About RLS
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Representation of Peace Officers
  Criminal Defense
  Collective Bargaining
  Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
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Terry Lynn Bowman
Partner

 

Primary Office: San Jose
Email: TBowman@rlslawyers.com
Phone: 408.287.3803
Fax: 408.286.3161
Education
University of California at Davis
University of San Francisco
   
 

Terry Lynn Bowman represents public safety officers in administrative, disciplinary, and criminal defense matters. Terry has immense trial experience, having tried over 50 cases during her 7 years as a prosecutor for Santa Clara County, where she handled a variety of cases including homicides and sexual assaults. She also spoke to various community groups about domestic violence prosecution. Her high success rate and ability to handle complex legal issues led to her being named Trial Attorney of the Year in 2000.
 
Terry Bowman graduated cum laude from the University of California at Davis and earned her law degree at the University of San Francisco.


 

Justin Buffington
Associate
 
Primary Office: Pleasant Hill
Email: JBuffington@rlslawyers.com
Phone: 925.609.1699
Fax: 925.609.1690
Education
Humboldt State University
Golden Gate University
   
  Justin represents peace officers in administrative investigations and disciplinary matters. Prior to joining Rains Lucia Stern, Justin worked as a deputy district attorney in Contra Costa County where he tried nearly a dozen misdemeanor cases and litigated scores of motions.
 
Justin graduated from Humboldt State and earned his law degree at Golden Gate University.


 

Peter Hoffmann
Associate
 
Primary Office: Pleasant Hill
Email: PHoffmann@rlslawyers.com
Phone: 925.609.1699
Fax: 925.609.1690
Education
Loyola Marymount
University of Santa Clara
   
  Peter represents the firm's clients in Fair Labor Standards Act litigation, civil litigation, administrative investigations and disciplinary matters.
 
Peter graduated magna cum laude from Loyola Marymount and recently earned his law degree at the University of Santa Clara.


 

Tom Leary
Investigator

 

Primary Office: Pleasant Hill
Email: TLeary@rlslawyers.com
Phone: 925.609.1699
Fax: 925.609.1690
 
   
 

Tom Leary served the citizens of Contra Costa County for 28 years as a Deputy Sheriff for the Office of the Sheriff (13 years) and as a Senior Inspector for the District Attorney’s Office (15 years), where he specialized in white collar crime and public corruption. He also investigated over 50 officer involved fatal incidents while employed by the District Attorney, and served a term as President of the District Attorney Investigator’s Association.


 

Rockne Lucia
Principal
 
Primary Office: Pleasant Hill

Email: RLucia@rlslawyers.com

Phone: 925.609.1699
Fax: 925.609.1690
Education
St. Mary’s College
McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific
   
 

Rockne ("Rocky") A. Lucia, Jr. is a principal and managing partner of the law firm of Rains Lucia Stern, PC based in Pleasant Hill, California. Rains Lucia Stern represents public safety labor organizations and individuals throughout Northern California. The firm currently represents over 110 public employee labor organizations. The firm's primary emphasis is the representation of peace officers in collective bargaining as well as administrative, civil and criminal matters.

Rocky is responsible for supervising the collective bargaining practice for the firm. He has extensive experience in representing and advising labor associations on all matters, including: contract negotiations, grievances, unfair labor practices, bargaining unit certifications and modifications, meet and confer rights, pension rights, retirement benefits, mediation and arbitration. Rocky has negotiated numerous collective bargaining agreements for clients, including: the Fresno Police Officers' Association, Oakland Police Officers' Association, Berkeley Police Association, San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs' Association, and many others. Rocky has represented association and individual clients in interest arbitration proceedings, state court actions, federal and state grand jury investigations and federal court consent decrees.

As legal counsel for many of the firm's association clients, Rocky also provides advice on: tax exempt matters, incorporation, bylaw drafting and interpretation, association governance, employment matters, officer and director liability and general contract matters. Enhancing political and media relationships with association clients are subjects that Rocky incorporates into his practice. He also represents individual peace officers in disciplinary matters, critical incidents, and internal affairs investigations. Rocky is a featured speaker and instructor at classes, seminars and forums on collective bargaining, critical incidents, internal affairs investigations and rights of clients in duty related death and disability.

Rocky earned his undergraduate degree from St. Mary's College of California. He began his career in labor relations in 1979, when he worked on peace officer legislation for the Peace Officer's Research Association of California in Sacramento, California. In 1983 Rocky earned his law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and later that year was admitted to practice law by the State Bar of California. Rocky is also admitted to practice in the Northern and Eastern Districts of the federal courts in California.


 

John Noble
Sr. Labor Relations Representative

 

Primary Office: Santa Rosa
Email: JNoble@rlslawyers.com
Phone: 707.576.8954
Fax: 707.526.4018
Education
California State University at Long Beach
University of California at Davis
   
 

John Noble has many years of experience negotiating and administering contracts, as well as representing peace officers in disciplinary matters.

John received his Bachelor's Degree from California State University at Long Beach and completed the Labor/Management Certificate Program at UC Davis. He was a police officer for twenty-eight years starting in 1969 at Long Beach PD and retiring from Santa Rosa PD in 1998.
 
