Intro
Katherine focuses on public agency law. She assists transportation agencies, cities, counties, special districts, joint exercise of powers authorities, and other local agencies with procurements, contracts, the California Public Records Act, the Brown Act, and government ethics, among other areas of law.
Katherine assists public agencies with all aspects of the public procurement process, including reviewing solicitations, advising on state and federal procurement requirements, handling public contract protests, responding to requests for procurement records, and advising on procurement matters related to federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Enterprise (SBE) regulations. She has worked on a wide range of procurements for services and goods, including federally assisted procurements, complex procurements with multiple phases, and procurements related to maintaining and purchasing public transit vehicles. Katherine also drafts and reviews procurement policies, procedures, and templates, and provides trainings on procurement best practices.
Katherine advises public agencies on matters related to public meetings, requests for public records, agency policies and procedures, and conflicts of interest. She drafts and reviews ordinances, policies, resolutions, governance documents, staff reports, cooperative agreements between agencies, and funding agreements between public and private entities. Katherine provides trainings to public agency officials and employees on ethics laws concerning financial interests, government transparency, and fair processes.
After graduating from law school, Katherine served as a CROWN (Climate, Renewable Energy, Open Space, Water and Natural Resources) Attorney Fellow at the Sonoma County Counsel's Office where she advised county departments on matters related to public finance, code enforcement, land use, and public works. Prior to joining the firm, she served as Deputy Town Attorney for the Town of Corte Madera and interned at the San Francisco City Attorney's Office.
Areas of Focus
Education
Academic Distinction
UC Davis Law Review, Senior Notes and Comments Editor
UC Davis School of Law, Pro Bono Program Certificate
Witkin Award for Academic Excellence: Legal Research and Writing I and II, Public Finance, and Education Policy
Admissions and Courts
Municipal Management Association of the Northern California, Annual Conference Planning Committee Member (2020)
"Q&A on IIJA: How Contractors Can Leverage Federal Infrastructure Funding for Maximum Benefit," California Constructor (May 2023)
"What is the Build America, Buy America Act, and How Does it Apply to Local Governments?," American City & County (April 2023)
California Lawyers Association, Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Legal Services Award (2020)
"A Q&A with ferry attorneys Katherine M. Tsou and Steven D. Miller of Hanson Bridgett," Marinelog (November 2022)
"Understanding Public Service Ethics Laws and Principles (AB 1234)," California State Association of Counties Annual Meeting (November 2020)
"Virtual Board Meetings During COVID-19: Legal Requirements, Planning the Meeting and Practical Guidance," Municipal Management Association of Northern California Webinar (June 2020)