As a founding and managing partner of White Brenner LLP, Doug White has set himself apart as a widely respected thought leader and legal practitioner.  Doug’s “clients first” approach is focused in the areas of real estate, land use, municipal law and litigation.  His diverse groups of clients range from cities, counties, special districts, and other public agencies to private developers, builders, lenders, professional associations, unions and business owners.   Doug has vast experience in land use entitlements and project approvals, CEQA and NEPA, real estate contracts and commercial transactions, leasing, building and project certifications, project financing, eminent domain, public contracting and regulatory and governmental affairs.

Doug currently serves as the City Attorney for the cities of Angels Camp, Dixon, and Sonora, as well as Deputy City Attorney for the cities of Livingston, Oakdale, Riverbank, Patterson, and Ceres, and is also special counsel for a number of other cities. Doug also serves as General Counsel to San Miguel Community Services District. As both a City Attorney and General Counsel, he advises public entities and officials on issues pertaining to the Brown Act, Political Reform Act, Public Records Act, public contracting, code enforcement, and other municipal and public law matters. In addition to his municipal work, Doug has also successfully represented his public and private clients in high-profile litigation matters and has obtained favorable judgments and settlements.

Prior to forming White Brenner, Doug served as legal counsel and Vice President of Government Affairs for the California Bankers Association as well as legal staff for the Fair Political Practices Commission.  Doug also benefits from his extensive political experience as Chief of Staff, Legislative Director and consultant to various elected officials, including former Congressman Dennis Cardoza and former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell.

Doug has been recognized as one of the leading attorneys in the United States on issues related to renewable energy and sustainability and has been named by the California Real Estate Journal as one of California’s Green Leaders. He has been selected as a Northern California Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine and been featured as a speaker and moderator at state and national conferences. Doug is as an AV Rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell and has been honored by his peers as Best of the Bar by the Sacramento Business Journal every year since 2014.

Doug is not only an innovative leader in his field, but also in the office. As managing partner, he leads by example, incorporating his business experience and technological know-how into ensuring White Brenner remains at the forefront in providing exceptional legal services to its clients. In addition to all of those roles, Doug is a dedicated family man, occasional half-marathon runner, and California wine enthusiast.

Significant Projects and Representations

• Amazon.com Distribution Hub in Patterson, California
• Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant Reuse in Riverbank, California
• Douglas Park project in Long Beach, California
• Fountainbleu project in Las Vegas, Nevada
• Newhall Ranch project in Los Angeles, California

If not a lawyer… I would work at a winery in Napa. Obviously, I would like to make wine, but I’m probably not qualified for much else other than pouring. I’d just be happy to be there. But if I did produce my own wine, pinot noir (of course), it would be nice to name it after my children.

Barbara A. Brenner is a partner of White Brenner LLP with extensive experience in the areas of natural resources, environmental, land use, energy and municipal law. Prior to joining White Brenner, Barbara was formerly a partner at Stoel Rives LLP, practicing in their natural resources and environmental group as well as land use. As a leader of the White Brenner team, Barbara advises public and private clients in permitting, regulatory compliance, transactional and litigation matters involving water resources, water quality, endangered species, land use, energy, eminent domain and general municipal matters. She currently serves as General Counsel to Rio Linda-Elverta Community Water District, Grizzly Flats Community Water District and Reclamation District 799, and Special Counsel to the cities of Arroyo Grande, Banning, San Bruno, Dixon and Patterson, as well as to Camrosa Water District, Merced Irrigation District, San Joaquin County, and San Miguel Community Services District.

In the area of water resources, Barbara has extensive experience with the protection and acquisition of water resources, water contract interpretation and negotiations, water supply planning and assessments, aquifer storage and recovery, water transfers and water quality. Barbara’s in-depth experience in water law allows her to represent water districts and other purveyors, growers, ranchers, and other rural landowners, as well as various industry clients, including those involved in the agricultural, timber, renewable energy, and land use and development sectors that are addressing California’s myriad of water supply and quality challenges.

