Session Four – Topic: Understanding the Legal Process: Working with the Attorney and Clerk
Friday, April 19, 2024
Location:
League of Arizona Cities and Towns
1820 West Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ 85007
Agenda
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. | Networking - Light breakfast will be provided (coffee, pastries, etc.)
9:30 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. | Welcome - Understanding the Legal Framework and Structure in Your Role as a Manager
Panel/Speaker(s):
Nancy Davidson, General Counsel, League of Arizona Cities and Towns
Nancy Davidson – Bio
Nancy Davidson serves as General Counsel to the League of Arizona Cities and Towns. She began her legal career at a nonpartisan institute dedicated to the advanced study of constitutional law and policy. She then worked in private practice, representing various municipalities and special districts in Central Arizona. Prior to joining the League, Nancy served as an inhouse attorney for the Town of Gilbert where she advised on a wide range of matters, such as zoning, land use, and contracts.
Presentation:
Presentation
Documents:
Executive Sessions Statute
ICMA sample agreement manager city population above 10K below 25K
Legal Framework Big Picture Concepts
Sample Code Provision Regarding Manager
Recommended Book
10:40 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Break
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | How to Work With Your City/Town Clerk
Panel/Speaker(s):
Cris Meyer, Former Clerk and Attorney, Phoenix
Lisa Garcia, Clerk/Deputy Manager, Florence, President of IIMC
Cris Meyer – Bio
Cris Meyer retired as the City Attorney for the City of Phoenix in November of 2022 after 37 years of public service with the City of Phoenix, State of Arizona, and federal court.
He was appointed City Attorney in January 2019 to manage the Law Department with more than 90 attorneys and 220 staff. As City Attorney, he was the primary legal advisor to the Mayor and City Council, city executive management and all city departments. He also managed all civil litigation involving the City, as well as the City Prosecutor’s Office which handles over 30,000 misdemeanor cases annually.
Before joining the Law Department, he served as the Phoenix City Clerk for 8 years, after 14 years as the Assistant Director and a Deputy Director. He began his career with the City in 1985 in the Elections Division of the City Clerk Department and was involved in the administration of more than 50 city elections. Cris developed and implemented numerous efficiencies and innovations to the election process, including Arizona’s first early voting program and permanent early voting list for Phoenix in 1996, and the first use of voting centers in Arizona in 2011.
Cris also served as a Law Clerk to a Judge in the United States District Court for Arizona for 3 years, and an Assistant Attorney General for Arizona for four years.
He has presented on topics related to elections and municipal law and administration for numerous organizations including the Arizona Municipal Clerks and City Attorneys Associations, the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, the State Bar, and the Secretary of State’s Office. He conducted Campaign Finance training sessions for city clerks and attorneys in Arizona annually for more than 20 years.
Cris received his law degree from the University of Illinois and attended Arizona State University College of Law for a semester as a visiting student. He is admitted to the Bar in Arizona and Illinois. He received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wheaton College in Illinois.
Lisa Garcia – Bio
Lisa Garcia began her journey in the municipal clerk profession with the Town of Florence in 1994 as a Deputy Clerk. She was appointed Town Clerk in 1996 and Town Clerk/Deputy Town Manager in 2007. She continues in that capacity, leading the Clerk’s Office while also managing the Finance, Human Resources, and Information Technology Departments. Lisa served on the Arizona Municipal Clerks Association (AMCA) board from 2009-2016, serving as its President from 2012 to 2015. Lisa served International Institute of Municipal Clerk Region VIII Director from 2019-2022. Lisa was elected to the IIMC Executive Committee in 2022 and currently serves as President Elect. Ms. Garcia achieved the status of Master Municipal Clerk in 2007. She has a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration. She also has a Certificate in Public Policy and Management from University of Arizona.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch (provided)
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Working with the City/Town/County Attorney: Stories from the Trenches
Panel/Speaker(s):
Andrew Ching, Town Manager, Paradise Valley
Chris Keller, Chief Civil Attorney, Pinal County
William J. Sims III, Attorney, Sims Mackin, Ltd.
Andrew Ching – Bio
Andrew Ching is the Town Manager for the Town of Paradise Valley, a position he has held since June 2023. He served as City Manager of Tempe from 2013 until leaving for Paradise Valley last year. Before that, he was Tempe’s City Attorney from 2006 to 2013, served as a trial prosecutor for the City of Mesa, and as an associate in a local law firm, primarily representing Arizona cities and towns in land use litigation.
