Richard D. Pio Roda

Richard D. Pio RodaPrincipal510.808.2000EmailBio PDF

Overview

Richard D. Pio Roda is a skilled and experienced strategic advisor and transactional attorney specializing in the areas of municipal and special district law, general outside corporate counsel, technology transactions, land use, real estate, education law and contracts and procurement for government agencies and corporate, non-profit, and healthcare entities throughout California. He is the Chair of the Municipal and Special District Law Practice Group at Meyers Nave.

Public Law Expertise

Richard is the City Attorney for the City of San Leandro, Interim Assistant City Attorney for the City of Newark and serves as General Counsel to special districts and public agencies throughout California. In addition to providing transactional legal services, Richard advises chief executives, city councils, boards of directors, commissioners, councilmembers and staff on the variety of issues they encounter on a day to day basis. He also routinely advises on risk mitigation strategies and litigation management.

Prior to joining Meyers Nave, Richard was a Deputy General Counsel for the San Francisco Unified School District. He advised the District’s Facilities, Business, and Operations Departments in school construction, real estate, public contracting, technology transactions, and transportation.

General Outside Corporate Counsel

Richard enjoys serving as general outside corporate counsel for a variety of privately held companies, including companies in the technology, healthcare, education, and nonprofit sectors. In this capacity, he works closely with the senior management teams of such clients, focusing on board and investor relationship issues and strategic relationship issues with vendors and customers. Richard’s background in accounting is of great value in understanding his clients’ businesses and working with senior management in helping them accomplish their business goals in as efficient and effective a manner as possible. Richard directly assists his clients with corporate governance issues, contracting and fundamental business transactions. He also takes responsibility for managing the client’s use of the other full-service resources of the firm, including identifying the right resources in the litigation, employment and other specialty practice groups to most effectively meet each client’s needs.

Richard is frequently requested as a trainer and speaker on corporate and government ethics, conflicts of interest, public contracting and technology transactions.

Richard was appointed by the Honorable Mayor Ed Lee to the City and County of San Francisco Human Rights Commission, a Charter Commission charged with vetting, reviewing and recommending policies related to human rights, anti-discrimination, and equity. Richard served on the Commission from 2012 to 2017. During his tenure on the Human Rights Commission, Richard was involved in numerous projects and policy working groups, including the Local Business Enterprise Advisory Committee and the Benefit Corporation ordinance working group. Richard also served on various non-profit boards, including Safe & Sound (formerly the San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center).

Richard is a professional auctioneer and fundraising consultant for various organizations, charities, foundations, and nonprofits throughout the world. These include the Tokyo-English Life Line, the Lupus Foundation of Northern California, Safe & Sound (San Francisco), Winesong (benefiting the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation), and Nimbus Arts.

Representative Experience

City Attorney Services:

City Attorney for the City of San Leandro (2012-current)
Interim Assistant City Attorney for the City of Newark (2019-current)
Assistant City Attorney for the City of Milpitas (2004-2007)
Assistant City Attorney for the City of Oakley (2004-2007)

General Outside Corporate Counsel

Outside General Counsel for a large social enterprise non-profit assisting with negotiations and drafting of contracts with vendors, consultants, and strategic partners; real estate and land use advice; labor and employment issues including workplace investigations of complaints; legal advice for implementation of strategic initiatives including various corporate governance issues, operations, and litigation.
Representation of an artificial intelligence software provider in the retail sales sector, including the negotiation of the sale and implementation of the company’s software for deployment in a large scale retail and wholesale company’s business operations.
Representation of an education curriculum development company on general corporate governance, business development initiatives, and the drafting and development of a scope of work for the multi-million dollar sale of the company’s products to a large public school district.
Advised upon and prepared documents for an international technology hardware manufacturer to form its non-profit foundation.

Construction and Procurement

Advised and prepared the project specifications for Alameda County and the Alameda County Redevelopment Agency for the design-build construction of the Ashland Youth Center ($14,000,000 project budget; 2010-2013)
Provided legal advice to staff and construction manager regarding design-build project specifications for SFUSD’s new Willie L. Brown, Jr. Middle School ($55,000,000 project budget; 2013-2015).
Guided the City of Milpitas through architect and contractor bidding, approval, and contract process; created and edited contractor pre-qualification program for new main library ($35,000,000 project budget)
Advised the City of San Leandro on specification preparation, construction, and close-out of a $46,000,000 project to modernize and upgrade the City’s water pollution control plant, the largest capital project in the City’s history.
Advised a national construction management firm on the negotiations for its construction program management contract with a large Southern California (approximately 26,000 students) unified school district.

