The Brown Act is California's "Open Meetings" or "Sunshine" Law.
The Brown Act's purpose is to
ensure that local agency deliberations are open
so that the people "may
retain control over the instruments they have created." Govt.
Code Section 54950.
"The Brown Act is intended to ensure
. . . public participation in all phases of local government decision-making,
and to curb misuse of the democratic process by secret legislation of
public bodies." Int'l
Longshoremen's Warehousemen's Union v. Los Angeles Export Terminal,
Inc. (1999) 69 Cal.App.4th 287, 293.
All too often government violates the
Brown Act and engages in prohibited acts. In our frequent appearances
before city councils, planning commissions, school boards and other local
bodies, The Silverstein Law Firm fights against government violation
of the Brown Act. Our knowledge of the Brown Act has helped protect the
rights of property owners, community groups and individuals.
To see the Los Angeles County
District Attorney's reprimand of the mayor and city council
of Beverly Hills based upon a Brown Act complaint lodged by Robert
P. Silverstein, CLICK HERE.
To see the Los
Angeles Times article regarding the District Attorney's censure of the Beverly
Hills city council, CLICK HERE.
