Heather Kristina Whitham

With nearly 20 years of experience working directly with municipalities, Heather Whitham focuses the majority of her practice at Carmel & Naccasha LLP representing public agencies. Heather currently serves as City Attorney for the City of Arroyo Grande, District Counsel to San Simeon Community Services District, Assistant District Counsel to the Mission Hills Community Services District, Local District Counsel to the Templeton Community Services District and legal counsel to the Guadalupe Oversight Board.

After passing the bar in 1995, Heather worked for 14 years as a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Torrance. During her tenure at the City, Heather practiced in all areas of municipal law, including serving as legal adviser to the City’s Planning Commission. Heather advised the City’s Community Development Department, Planning Commission and City Council through the real estate boom of the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.

Heather has extensive knowledge of and frequently provides advice on the Brown Act, the Public Records Act, and the Political Reform Act. Heather has significant experience drafting ordinances, resolutions, agreements and leases. Heather also provides advice on public purchasing, bidding requirements and bidding disputes. In addition, Heather advises public agencies on Proposition 218 and Proposition 26 as they relate to fees, taxes and assessments. Heather also provides advice to public agencies on personnel matters.

In addition, Heather practices law in the areas of civil litigation, land use and transactional law. Heather has successfully completed numerous civil and criminal court and jury trials. She has also handled specialized litigation matters such as writs of mandate.

Heather frequently provides training to public agency staff, appointed and elected officials, on the Brown Act, land use laws, California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) and Ethics- AB1234.

Heather joined Carmel & Naccasha LLP in 2010.

Practice Areas:

• Municipal Law
• Land Use
• Transactional Law