H. Francisco Leal

Partner

H. Francisco Leal has decades of experience representing California public agencies as both a practicing attorney and as a legislative advocate.

Mr. Leal currently serves as General Counsel for the Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD). In his capacity as general and special counsel for his public agency clients, Mr. Leal provides day-to-day legal advice, including on issues related to the Brown Act, environmental liability and regulatory compliance, contracts, zoning, cannabis, election law, conflict of interest issues, negotiations and personnel matters.  Mr. Leal also oversees all litigation matters in agencies where he serves as general counsel.

Mr. Leal also has a developed practice in legislative analysis and advocacy. He is a lobbyist registered with the California Secretary of State and provides legislative analysis, advice, and advocacy through Legislative Advocacy Group, Inc. As a lobbyist, Mr. Leal has represented various general law cities, water and air quality agencies, school districts and healthcare providers on such issues as gaming regulatory reform, funding for school construction and infrastructure projects, and zoning and transportation related matters.

Mr. Leal’s experience includes serving as General Counsel to the Alhambra Unified School District, and as City Attorney for the cities of Lynwood, San Fernando, Commerce, South Pasadena, Maywood and Huntington Park. Mr. Leal previously served as Assistant Regional Counsel for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where he handled a variety of matters related to the enforcement of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

Mr. Leal previously served as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Pan American Bank, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Plaza de la Raza, a Trustee for the Mexican American Bar Association (MABA), as a Board Member for the Community Youth Gang Services Project (CYGS), the Los Angeles Center for Law & Justice, and the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles (IVCLA).  He also served on Yale University’s Board of Governors.