Public-Private Partnerships

Assisted the City of San Leandro with a public-private partnership that created a fiber optics network providing ultra-high-speed Internet connections that the City uses to attract and support data-intensive and high-tech businesses. Representation included negotiations, financing, contracting, procurement (including a comprehensive range of information technology services) and right-of-way issues for an arrangement in which the City provided 20 miles of underground conduit and the private partner funded installation of the fiber optics cable and routing capabilities.

General Counsel Services

General Counsel, Twain Harte Community Services District (2019-current)
General Counsel, Goodwill of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin Counties, Inc. (2018-current)
General Counsel, Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District (2010-current)
General Counsel, Mendocino County Community Development Commission (2010-current)
General Counsel, City of San Leandro Board of Zoning Adjustments and Planning Commission (2008-2012)
General Counsel, San Francisco Unified School District Bond Oversight Committee (2003–2004; 2007–2015)
General Counsel, City of Oakley Planning Commission (2004–2007)
General Counsel, City of Milpitas Planning Commission (2004–2007)
General Counsel, Joint City and County of San Francisco and San Francisco Unified School District Special Committee (2002–2004)
General Counsel, San Francisco Board of Education Buildings & Grounds Committee (2002–2004)
General Counsel, San Francisco Board of Education Budget & Finance Committee (2002–2004)

Information Technology Procurement and Services Agreements

Reviewed and negotiated various SAAS, and IAAS agreements on behalf of the City of San Leandro, City of Milpitas, and the San Francisco Unified School District for various software and infrastructure improvements, including large scale implementation of telecommunication systems, data retention and storage for public records, and GIS systems, just to name a few.
Assisted the City of San Leandro with applying for, winning, and negotiating a United States Department of Commerce Economic Development Agency grant to expand the City’s technology infrastructure to expand its fiber-optic loop to over 11 miles. This expansion allowed the City to construct more than 11 miles of conduit to connect City streetlight infrastructure to the City’s proprietary traffic control systems, and allowed space to the City’s private partner to install additional fiber optics to enable ultra-high speed Internet to property and business owners in the City’s industrial areas.
Negotiated an IAAS contract with an equipment vendor to provide free wifi in the City of San Leandro’s downtown area.
Negotiated combination SAAS and IAAS contracts for the San Leandro Police Department to upgrade the Department’s dispatch system, and in-vehicle information systems to upgrade a critical communications’ systems capabilities.
Negotiated combination SAAS and IAAS contract for the City of San Leandro’s IT Department to update and upgrade the City’s City Council meeting television and Internet capabilities. This procurement updated the City Council’s Chambers to allow for better Internet recording and television broadcasting capabilities. We advised the City on the use of PEG funds to pay for these critical system upgrades to comply with new State laws.
Assisted City of San Leandro staff with negotiations involving Microsoft and its third party vendor to update the City’s networking and storage capabilities to go from earlier versions of Microsoft’s enterprise software to Microsoft 360 and its cloud computing and storage capabilities.
Assisted City of San Leandro staff with the negotiations of a Citywide energy efficiency contract with Climatech to install LED streetlights, new HVAC controls in all public buildings, and solar energy capabilities at the City’s water pollution control plant.
Assisted Goodwill of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin to negotiate several SaaS and data sharing agreements related to workforce development training software, workforce outcomes tracking, and a partnership with TaskRabbit™ that permits taskers to pick-up and take donations to Goodwill sites.