Within her natural resources practice, Barbara assists clients with the state and federal Endangered Species Acts, wetlands, land conservation permitting, and related litigation. She has assisted private and public interests with the evaluation of Habitat Conservation Plans, Natural Community Conservation Plans, Biological Opinion consultations, California Incidental Take Permits, 404 individual permits, timber harvest plans, and conservation easements.

Barbara’s land use practice includes representing private land owners, developers, and public agencies in matters involving local government planning and zoning, Coastal Act permitting, CEQA and NEPA compliance, Clean Water Act compliance, land development strategy, eminent domain and related litigation.

Barbara’s municipal practice includes serving as general and special counsel to special districts, joint power agencies, cities, and counties. Barbara regularly advises on compliance with the Brown Act, Public Records Act, Public Contract Code, as well as various other laws impacting public agencies.

If not a lawyer… I would open a bar or dive shop in Mexico or Central America, somewhere very remote and on the beach, where I could meet people from all different places while they are appreciating the underwater world.

Randy Pollack is a seasoned expert in government and regulatory affairs, focusing on lobbying and strategic advocacy for businesses and trade associations in California. With over 30 years of experience, he has adeptly navigated legislative and regulatory issues related to chemical policy, consumer products, financial services, privacy, water, and franchise relationships.

Additionally, he has extensive knowledge in working with the California Department of Food & Agriculture, Cal-EPA, Department of Health Services, Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency, Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and various other state agencies and departments to resolve issues on behalf of his clients. In a November 2009 survey, California Legislators voted Randy as the “Most Underrated Lobbyist” working at the Capitol—a testament to the effective and pragmatic approach he employs on behalf of his clients.

Before founding White Brenner LLP, Randy founded his own firm focusing on legislative and regulatory affairs. Prior to that, Randy was a shareholder of a national law firm where he crafted and directed legislative and regulatory strategies for Fortune 500 companies and trade associations. Randy’s distinguished government experience includes serving as Chief Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary to former Governor George Deukmejian, where he counseled the Governor and senior staff on a variety of legal, public policy and legislative issues. As Chief Consultant to the Assembly of Agriculture Committee, he oversaw vital issues affecting California’s $20 billion agricultural industry. In addition, Randy served as legal advisor to the California Public Employment Relations Board.

If not a lawyer… growing up in a retail family, I would be operating a store in a small town.

Elisabeth L. White is a partner with White Brenner LLP whose practice focuses on issues related to healthcare law, administrative law, and government affairs. As a registered lobbyist, Elisabeth has assisted a wide variety of both public agencies and private companies. Her experience as an attorney sets her apart as a lobbyist, providing her with a thorough understanding into the nuances of legislation and the language of a bill.

Prior to joining White Brenner LLP, Elisabeth lobbied on behalf of Costco Wholesale, the California Construction Trucking Association, West Basin Municipal Water District, the City of La Canada Flintridge, and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). Elisabeth represented the City of Inglewood and advocated on their behalf before the California State Legislature. A significant project of impact involved working with Southern California water agencies and other Southern California cities to successfully oppose the City and its residents from being charged additional money for the water they were receiving.

Apart from lobbying, Elisabeth also advises clients on issues related to healthcare compliance, State licensing and certification, Medicare certification, Medicare and Medi-Cal enrollment and complex healthcare agreements. She also advises clients on, among other things, required governmental filings (e.g., Statement of Economic Interests) and political law issues including committee and campaign reporting.

Elisabeth has represented large hospital systems, foundations and physician groups. She has also worked in an in-house setting as a law clerk for both UC Davis Health System and Dignity Health. As a legislative advocate, she advanced the interests and priorities of healthcare organizations, Southern California cities, large corporations and special interest associations before the State Legislature. Elisabeth is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association and the California Society for Health Care Attorneys. She was named a 2015, 2016 and 2017 Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine in the areas of Government Relations, State, Local & Municipal Law, and Health Care.

If not a lawyer… I would be a children’s clothing designer. My twin daughters are very different individuals. I love to see them express themselves in their own unique way. I enjoy putting together looks for them that are cute, coordinate and express their unique personalities.

