Public Entities
Porter Scott understands that the environment in which public entities function is constantly changing and that their involvement in litigation raises issues beyond the particular lawsuit. We appreciate the public trust bestowed on us as representatives of public agencies. With those principles in mind, we have handled thousands of matters involving public entity liability. Everything from dangerous condition claims, to contract disputes, to employment matters, to constitutional actions. Because of that, our public agency clients, and the communities they represent, get superior representation and advice.
Our Public Entities Unit’s Areas of Expertise
ADA accessibility compliance
Anti-SLAPP
Child Protective Services
Civil rights claims
Constitutional claims
Contract disputes
Dangerous condition of public property
Defamation, false light, invasion of privacy
Employment
Land use matters
Police liability, including false arrest, excessive force, search and pursuit issues
Attorneys
Case Victories
Congratulations to shareholders CJ Ninke and Carl Fessenden on a defense verdict in a paramedic malpractice case in Sacramento County. Read more about this case.
Associate Alison Southard successfully defended the County of Tuolumne in a lawsuit alleging the County did not adequately enforce environmental laws… Read more about this case.
Festival attendee alleged that Cal Expo’s policy violated the First Amendment of the US Constitution and Free Speech Clause of the California Constitution. Read more about this case.
A police officer had brought a First Amendment claim pursuant to 42 Section 1983 claim alleging the county retaliated against her for her private text messages. Read more about this case.
Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of the County of Sonoma in the Federal Court for the Northern District of California (San Francisco Division) after the decedent ingested illegal narcotics inside the county jail. Read more about this case.
The Eastern District of California granted summary judgement in favor of the County Defendants regarding a 42 U.S.C. § 1983 claim involving the failure to administer medical care at the scene of a shooting. Read more about this case.
Shareholder Matt Gross successfully affirmed a summary judgment ruling for the County of Nevada in the Third District Court of Appeal. In a recent published decision, Rhonna Tindall v. County of Nevada (2025). Read more about this case.
Shareholder Will Camy and Associate Megan Boelter recently obtained a defense verdict on behalf of the City of Roseville. The City’s garbage truck reversed into Plaintiff’s vehicle. Read more about this case.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of the County of Tehama in an equal protection civil rights case brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Read more about this case.
Associate Matt Gross successfully affirmed a summary judgment ruling for the County of Inyo and City of Los Angeles in the Fourth District Court of Appeal. In a recent published decision, Brady Helm v. City of Los Angeles…Read more about this case.
Associate Alison Southard and Shareholder David Norton successfully defended the County of Butte, the Sheriff, and two deputies in a federal civil rights action alleging an inmate…Read more about this case.
Associate Alison Southard and Shareholder Will Camy successfully defended the County of Butte in a federal civil rights action alleging an inmate received inadequate medical care…Read more about this case.
Associate Alison Southard and Shareholder William Camy successfully defended the County of Sacramento against a lawsuit alleging causes of action for fraud and negligence against the County and three County employees…Read more about this case.
Shareholder Will Camy and Senior Associate Matt Gross successfully defended a local municipality and its correctional deputies, prevailing on a Motion for Summary Judgment…Read more about this case.
David Norton successfully defended a challenge to a County of Tehama ordinance that bans the outdoor cultivation of marijuana. The petitioner, a medical marijuana patient association…Read more about this case.
Firm obtained a defense verdict for the County of Nevada in a retaliation case. Plaintiffs, husband and wife, sued the Sheriff’s Department for violation of the Fair Employment and Housing Act. Read more about this case.
Successfully brought a Demurrer resulting in dismissal of entire action on behalf of County Sheriff’s Department on the basis of Eleventh Amendment Immunity. Read more about this case.
The court sustained the demurrer to plaintiff’s first amended complaint without leave to amend filed by David A. Melton and Lauren Bakke…Read more about this case.
Successfully brought a Motion to Dismiss for failure to state a claim under the Bane Act on behalf of Department of Health and Human Services and Child Protective Services for alleged failure to remove a child. Read more about this case.
Crime Justice & America (CJA) sued Butte County because the Sheriff would not allow physical distribution of its free publication giving general legal advice to inmates in jail. Read more about this case.
Successfully defended two counties in the Third District Court of Appeal in a lawsuit challenging the fees charged by Clerk-Recorder Offices for Official Record Copies under Government Code Section 27366. Read more about this case.
On behalf of a local school district, defended the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance before the Eastern District, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. The plaintiff alleged that the recitation of the words “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance violated the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution.
Summary judgment granted in the Eastern District on behalf of entity and police officer in pursuit case that alleged the death of the suspect was a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment. Read more about this case.
Obtained summary judgment in favor of the City of Roseville on an indemnity claim by the Galleria arising from a fire at the mall that destroyed the mall and allegations that a sprinkler suppression system was turned off at the direction of the City.
Achieved a defense verdict in a catastrophic injury case filed against a major public university. Read more about this case.
Defense verdict in favor of police officers and city in a claim for excessive use of force where the officers applied a carotid hold resulting in death of suspect while in custody.
Obtained summary judgment in favor of the City of Roseville in a dangerous conditions claim involving a vehicle versus pedestrian accident, including allegations of insufficient visibility.
Obtained summary judgment in favor of the City of Folsom based upon the defense of primary assumption of risk when a cyclist crashed while riding in a paceline after crossing a defect in the bike lane.
Demurrer sustained without leave to amend in favor of the City of Marysville on a dangerous conditions claim premised on inadequate street lighting at an intersection.
Defense verdict in favor of municipality against claims of excessive force and deliberate indifference to plaintiff’s medical needs against a police officer and his law enforcement employer. Read more about this case.
