States United Democracy Center
States United Democracy Center
Justice and Fairness above all else.
Luis pursued a legal career to serve the public good through the rules of law and equity. He did this throughout his legal career of diverse and quality experiences, involving many complex commercial and civil rights issues. He presided over trials as a state administrative law judge and litigated in trial and appellate courts. He served 6 years as an appointed federal administrative law judge, an appellate role wedged in between first-level administrative law judges and the U.S. Courts of Appeal. He served public and private sectors, businesses and individuals. He has real world experience as a manager in legal offices, city attorney offices (always rated “exceptional” or “outstanding”), and community organizations.
While finishing his fourth year as City Attorney in 2020, and the office closed during the pandemic, Luis worked on major city projects and governance issues, including: Thornton’s permitting/contracting efforts for a new 75-mile water pipeline; and urban development efforts addressing the blighted Thornton Shopping Center. He managed ten staff attorneys, at least six of which represented the City Attorney’s office in his place during frequent meetings with at least seven separate senior management teams: right-of-way team; city development; municipal court; water resources; purchasing/contracts; $11 million federal CARES program; and metro districts. Proudly, he achieved gender parity in the six leads for these meetings: 3 women /3 men. In 2021 and 2022, 7 former Thornton councilors provided written references and/or public verbal support (2 other supporters had passed away); 15 former or current City Attorney staff members wrote references or words of praise or worked for LCC Law LLC.
Governments are born of law and must respect the rule of law, not the whim of an individual or groups of individuals. Wherever a dispute arises with a state or local government body, the parties should rely on the law for a solution and respect the rule of law in the end. Justice and fairness should be above all else.
Government agencies and the public participate in a variety of administrative hearings and often need an attorney skilled and experienced in conducting administrative hearings and mediations. In all these hearings, the goal should be to serve justice and fairness above all else and finding and respecting hearing officers that follow this mantra in reaching legal decisions.
Policing and jail operations are profoundly serious matters for law enforcement officers and the public, matters that involve complex human behavior and constitutional issues in a variety of situations, some matters arising from mental or medical distress, and some where a crime occurred and others where no crime occurred. The government and the public must work together to find ways to ensure that calls for emergency help do not spiral out of control.
Occasionally elected officials encounter legal issues relating to their government position but falling outside the government attorney’s authority to advise. For example, elected officials need independent and confidential legal advice for questions about residency, conflicts of interest, recall or removal from office, and resolving council or board conflicts. Regardless, the goal should be deciphering and respecting the rule of law in government service.
… In these dark days of destructive politics, it is good to see an organization that tries to unite groups for important causes like fair elections, government accountability, and public safety. A look at State United’s Advisory Board reflects a truly unified effort to support a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” See https://
Justice and Fairness above all else.