If Nubia Goldstein’s career seems perfectly tailored towards municipal law, that’s because it is. From majoring in Government at California State University, Sacramento to choosing Public Law and Policy as her academic focus at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, Nubia has developed a background in politics and policy that continually influences her diverse public agency work today.

As part of the White Brenner LLP team, Nubia’s areas of practice include real estate and land use, litigation, eminent domain and legislative advocacy. Nubia serves as City Attorney for the cities of Newman, Ceres and Patterson and Deputy City Attorney to the cities of Angels Camp, Dixon, Livingston and Sonora, as well as General Counsel to the California Electronic Recording Transaction Network Authority (CeRTNA) and Special Counsel to the city of Redwood City.  She advises White Brenner LLP’s municipal and special district clients on issues related to the Brown Act, conflicts of interest, election law and land use matters. She represents the firm’s public and private clients in all stages of litigation, mediation and alternative dispute resolution. She is a member of the Public Law section of the California State Bar, a member of the Hispanic National Bar Association, and a registered lobbyist.

Before entering law school, Nubia gained legislative experience working at the Capitol for a California Assemblywoman and political know-how while working on local election campaigns. The time spent staffing bills and communicating with constituents and lobbyists naturally carried over to her desire to practice law. While at McGeorge, Nubia participated in several student organizations and served as President and Executive Chair of McGeorge’s Public Legal Services Society. In addition to graduating with distinction, she earned the Witkin Award for Excellence in two courses, was admitted to the Traynor Honor Society, and received the Outstanding Student service Award for her significant contributions to the McGeorge community.

Outside of her academic honors, Nubia built upon her governmental relations and legal experience at the California Attorney General’s Office, Fair Political Practices Commission, and the Department of Fair Employment and Housing. She also previously worked in the Civil Law and Motion Department of the Sacramento County Superior Court. The accumulation of all these experiences naturally drew Nubia towards municipal law as an intersection of politics, policy, and law.

Although it may seem like Nubia’s entire life revolves around solving municipal matters, she does get out of the office to explore local eateries, museums, and sporting events. And while she is an ardent local sports fan and spends the fall managing her fantasy football team, she leaves the physical participation to the professionals.

If not a lawyer… based on my experiences organizing club and fundraising events, I would probably do event planning, either for business and political organizations or special events for non-profits—possibly both! I like watching all the elements of a well-structured event come together successfully.

Angela Schrimp de la Vergne is a partner of White Brenner LLP with nearly 30 years of experience in civil litigation, business counseling and real estate. Prior to joining White Brenner, Angela was a shareholder at Damrell, Nelson, Schrimp, Pallios & Silva, a pre-eminent litigation firm in the Central Valley, where she practiced with her father, Roger Schrimp. Prior to Damrell, Angela was a partner at Knox, Lemmon, Anapolsky & Schrimp. As a native of Oakdale, Angela has strong ties to the Central Valley and its agricultural businesses.

During her 30 years of practice, Angela has amassed significant litigation experience in multiple areas, including commercial transactions, real estate disputes, corporate dissolutions, business operating disputes and landlord tenant.  Angela’s transactional experience spans corporate and entity formation and dissolutions, secured transactions, real property transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and employment counseling. Angela’s diverse clients range from multi-generational agricultural businesses to single-person start-ups. Angela brings her breadth of experience to every client and every issue, which positions her to “problem solve” from multiple angles. A versatile litigator, Angela understands how a litigation matter might affect other areas of a client’s business. Angela’s litigation background includes diverse experience, from issues involving rail transportation to creditor representation in bankruptcy.

Angela is an AV-rated attorney and was included as a 2022 Northern California Super-Lawyer in the areas of civil litigation and corporate counseling. Angela is a fellow in the American Leadership Forum, Mountain Valley Chapter (Class XI), past president of The Effort (now known as Wellspace Health) and is a past hearing board member of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.

If not a lawyer… I would cobble together odd jobs that would allow me to do all of my hobbies (none of which I am particularly good at!). I would be a personal fitness coach, play in a band (think symphony, not rock), dance, and work in the fiber industry (maybe as a yarn rep).