Presentations and Publications

Presenter, “By the People, For the People: Local Government for Immigrant and Minority Communities,” National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Annual Conference, November 4, 2022
Presenter, “Homelessness: What Special Districts Need to Know and What Can They Do,” August 24, 2022
Presenter, “Ethics Compliance Training – AB1234,” California Special Districts Association, August 23, 2022
Presenter, “Public Contracting Requirements: Emergency Preparedness and Federal and State Reimbursement,” California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, August 2021
Presenter, “Public Contracting Requirements: Emergency Preparedness and Federal and State Reimbursement,” League of California Cities’ Public Works Officers Institute, March 2021
Presenter, “Dos and Don’ts: Initiative Campaigning,” California Special Districts Association webinar, March 2021
Author, “Top 10 Compliance Questions from Special District Board Secretaries and Clerks,” Meyers Nave Client Alert, November 2020
Presenter, “Required Ethics Compliance Training – AB1234,” California Special Districts Association webinar, November 2020
Presenter, “Staying in Compliance: Understanding Fundamental Special District Laws,” California Special Districts Association Virtual Board Secretary/Clerk Conference, October 2020
Presenter, “IT Equipment and Services Agreements: Contractual Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them,” County Counsels’ Association Fall Public Works & Contracts Conference, October 2020
Presenter, “Public Works Liabilities for Catastrophic Disasters,” County Counsels’ Association Fall Public Works & Contracts Conference, October 2020
Presenter, “Board Member Do’s and Don’ts: Compensation and Conflicts of Interest,” California Special Districts Association Leadership Academy, September 2020 (cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic)
Presenter, “SB 54: Compliance, Litigation and Community Relations,” Alameda County Bar Association Public Entity Law Section MCLE seminar, June 2020
Presenter, “SB 54: Compliance, Litigation and Community Relations,” California Lawyers Association – Public Law Section, MCLE seminar, May 2020
Presenter, “SB 54: Compliance, Litigation and Community Relations,” Bar Association of San Francisco Litigation Section MCLE seminar, May 2020
Presenter, “SB 54: Compliance, Litigation and Community Relations,” Sacramento County Bar Association Public Law Section MCLE seminar, May 2020 (postponed due to coronavirus pandemic)
Presenter, “SB 54: Compliance, Litigation and Community Relations,” San Diego County Bar Association Government Law Section MCLE webinar, April 2020 (postponed due to coronavirus pandemic)
Presenter, “Newsom Issues Three COVID-19 Brown Act Orders: Here’s What He Urgently Changed,” Meyers Nave webinar, March 2020
Author, “Newsom Issues Three COVID-19 Brown Act Orders: Here’s What He Urgently Changed,” Meyers Nave Client Alert, March 26, 2020
Presenter, “Public Service Ethics – AB1234,” California Special Districts Association webinar, March 2020
Author, “SB 978 Requires Law Enforcement Agencies to Publish Standards, Policies and Practices Online,” Meyers Nave Client Alert, December 2019
Author, “Understanding Special District Board Member Compensation,” White Paper published by the California Special Districts Association, October 2019
Presenter, “Local Bans, Deliveries and Consumption Lounges – Topics in Local Cannabis Zoning Laws and Regulations,” Cannabis World Congress & Business Expo, 2019
Author, “Conflict of Interest Law Update: FPPC Fines School Director $12K and Sends Case to DA’s Office,” Meyers Nave Client Alert, August 2019
Presenter, “Required Ethics AB1234 Compliance Training,” California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, 2019
Presenter, “Navigating and Implementing SaaS Agreements,” California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, 2019
Author, “Practical Tips for Negotiating Today’s Complex IT Services Contracts,” California Special Districts magazine, Jan-Feb 2019
Presenter, “IT Equipment and Services Agreements: Contractual Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them,” City Attorneys Association of San Diego Spring Retreat, 2019
Presenter, “How California Cities and Counties are Addressing Homelessness: Solutions and Insights,” Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area, 2019
Presenter, “Required Ethics AB1234 Compliance Training,” California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, 2018
Presenter, “Best Practices for Recruiting, Hiring, Negotiating, and Evaluating the Board’s General Manager,” California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, 2018
Presenter, “IT Equipment and Services Agreements: Contractual Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them,” Meyers Nave webinar, 2018
Presenter, “Understanding the Brown Act,” California Special Districts Association Workshop, 2017
Presenter, “Impact of Marijuana Laws on Communities of Color,” Asian American Bar Association Public Law/Public Service Committee, 2017
