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Au Revoir, City Attorney

The Daily Journal did a quick little blurb on B'game city attorney Kathleen Kane moving on to a new role with MTC-ABAG.  I want to add some context since many people do not realize how important the city attorney is to city operations.  The city council and staff are constantly faced with decisions that have legal implications and municipal law is perhaps more convoluted than "regular" law.  I'm not an attorney–that is just my observation from interacting with past attorneys Larry Anderson and Gus Guinan as well as a little with Kathleen Kane.  Having a steady hand in the attorney's chair is key to balancing lawyers' predisposition towards protectiveness and not going overboard with too much care.

We have benefited from seven years of Kathleen's experience.  As she departs, I hope that having spent so much time guiding our city council in trying to implement some of ABAG's overly aggressive development ideas without ruining our quality of life will allow her to guide ABAG to a better understanding.  She's had a good run here and I wish her well.

KKane departure

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4 responses to “Au Revoir, City Attorney”

  1. hollyroller@gmail.com

    With the large amount of lawsuits coming down the pipe, (Washington Park Deaths) it is a good time to exit.
    I feel very bad for the Dead, and injured people. I have seen a few large limbs fall off that tree in the past.
    Nature is always unpredictable.
    Bless those poor people and their Family’s.

  2. Bruce Dickinson

    In Bruce Dickinson’s (and my sources’) humble view, she seemed to render very pro-development opinions and feared developers suing the City.
    No surprise that ABAG is her next move and don’t count on her pushing back against their agenda–instead expect her to fully implement it. Burlingame might well end up being her adversary.
    Hoping for a replacement that views the Council and the people of Burlingame as more of a “customer”.

  3. Joe

    Michael Guina has arrived recently as the new city attorney. I asked him for a bit of background on himself—here it is:
    Prior to coming to the City of Burlingame, I was with the City of Emeryville, where I served as the Deputy, Assistant, and finally the City Attorney. I was the Emeryville City Attorney from 2015-2021.
    In addition, I was a partner with the firm of Burke, Williams, and Sorensen for approximately 2 years.
    As City Attorney, I advise all City departments, and I have particular experience in the areas of land use, real estate transactions, contracting, and environmental law. I also advise on open government laws such as the Brown Act and the Public Records Act, as well as conflicts of interest.
    I received my Bachelor’s Degree from UC Berkeley, and my JD from the University of San Francisco School of Law. I’m honored that the Burlingame City Council has chosen me as its City Attorney, and I’m very excited to be part of the City team.
    ————–
    Welcome aboard, Michael. I hope your background will buttress our past land use decisions and guide our future ones well.

  4. Paloma Ave

    Hi Michael,
    Welcome to Burlingame! I have lived here since 1981. I am hopeful that you will support OUR Burlingame council being in charge of local zoning laws.
    After all, in my 65 years, this is the best place I have ever lived!

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