Tom Hallinan brings a career’s worth of extensive municipal knowledge to the White Brenner team. Tom has represented over ten cities and special districts and currently represents the cities of Oakdale, Riverbank, and Livingston as City Attorney. He has also served as Special District General Counsel to the communities of Grayson, Crows Landing, and Empire. As such, he is experienced in providing legal advice on the Brown Act, Political Reform Act, Public Records Act, contracts and procurement, and all phases of real property development including public finance. He also prosecutes all municipal code violations.

A 20-year member of the Central Valley City Attorney’s Association, Tom is also active in the League of California Cities’ City Attorney Department, where he has served as the Department’s representative to the Annual Conference Planning Committee and on the Transportation, Communication and Public Works Committee. In addition, he assists the League’s Legal Advocacy Committee as an appointed representative of the Central Valley.

Tom is an elected member of the Yosemite Community College District Board of Trustees, where he is currently serving his fifth four-year term. He also serves on the Stanislaus-Ceres Oversight Board of the former Redevelopment Agency, and the Stanislaus County Assessment Appeals Board. Hallinan has served as a Governor’s appointee to the 38^th District Agricultural Association, and on numerous local non-profit boards and commissions. In 2015, Tom was appointed to the California Law Revision Commission by Governor Brown. He has also served as an appointed member of the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee of the California Gambling Control Commission.

Prior to joining White Brenner LLP, Tom worked in the California Legislature, and for the State of California, Department of Toxic Substances Control, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Having served for two decades as both an elected official and federal, state, county and city appointee, Tom is knowledgeable of and works well with all government agencies.

If not a lawyer… if I wasn’t practicing law, I would be the 5th generation to raise cattle on the family ranch in Coulterville, Mariposa County, California.

With over 25 years of employment law experience, Debra Hinshaw Vierra is a recognized and trusted source of advice to human resources professionals and public and private employers all over the state. Her extensive experience includes representing employers in collective bargaining negotiations and arbitrations; unfair labor practice and representation proceedings; and all types of employment discrimination and harassment proceedings, from mediation and administrative proceedings through litigation. She also advises both public and private clients on disability accommodation, family and medical leave issues, personnel policies, and employment agreements.

One of the key components of Deb’s practice is her exhaustive experience in conducting workplace investigations. Throughout her career, she has conducted over 275 workplace investigations, an area where she excels not only on her knowledge of the law, but on her critical thinking, research, and communications skills. As a result, Deb has been retained by both private and public entities to advise on in-house investigations, as well as to conduct neutral third-party investigations. The range of claims that she has investigated include claims of harassment, discrimination and retaliation; failure to investigate; failure to reasonably accommodate; theft and destruction of Company trade secrets and other company property; ethical violations; actual and threatened workplace violence; and other violations of employer policies and practices. Her background and training ensure thorough investigations and sound conclusions supported by evidence.

Prior to joining White Brenner, Deb served as Of Counsel at Cook Brown LLP, as a shareholder at Littler Mendelson, the nation’s largest labor and employment firm, and was a founding partner of Employment Law Counsel, LLP.

As a noted expert in her practice, Deb is often asked to author, teach, and lecture on employment law matters, and is frequently called upon to provide expert testimony on the adequacy of workplace investigations. She also provides customized workplace training for both managerial and non-managerial staff on subjects such as sexual harassment, discrimination, and management practices.

Deb is admitted to practice before all California state courts and all U.S. District Courts in the State of California.

Susan Cresto Baker previously served as Division Vice President – General Counsel for the Northern California Division of CommonSpirit Health, covering the Bay Area, Sacramento and the far North State.  She has 24 years of experience as in-house counsel for CommonSpirit Health and its affiliate Dignity Health.  Prior to her work with CommonSpirit, Susan was a Deputy County Counsel for the County of Shasta for eleven years.

