Experience
The Law Offices of Edward Z. Kotkin,
A Professional Law Corporation
As a City Attorney:
- Served the City of Indio, California; population 76,036 per 2010 census
- Worked as General Counsel to Redevelopment Agency for the City of Indio and the Indio Water Authority
- Created and acted as legal counsel for Eastern Riverside County Interoperable Communications Authority (joint powers agency for police and other public safety communication)
- Provided limited deputy city attorney and/or prosecutor services to the Cities of Garden Grove, Hawaiian Gardens, Palm Springs, San Juan Capistrano, and Tustin
Responsibilities
- Drafted ordinances, resolutions, reports to public officials, policies
- Negotiated and drafted agreements, documents and reports for development projects, real estate transactions, public works (infrastructure) projects, professional services, water service
- Managed all litigation for City, Redevelopment Agency and Water Authority
- Participated in all public meetings (City Council, Redevelopment Agency, Water Authority)
- Served as member of California League of Cities, City Attorneys Division, Committee re Fair Political Practices Commission
Representative Transactions
- Negotiated and Drafted Disposition and Development Agreement, Redevelopment Agency of the City of Indio and Desert Community College District, January 2011
- Negotiated and Drafted Annual special event agreements and permits for Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals, multiple years, most recent approval DeceDecember 2010
- Negotiated and Drafted Solid Waste Hauling and Recycling Franchise Agreement with Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services, LLC, June 2010
- Drafted New Parks Ordinance and Regulations, December 2009
- Adjusted Utility User Tax via City initiated ballot initiative, three percent (3%) increase, November 2010
- Drafted Indio Ticket Distribution Policy, April 2009
- Created Eastern Riverside County Interoperable Communications Authority per Joint Exercise of Powers Act, five (5) member cities, July 2008
- Drafted and Implemented Registration and Maintenance of Abandoned Properties Ordinance, March 2008
- Negotiated and Drafted Regency Realty Group “Indio Towne Center Development Agreement,” Home Depot, Winco, Petco, etc., January 2007
- Established Indio Performing Arts Center, June 2006
Representative Litigation
- Reduced unjustified pass-through payments to local school district by fifty percent (50%) via settlement of litigation, January 2008
- Allowed continued construction, and eventual completion and opening of Super Target store via settlement of environmental challenge, August 2007
- Acquired land for soccer park via condemnation settlement, November 2004
Representing Other Parties:
- Referred significant corporate embezzlement to and coordinated interaction with local District Attorney's office
- Led and coordinated long-term multiple firm transactional and litigation representation of franchise solid waste hauler re conflict of interest matter and assignment of franchise agreement in City of South Gate
- Disposed of corporate assets of solid waste hauling company
- Advocated for supermarket chain in proposed condemnation by the Redevelopment Agency of Lake Elsinore
- Represented a retired city manager re deposition testimony
- Represented a retired city manager re controversial retirement issues
- Assisted City of La Verne as special counsel re land use matter
- Served as counsel for real estate investment company re multiple transactions and litigation re ownership and operation of apartment buildings
As a Deputy District Attorney:
- Coordinated investigation and prosecuted high-profile fraud cases, from intake through trial, in the following practice areas:
- banking
- conservatorship and probate matters
- commercial
- consumer and government guaranteed loans
- corporate embezzlement
- counterfeiting
- fisuciary elder abuse
- identity theft
- insurance (automobile, workers' compensation, unemployment, and property/casualty)
- mortgage lending
- police matters
- political/public integrity
- pyramid (endless chain) schemes
- real estate
- securities
- Litigated all phases of consumer protection, environmental enforcement and occupational safety cases
- Coordinated investigations by local, state and national law enforcement agencies
- Created and administered educational programs for real estate and insurance industry professionals regarding fraud detection, investigation, and prevention
- Trained and supervised new prosecutors
- Wrote and reviewed prospective legislation
- Awards: Outstanding Achievement Award 2000 (Riverside County District Attorney’s Office)Runner-Up Prosecutor of the Year, International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators, 2001
- Served as Co-Chair of Real Estate Fraud Committee of California District Attorneys Association
