News


 Pre-Election Litigation Alert

Challenging March 2024 Voter Information Pamphlet Materials November 2023 As the March 5, 2024 election season heats up, candidates and consultants should keep in mind that the law allows campaigns to challenge false, misleading or improper information which will appear in the voter information pamphlet and/or on the ballot. These include candidate […]


Court Upholds SB 1439

A Sacramento County Superior Court Judge has upheld SB 1439, the new law which severely restricts campaign contributions to local elected officials (such as city council members, county supervisors, and candidates for those offices) in the legal challenge brought by the California Building Industry Association and other trade associations. The […]


Disqualification Law May Apply to City Attorneys

May 2023 Alert SB 1439, the new law which requires city councilmembers, county supervisors and other local elected officials to recuse themselves from proceedings involving a land use applicant or government contractor who has contributed over $250, continues to raise new questions. While the law was evidently aimed to extend the […]


New Sutton Law Firm Partner

March 2023 The Sutton Law Firm is pleased to announce that Matthew Alvarez has become a partner of the firm. Matthew, a graduate of Boston College and the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, has been with the firm since 2014. Matthew regularly advises candidates, elected officials, political […]


Developments in State and Local Lobbying Laws

December 2022 Several recent changes have been made to state and local lobbying laws which deserve attention from those who are active in government affairs in California.   Expanded Disclosure Requirements for State “Grassroots Lobbying” Ads   The Governor signed a bill (SB 459) which will require an “Ad paid […]