At CommonSpirit, Susan provided a broad spectrum of legal advice in multiple operational settings including complex contract negotiations and drafting; development, implementation and management of strategic plans; real estate and construction transactions; human resource issues including policy-development and corrective actions; supervision of outside counsel related to complex litigation and transactions; and attended and advised local hospital boards related to governance, organizational issues and conflicts of interest.

The announcement of her retirement with CommonSpirit concluded with this message: “In all of her roles, Susan has served as a thoughtful and insightful legal leader, trusted by both her clients and colleagues.  Susan is known for her wide-ranging expertise, and her knowledge and collaborative manner.  She has been an invaluable Legal Team member and made countless contributions to CommonSpirit.”

Susan is currently enjoying her time by pursuing some travel adventures, and most importantly, enjoying her role as grandmother.

Kerry Fuller’s exposure to California’s complex water system started early. Her father worked as an engineer for a water agency in the San Bernardino Valley, and through discussions and observation of his work, Kerry became fascinated with the vast web of infrastructure and accompanying laws and agreements that govern California’s water.

In her legal practice, Kerry takes this early interest and applies it in the context of public, water, land use, and environmental law. She provides advice and counsel to the Firm’s clients on those subject matters and focuses on mentorship and training of the Firm’s attorneys in the early stages of practice. She currently serves as Deputy City Attorney to the City of Newman and Deputy General Counsel to Del Paso Manor Water District, Rio Linda-Elverta Community Water District, North Yuba Water District and Reclamation District 799. She also advises the firm’s other public agency clients on a variety of matters including the Brown Act, Public Records Act and Political Reform Act.

After graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara with degrees in Political Science and Psychology, Kerry spent several years working in Washington D.C. for Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential primary campaign, as well as for Defenders of Wildlife, an environmental nonprofit. It was there, encouraged by her mentors and still fascinated by California’s water system, that Kerry became inspired to become a lawyer. As a result, Kerry returned to California, where she graduated from the University of California, Davis with her Juris Doctor. She has worked as a law clerk at the California Attorney General’s Office in the Environment, Land Law, and Natural Resources Section.

From inspiration to actuality, Kerry now flexes her decision-making and problem-solving skills as a member of the White Brenner team. Kerry is a member of the California State Bar and channels all her experiences into her municipal, water, and environmental practices.

If not a lawyer… I would be an interior designer. I enjoy making spaces feel cohesive and inviting. I am obsessed with Flipping Out on Bravo, but find the idea of working with someone that intense slightly terrifying. Thus, I am not an interior designer.

Fatima Gioletti joins White Brenner as Of Counsel, bringing over twenty years of experience handling business and agricultural litigation and transactional matters for clients in the Central San Joaquin Valley from the Sacramento Delta to Fresno.

Fatima comes from a strong farming background, having been born and raised on her family’s dairy farm in Hilmar, California, and being married to a fourth-generation dairy farmer in Turlock. Fatima and her husband have an active household raising three busy children and being steeped in their country community. In addition to dairying, Fatima’s family farms forage almond crops in the Central Valley, as well as peaches.

Fatima has represented clients in various aspects of the agricultural industry, handling transactional and litigation matters involving landlord/tenant relationships, employment issues, animal feed contamination, feed and mineral transportation, pesticide drift, almond and other crop disputes, feed and cattle supply liens, farm equipment and real property purchase agreements, insurance coverage, eminent domain, public agency, and other areas. Fatima also handles general business and civil litigation and transactional matters and has been involved in several complex litigation matters in federal, state, and out-of-state courts, including several matters before the California Courts of Appeal and having briefed public agency issues before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Fatima earned her juris doctorate degree from Santa Clara University School of Law and while there, received the Richard R. Rosenberg Prize for Excellence in Labor Law and a Cal Jur Award for Employment Law. Prior to that, Fatima graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Stanislaus and was named the 1998 Department of Criminal Justice Outstanding Student of the Year.

Being the daughter of Azorean immigrants, Fatima is fluent in Portuguese and regularly participates in cultural and religious events. Fatima and her husband serve on various local and industry boards and stewardship committees, including having chaired weekend-long parish festival events that generate the annual operating income for their parish. Fatima also volunteers teaching weekly religious education classes and is a founding director of a non-profit called Spirit of Father Mata, an organization that continues her family’s commitment to supporting ministries that serve children and elderly people in need.

