Adriana R. Ochoa

Partner

San Diego

Services

Biography

Adriana R. Ochoa serves as a partner at the firm, advising private clients and public agencies, including healthcare districts and water and wastewater authorities, on public law issues including governance, operations and acquisition of public services. She has experience in the Ralph M. Brown Act, California Public Records Act, Political Reform Act, Government Code 1090, California Voting Rights Act, Proposition 218, Proposition 26, the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000, the California Water Recycling Act of 1991, public works contracting, operational and business matters, and litigation.

Adriana frequently provides counsel to joint powers authorities, particularly those established for the acquisition, construction, and management of wastewater treatment, water recycling, and resource recovery initiatives. She also advises local agency self-insurance authorities on structural, organizational, and operational issues. With a strong background in establishing and implementing new sewer and sanitation districts, she assists existing districts with matters related to spheres of influence, consolidation, boundary changes, and other issues pertaining to LAFCO. Adriana is adept at managing various litigation matters, including construction disputes, contract issues, Brown Act and Government Claims Act litigation, Elections Code and Public Records Act lawsuits, Proposition 218 cases, and eminent domain litigation for both public agencies and private property owners, as well as administrative hearings for public entities.

Additionally, she represents private clients, such as developers, contractors, healthcare entities, property owners, and companies, in disputes involving the acquisition of water, wastewater, and recycled water services, along with construction, contracting, and negotiations opposite special districts, and litigation.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

California

Education

University of San Diego School of Law (J.D.)
Stanford University (B.A., International Relations)

Languages

Italian
Spanish

Experience

Awards & Recognition

Best Lawyers®, Municipal Law (2023-Present)
Latino Leader of Influence, San Diego Business Journal (2023)
Rising Stars, Super Lawyers® Education Law (2015-2022)
Leader of Influence in the Law, San Diego Business Journal (2022)
Women of Influence in the Law, San Diego Business Journal (2021)
Pro Bono Publico Award, Casa Cornelia (2013)
Wiley W. Manuel Award (Pro Bono), State Bar of California (2012)

Previous Professional Experience

Procopio, Partner

Professional Memberships and Activities

San Diego County Bar Association
San Diego Lawyer’s Club
American Inns of Court
- Louis M. Welsh Chapter
American Bar Association
The California Association of Sanitation Agencies
- Attorneys Committee
  - Chair (2021-2023)
  - Vice-Chair (2018-2020)
San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association
- Madrina Member
- Scholarship Fund Board of Directors
  - President (2014-2017)
LEAD San Diego (2013)

Community Involvement

Hans and Margaret Doe Charitable Trust
- Trustee

Representative Presentations and Publications

“How to Social Media: A Guide for Public Agencies and Schools,” Presenter, Webinar (February 21, 2024)
“Identifying Red Flags for California Public Agencies,” Presenter, California Society of Healthcare Attorneys (May 7, 2023)
“Supporting Anti-Racist Work Environments at Charter Schools and Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession,” Co-Presenter, CCSA Attorney Network Meeting (November 18, 2021)
“Ideas on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Practices for Your Organization,” Panelist, San Diego County Bar Association Webinar (June 14, 2021)
“Pressures of the Practice: How to Persevere as a Working Mother,” Panelist, Latinas in the Law of San Diego (May 13, 2021)
“Creating an Anti-Racist Workplace While Preventing Employment Liability,” Co-Presenter, 2021 California Charter Schools Virtual Conference (March 19, 2021)
“Conflicts of Interest: Beyond the Basics,” Co-Presenter, 2021 California Charter Schools Virtual Conference (March 18, 2021)
“Tips for Fostering Anti-Racist Work Environment at Public Agencies & Elimination of Bias in the Legal Profession,” Presenter, California Association of Sanitation Agencies Attorneys’ Committee (February 5, 2021)
“Tips for Building an Anti-Racist Workplace While Preventing Employment Liability in the Age of #BlackLivesMatter,” Co-Presenter (June 23, 2020)
“Conflicts of Interest: Beyond the Basics,” Co-Presenter, The 25th Annual California Charter Schools (CCSA) Conference, San Diego, CA (March 27, 2018)
“Conflicts of Interest (Beyond the Basics),” Co-Presenter, The 24th Annual California Charter Schools Conference, Sacramento, CA (March 22, 2017)
“Survival 101: Successful Renewal Strategies and How to Handle Revocation,” Panelist, The 22nd Annual California Charter Schools Conference, Sacramento, CA (March 18, 2015)
“Running Your School in the Public Eye: Brown Act Basics and Public Records,” Co-Presenter, The 22^nd Annual California Charter Schools Conference, Sacramento, CA (March 17, 2015)

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