Kristopher Kokotaylo

Kristopher Kokotaylo is a trusted and experienced municipal and special district law attorney that currently serves as City Attorney for the City of Newark and the City of Union City, Senior Assistant City Attorney for the City of San Leandro, District Counsel for the Stege Sanitary District and General Counsel for the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee.  Kris has a deep understanding of the complex factors that go into governmental, legislative and regulatory decision-making and takes a practical approach to addressing the various and unique circumstances that face public agencies.  This allows Kris to effectively and efficiently advise agency executives and elected and appointed officials on the variety of issues that they encounter daily.

Kris uses a results-oriented focus combined with his substantive legal expertise to assist public agencies on a wide range of matters related to land use, real estate, construction, constitutional law, code enforcement, the Public Records Act, the Brown Act, election law, campaign finance and ethics. He provides advice on daily operations issues as well as public policy development and long-term planning matters.  His prior experiences in these areas of public law have given Kris the background to undertake a range of matters, from routine to highly complex, in a concise and reliable manner.

Kris also advises on novel issues facing municipalities and special districts and assists his clients with updating their policies and procedures in response to frequent changes in the law.  He has significant experience in elections and conflict of interest laws and has prepared several ballot measures for local taxes as well as advised local agencies regarding the process and procedure for updating and adopting charges and fees for providing services and establishing development impact fees in compliance with Propositions 13, 62, 218, and 26.  Additionally, Kris advises numerous public safety agencies regarding the countless changes and legal requirements facing law enforcement professionals.  Kris has authored numerous publications and is frequently requested to speak on topics including public records, ethics, open meeting laws, and the regulatory and privacy issues regarding drones.

Kris has a demonstrated commitment to public service having served for over a decade on the Board of Directors for Spectrum Community Services, a non-profit organization that offers a wide variety of community programs and services related to senior meals/meals on wheels, fall prevention, and low-income energy assistance to assist low-income and disadvantaged individuals, families and seniors in their efforts to live independently.

While in law school, Kris was a member of the Thurston Honor Society and competed as a member of the Hastings Moot Court Intercollegiate Competition Team. Kris has also volunteered as an alumni coach for Hastings Moot Court.