences have given Kris the background to undertake a range of matters, from routine to highly complex, in a concise and reliable manner.

While in law school, Kris was a member of the Thurston Honor Society and competed as a member of the Hastings Moot Court Intercollegiate Competition Team. Kris has also volunteered as an alumni coach for Hastings Moot Court.