When Fatima is not at her desk, transporting kids, cooking or working in her yard, she can be seen jogging on irrigation district canal banks with her beloved Cane Corso.

If not a lawyer… If I was being practical, I would probably be teaching somewhere–and probably at a parochial school. While we love the small rural schools that we and our kids have attended, I have taught catechism for so long, that it just makes sense. If I was working for the fun of it however, I would be arranging gift baskets and displays at my friend’s Farm House gift shop in Turlock.

A seasoned labor and employment attorney, Will Creger represented both employers and unions before joining White Brenner as Of Counsel. His diverse experience affords him a unique perspective when addressing challenges faced by the firm’s clients. In addition to providing his organizational clients advice and training on a wide variety of subjects as their general counsel, Will has defended their interests in all phases of union organizational campaigns and collective bargaining processes, including prosecuting and defending unfair labor practice charges and complaints.

Will prides himself on his ability to find creative resolutions to disputes and his capacity to maintain congenial and long-term relationships with the people on the other side of the bargaining table. When settlement has proven elusive, Will has successfully represented his clients in a litany of judicial and quasi-judicial forums including state superior and appellate courts, the National Labor Relations Board, the Public Employment Relations Board, the Agricultural Labor Relations Board, the Office of Administrative Hearings, the State Personnel Board, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing/ Civil Rights Department, and the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board.

As a former advocate for public safety unions, Will Creger has comprehensive familiarity with all facets of the Public Safety Officers Procedural Bill of Rights Act, the Firefighters Procedural Bill of Rights Act, the Meyers-Milias Brown Act, and related legislation. He is practiced in workplace investigations and has consistently obtained positive results for his clients through a myriad of disciplinary appeals, grievances, impasse procedures, and other disputes related to collective bargaining agreements before arbitrators, administrative law judges, and various panels, commissions, and tribunals.

In his free time, Will enjoys the outdoors with his family and his Australian Cattle Dog, Merlin.

If not a lawyer… I would like to work in Parks Maintenance for the city. Ideally, I would oversee one big park with baseball or soccer fields, which I would treat as a giant Zen garden.

Michelle Thompson is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in land development, municipal relations, wireless permitting and construction, and real estate in California. She has a proven track record of successfully navigating the complex regulations and laws surrounding these areas and is well-versed in the latest industry trends and developments. With her in-depth knowledge and experience, Michelle can provide clients with the guidance and support they need to achieve their goals. Whether you are a developer looking to build a new project, a business owner seeking to expand your operations, or an individual with real estate needs, Michelle can help you navigate the legal landscape and achieve your objectives.

Throughout her career, Michelle has built a reputation as a dedicated and hardworking professional who is committed to helping her clients succeed. She is known for her attention to detail, her ability to think strategically, and her ability to communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and understandable way. Her clients appreciate her proactive approach, as well as her ability to develop creative solutions to the challenges they face. Michelle provides her clients with the highest level of service and support. She works closely with each client to understand their unique project goals and develops customized solutions that are tailored to their specific situation.

Michelle’s experience in land development, municipal relations, wireless permitting and construction, and real estate has given her a diverse skill set that sets her apart from others in the field. With her knowledge and experience, she can help her clients avoid costly delays and navigate the permitting process with ease. In addition to her technical skills, Michelle is also known for her exceptional client service. She is responsive, professional, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure her clients’ satisfaction. She is a great listener and is able to understand her clients’ needs and concerns, which enables her to provide them with the best possible service.

In addition to her professional experience, Michelle is also an active member of her community. She is involved in various organizations that support local businesses and the community. She also volunteers her time to help local schools and non-profit organizations.

Rachel Rappaport joins White Brenner LLP  with over ten years of experience as a practicing attorney. After graduating from law school, Rachel worked at small law firms before transitioning into an Assistant Attorney General role with the Washington State Office of the Attorney General. As an Assistant Attorney General, Rachel regularly appeared in court and represented her state agency client in trials and appeals. Rachel was also part of her client agency’s legal headquarters team where she provided advice on a wide range of matters under state and federal law.