Presenter, “Ethics AB 1234 Compliance Training,” California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, 2017
Presenter, “The Empty Chair: Board Vacancies and Appointments ,” California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, 2017
Presenter, “Recent Developments in the Laws that Affect Government Agency Communications,” University of San Francisco School of Law CLE program, 2017
Author, “Think Locally: Working with Local Government Agencies is Critical to the Success of your Cannabis Business,” MG magazine, July 2017
Author, “Ask the Experts: Do’s and Don’ts for Initiative Campaigns,” California Special District magazine, Jan/Feb 2017
Author, “Do’s and Don’ts for Initiative Campaigns,” California Special Districts Association’s Board Secretary/Clerk Conference, 2016
Presenter, “Uh-Oh! How to Steer the Ship Back to Safety in Emergency Situations,” California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, 2016
Presenter, “State Mandated AB 1234 Ethics Training,” California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, 2016
Presenter, “Ethics AB 1234 Compliance Training,” California Special Districts Association On-Demand webinar, 2016
Presenter, “The Brown Act and Rules of Procedure and Decorum,” City of San Leandro – Youth in Government Day, 2016
Presenter, “Conducting Effective General Manager Evaluations,” California Special Districts Association Special District Leadership Academy, 2016
Presenter, “Board Member Compensation: What’s OK and What’s Out of the Norm?” California Special Districts Association Special District Leadership Academy, 2016
Presenter, “What You Need to Know About Public Records and Open Meetings,” Lorman Educational Services, 2016
Presenter, “Lit San Leandro – Lessons Learned from a Unique Fiber Optics Public-Private Partnership,” County Counsels’ Association of California Public Works and Contracts Fall Conference, 2015
Presenter, “Alternative Delivery Methods for Public Works Projects,” The Seminar Group, Annual California Construction Law Program, 2015
Presenter, “Public Contracts Overview and Update On Recent Legislation,” American Public Works Association Annual Conference, 2015
Presenter, “Uh-Oh! How to Steer the Ship Back to Safety in Emergency Situations,” California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, 2015
Presenter, “Required Ethics AB 1234 Compliance Training, Parts I and II,” California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, 2015
Presenter, “How to Lead Without Breaking the Rules,” California Council of School Attorneys, 2014
Presenter, “Bid Protests and the Impact of Recent Legislation,” American Public Works Association Annual Conference, 2014
Presenter, “How to Obtain, Engage and Effectively Use Your General and/or Special Counsel,” California Special Districts Association Annual Conference, 2014
Presenter, “Public Contracts and Procurement Regulations,” Lorman Educational Services, 2013
Presenter, “The Privileges and Perils of a Prequalification Program,” American Public Works Association Annual Conference, 2013
Presenter, “What You Need to Know About Public Records and Open Meetings,” Lorman Educational Services, 2013, 2016
Moderator, “Don’t Get Stuck in the Middle: Properly Handling Stop Payment Notices, A to Z,” California’s Coalition for Adequate School Housing Annual Conference, Roundtable Discussion, 2013
Presenter, “Protecting Schools in an Environment of Changing State Policy, Case Law and Legislation: Handling Bid Protests,” California’s Coalition for Adequate School Housing, Sacramento and Ontario Sessions, 2012
Presenter, “Serenity Among the Chaos: How to Deftly Handle Bid Protests,” Coalition for Adequate School Housing Annual Conference, Roundtable Discussion, 2012
Moderator, “Prevailing Wage Monitoring Compliance and Preparation for Hearing Before the Department of Industrial Relations,” Coalition for Adequate School Housing Annual Conference, Roundtable Discussion, 2012
Presenter, “Government Ethics and Conflicts of Interest in Purchasing,” California Association of Public Purchasing Officers Annual Conference, 2012
Presenter, “California Public Bidding and Contracting Laws,” Lorman Educational Services, 2012
Presenter, “Public Meetings – Seminar on the Brown Act, Public Records Act and the Political Reform Act,” Educational Services, 2012
Moderator, Roundtable discussion on debarment and pre-qualification programs, Coalition for Adequate School Housing Annual Conference
Presenter, AB 1234 ethics and conflicts of interest training, Napa County Office of Education
Presenter, AB 1234 ethics and conflicts of interest training, City of South San Francisco
Presenter, AB 1234 ethics and conflicts of interest training, City of San Leandro
Presenter, AB 1234 ethics and conflicts of interest training, Town of Los Altos Hills
Presenter, AB 1234 ethics and conflicts of interest training, California Special Districts Association

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Richard D. Pio Roda

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