Ching is an Arizona native, born in Tucson and raised in Tempe. He has been a Valley resident for nearly 50 years. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in 1991 and earned a law degree from Arizona State University in 1994.
Chris Keller – Bio
Professional Experience
Pinal County Attorney’s Office
Deputy Chief Civil Division (January 2013 – Present)
Oversee Civil Division staff and provide legal advice to all county elected and appointed officials, work with county senior management, attend public meetings and executive sessions, draft/review contracts, manage county litigation, risk management issues, outside counsel and advise special districts such as Public Health and Library District on all matters.
Maricopa County Attorney’s Office
Senior Attorney – Property Tax Bureau (March 2011 – December 2012)
Assumed Senior Attorney position upon reorganization by new County Attorney, responsible for all phases of litigation for 80+ vacant land and agricultural property tax matters including strategy, discovery, experts and settlement negotiation; continued to advise the county on real estate transactions, contracts and procurement matters.
Bureau Chief –Litigation Bureau (December 2008 – March 2011)
Responsible for oversight of in-house litigation attorneys, assisted in strategy, review of pleadings and appeals, worked with Risk Management adjusters and outside counsel to advise Board of Supervisors on county litigation matters. Also provided representation to Housing Authority of Maricopa County.
Division Chief, Civil Division (December 2000 – December 2008)
Responsible for management of 30 plus attorneys and 35 support staff dedicated to providing civil advice and litigation services to over 60 county departments, special districts and elected officials, administered departmental budget, coordinated outside counsel services and case strategies with Risk Management department, negotiated contracts and personally oversaw executive sessions and provided day-to-day advice to Board of Supervisors and county departments.
Bureau Chief – Public Works Bureau (December 1994 – December 2000)
Originally staff attorney for procurement, facilities management, transportation, real estate, solid waste, flood control and stadium district; promoted to Bureau Chief after first three years. Lead County Attorney assigned to transition Maricopa Medical Center from county operated facility to separate taxing district.
Thomas, Burke & Phillips, Phoenix, Az. (since disbanded) (December 1992 – November 1994)
Associate attorney practicing insurance defense.
Ohio Attorney General’s Office (January 1987 – November 1992)
Associate attorney practicing insurance defense.
- Assigned to Business and Government Relations section for 2 years advising various state boards and Commissions on contracts, personnel and litigation matters.
- Assigned to Court of Claims Defense section for 4 years defending the State of Ohio departments, agencies and universities on construction disputes, roadway accidents, medical malpractice and inmate claims.
Associate assigned general civil litigation, social security hearings, domestic matters and union issues.
City of Toledo Law Department, Toledo, Ohio (November 1984 – April 1985)
Law clerk assigned to perform civil research for law department.
Education
University of Toledo, College of Law - Juris Doctor 1984
University of Toledo - Bachelor of Business Administration 1981
Bar Memberships
Arizona Bar – 1992
Michigan Bar – 1985
Ohio Bar – 1984
Awards
State Bar of Arizona, Tax Law Section – Outstanding Public Service Employee Award 2011
Maricopa County Attorney’s Office - Civil Attorney of the Year 1996
Certificate of Completion – Arizona State University, Institute for Public Executives 2001
William J. Sims III – Bio
Practice concentrated in representing for-profit and non-profit corporations, cities, towns, counties, and school districts; negotiating and documenting development projects and other complex transactions involving the financing, construction, and operation of public facilities. Extensive experience in connection with large public-private partnership contracts.
Advises approximately 78 cities and towns on land use matters as part of the Arizona Municipal Risk Retention Pool land use counseling program and services. Currently represents the following cities and towns:
- Town Attorney, Town of Cave Creek
- Town Attorney, Town of Dewey-Humboldt
- City Attorney, City of Globe
- Town Attorney, Town of Jerome
- Town Attorney, Town of Pinetop-Lakeside
- City Attorney, City of Safford
- Town Attorney, Snowflake
- Town Attorney, Taylor
- City Attorney, Willcox
Arizona, 1986
COURT ADMISSIONS
Supreme Court of Arizona, 1986
EDUCATION J.D., summa cum laude, University of Arizona, 1985
Member, Arizona Law Review, 1983-1985
M.A., Oxford University, 1981
B.A., Oxford University, 1976
B.S., United States Air Force Academy, 1974
Rhodes Scholar
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ACTIVITIES
State Bar of Arizona
Association of Rhodes Scholars