Before law school, Rachel developed a passion for creative problem solving through her work in dispute resolution. Although Rachel is an experienced litigator, she is also trained in mediation and works with her clients to find the most efficient and cost-effective ways to resolve disputes. In addition, Rachel has experience helping to improve state agency processes and efficiencies as a performance auditor with the California State Auditor’s Office. Most recently, Rachel investigated discrimination and harassment complainants as an investigator at a large California public university’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Title IX Office.

Rachel has been licensed by the Washington State Bar Association since 2011. Rachel recently passed the California bar exam, and her admission to the California State Bar is pending.

If not a lawyer… would do something involving fitness. I have been a certified personal trainer and running coach for a few years, and it would be great to use my knowledge for something besides my personal fitness journey.

Toni has always dreamt of being a litigator and using her skills to make a positive impact. She graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in 2017 before joining the Air Force. As an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate in the Air Force, she began her career advising military commanders on serious ethical issues, reviewing federal contracts, and providing advice on federal employment issues. She then moved onto prosecuting federal criminal offenses. Toni was selected for a criminal defense position in the Air Force, which allowed her to manage her own office and case load while representing military members in court.

Toni decided to leave the Air Force in 2022 to explore civil litigation. She joined a law firm as a part of their litigation team where she worked on construction litigation, class action lawsuits, and property tax matters. Toni decided to leave to pursue work that would be closer to her dream of making a positive impact.

In 2024, Toni joined a law firm that specialized in social security disability cases. While in this role, Toni represented clients seeking social security disability benefits at administrative hearings and wrote appeals for individuals who were denied benefits.

Toni joined White Brenner in the fall of 2024 for the opportunity to achieve her dream of being a litigator and using her advocacy skills to make a positive impact by working on municipal matters. Since joining White Brenner, Toni has worked on litigation and general municipal matters.

If not a lawyer… I’d be a baker. I love the process of trying out a new recipe, getting comfortable with the recipe, and then making my own little twists to the ingredients. The process isn’t always smooth; thankfully my family members are lenient critics. I also love baking shows like the The Great British Bake Off, Baking Impossible, and Nailed it.

Joshua Varinsky’s traversing of cities, both domestic and abroad, landed him in the fields of land use and municipal law. At White Brenner LLP, Josh focuses on land use and planning matters for the firm’s municipal clients. His background in urban planning and public policy helps him tackle regulatory issues affecting all tiers of government. Josh’s areas of practice include planning and zoning law, the Subdivision Map Act, CEQA, housing, development agreements, public finance, and Local Agency Formation Commissions.

During law school at the University of California, Davis, Josh held internships with the Oakland City Attorney’s Office and the California Attorney General’s Office. Josh also spent a semester in Washington, D.C., externing in the Rulemaking Division of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. For his Master of Urban Planning at the University of Southern California, Josh concentrated in economic development and real estate finance, interning with affordable housing and economic development firms.

Josh graduated from Tulane University with majors in Political Science and Spanish. After college, Josh worked in Texas, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. Eventually, Josh made his way to Sacramento, not far from his upbringing in Oakland.

If not a lawyer… I would be in education and coach baseball. Education comes in many forms, and any student leader is in a position to unlock potential. I would love to help students find their passions and navigate complex environments… so long as the baseball diamond is not too far away.

Christina Pritchard has been with White Brenner LLP since just after its inception in 2013. Before joining White Brenner, Christina worked on complex civil litigation matters for Downey Brand, McDonough Holland & Allen and DLA Piper as a paralegal, specializing in health insurance contracts, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and hospital system compliance laws. Christina’s dedication and diligence has helped White Brenner become one of the most trusted municipal law firms in Northern California.

Christina’s focus is on litigation and general municipal matters. Her diverse experience in litigation management, privacy laws, and the broad scope of day-to-day legal matters affecting public agencies has prepared her to assist our clients on almost any legal issue. Christina’s experience includes the Brown Act, Political Reform Act, Public Records Act, contracts and procurement, and real property development. Her areas of practice include civil litigation, real estate and land use, public law and employment law.

During law school, Christina worked full time at White Brenner, immersing herself in what it takes to be a White Brenner attorney. She accomplished all of this as a mother of three wonderful children. In her spare time, Christina enjoys relaxing with family and friends.

If not a lawyer… I would work with a non-profit disaster relief organization. I spent some time in Haiti after the earthquake and subsequent mudslides in 2010. Had I not had a child waiting for me at home at that time, I probably would have never looked back. There is nothing more rewarding than giving all that you have and are capable of to those that do not have the means, by no fault of their own, to help themselves.

Tom Remlinger is a recent graduate of King Hall, U.C. Davis School of Law. In Law School, Tom was a counselor in the Workers’ Rights clinic, a member of the King Hall Legal Foundation, clerked for Legal Services of Northern California, was an extern with the California Department of Transportation’s Legal Division, and has been working with White Brenner since summer 2023. Tom’s practice areas of interest are municipal law, land use, and natural resources.

With a background in public interest and hailing from Stockton, California, Tom is interested in serving residents of the Central Valley. Prior experience as an assistant investigator at the San Joaquin County Public Defender’s Office kicked off Tom’s legal career. Working for the County and interfacing with community members sparked his interest in local government.

Tom received his bachelor’s in finance and information technology from the University of Washington Foster School of Business.  Tom spent five years in winemaking and viticulture prior to his legal career. In his free time, Tom enjoys working on his family’s vineyard in Lodi, road cycling, and hanging out with his parents’ basset hounds.

If not a law clerk… I would be a ceramic artist focusing on thrown forms with a wood fire kiln somewhere in the California foothills. Since my ceramic skills would never afford me the opportunity to make money, I would likely be relegated to dealing in ceramic antiquities and antiques.

Ashley Hong joins White Brenner LLP with over five years of experience as a legislative analyst and policy advocate. Ashley’s practice has always emphasized environmental impacts, labor and employment, energy, economic development, and technology such as privacy and GenAI.

After graduating from the University of California, Riverside, with a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, Ashley spent several years working as a legislative analyst for the California Manufacturing and Technology Association while attending McGeorge School of Law as an evening student.

During her time at McGeorge, she gained valuable legal experience as a judicial law clerk at the United States District Court Eastern District of California, as well as a law clerk at a defense litigation law firm. She served as an Associate Articles Editor of Volume 54 for the University of the Pacific Law Review, was a Kennedy Inn Court member, participated in the ABA Client Counseling Competition, and was a member of several associations such as the McGeorge Water Law Society, Capital Lawyering Association, Asian Pacific Island Capitol Association, and Women’s Caucus. She was also a LexisNexis Associate and an outreach event coordinator for the Asian Pacific American law students. She worked closely with the California State Legislatures and regulatory agencies while advocating for California’s manufacturing industry.

After graduating from McGeorge with distinction and a certificate of concentration in Capital Lawyering, Ashley’s passion for public interest legal work was evident. She worked at a lobbying trade association before joining White Brenner as a Post-Bar Law Clerk, always driven by her interest in litigation, land use, water law, energy law, environmental law, technology, and labor and employment law.

When she’s not immersed in her legal work, Ashley can often be found with a book in hand, indulging in a great read, painting, knitting, or maintaining her physical fitness through cycling, Pilates, or lifting weights at the gym. Ashley is eager to bring her dedication, skills, and passion to the legal profession.

If not a lawyer… You might find me channeling my creativity as a fashion stylist or designer. I’m inspired by the dynamic interplay of creativity and self-expression that defines personal style. There’s something exhilarating about blending intellect and creativity, whether it’s crafting a compelling argument or curating the perfect look. But let’s be real, the constant pressure to innovate, à la Project Runway intensity, would have me crying over fabric swatches faster than you can say, “Make it work!” Instead, fashion remains my creative escape, a passion that keeps life balanced and stylish.