John held a position on the Board of Directors of the Santa Rosa POA for sixteen years. During this time, he served his Association as President, Vice-President, and Treasurer.  He also held a position as Vice-President for the Northern Chapter of PORAC.


 

Janne E. O'Neil
Of Counsel

 

Primary Office: Santa Rosa
Email: JONeil@rlslawyers.com
Phone: 707.543.8137
Fax: 707.526.4018
Education
California State University at San Jose
Empire College School of Law in Santa Rosa
   
 

Janne O’Neil provides estate planning services to RL&W clients. Janne advises clients on all aspects of preparing an estate plan including trusts, wills and powers of attorney. Janne also counsels RL&W clients on trust administration, estate taxes, probate, conservatorships and guardianships.

She has been exclusively practicing in the area of estate planning since 1994. Prior to attending law school, Janne was a litigation/probate paralegal in San Francisco for 13 years.

Janne has been a contributing commentator on radio station KSRO in Santa Rosa on “The Real Estate Hour” since 1997.

Janne graduated from San Jose State with a degree in Political Science and graduated cum laude from Empire College School of Law in Santa Rosa.


 

Rick Pattison
Sr. Associate

 

Primary Office: Sacramento
Email: RPattison@rlslawyers.com
Phone: 916.646.2860
Fax: 916.646.2861
Education
California State University at Sacramento
McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific
   
 

Rick Pattison represents clients at all stages of the disciplinary process and has served as the lead negotiator in collective bargaining sessions. Rick has successfully litigated many cases in administrative and arbitration hearings, as well as in trial and appellate courts. He also has extensive experience in civil writs.

Rick’s appellate experience includes a series of cases involving the collective bargaining rights of California state employees, culminating in Department of Personnel Administration v. Superior Court, 5 Cal.App.4th 155 (1992), which established that the governor does not have the right unilaterally to implement a salary cut for state employees.

Rick worked for the Lodi Police Department as a police officer and sergeant, as well as having served as deputy sheriff and sheriff's sergeant with the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department. Rick also provides extensive peace officer academy instruction.

Rick is a graduate of California State University at Sacramento, and earned his law degree at McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific.


 

Kathy Rains
Of Counsel
 
Primary Office: Pleasant Hill
Email: KRains@rlslawyers.com
Phone: 925.609.1699
Fax: 925.609.1690
Education
St. Mary's College
John F. Kennedy University
   
 

Kathy Rains serves of counsel to Rains Lucia Stern, PC from her San Ramon office. As of counsel, Kathy represents police officers in administrative discipline and criminal cases.

Kathy brings to her practice 10 years of law enforcement experience with Contra Costa County Sheriff's department and the Brentwood Police department. After retirement, she began her legal career first representing police officers as a non-attorney labor representative and then, after graduating from John F. Kennedy University School of Law, continues to primarily devote her practice to representing police officers.

Kathy is a graduate of Saint Mary's College (BA Business Management) and John F. Kennedy School of Law, JD. She is a member of the California State Bar, Contra Costa County Bar Association and RPORAC.


 

Michael Rains
Principal
 
Primary Office: Pleasant Hill
Email: MRains@rlslawyers.com
Phone: 925.609.1699
Fax: 925.609.1690
Education
California State University at Long Beach
Golden West University School of Law
   
 

Mike Rains is one of California’s top trial attorneys. He has over 25 years of experience representing peace officers and other high-profile clients in civil and criminal litigation. Mike’s practice focuses on criminal trial work in both state and federal courts. Over the course of his career, Mike has defended peace officers in some of the most complex and controversial criminal trials in California history, including the successful defenses of the "Corcoran 8" and the "Oakland Riders.” Mike also handles civil and labor-related actions, and has served as both defense and plaintiff's counsel in state and federal court employment cases.

Before founding Rains, Lucia & Wilkinson in 1999, Mike was a partner with the San Francisco firm of Carroll, Burdick and McDonough. He joined the Carroll, Burdick firm in 1982 after several years representing police officers in Los Angeles.

Mike enthusiastically shares his knowledge and expertise in police disciplinary matters by teaching at numerous criminal justice academies and at POST-approved seminars, addressing topics such as internal affairs investigations, the handling of critical incidents, and sexual harassment.

After graduating from the California State University at Long Beach, summa cum laude, Mike served in Vietnam with the United States Marine Corps. He joined the Santa Monica Police Department after his military service. While a member of the Santa Monica P.D., he was awarded a scholarship to attend Golden West University School of Law. He was also president of the Santa Monica Police Officers’ Association at this time. Attending classes at night, he graduated magna cum laude and was valedictorian.

Interviews and articles about Mike Rains
Mike Rains, Esq. POA Interview by Sgt. Paul Francois.

Police in Crisis Turn to East Bay Law Firm By Nanci L. Valcke.
East Bay Business Times' article on Mike Rains.


 

Ellen Rosenbluth
Sr. Associate
 
Primary Office: Pleasant Hill
Email: ERosenbluth@rlslawyers.com
Phone: 925.609.1699
Fax: 925.609.1690
Education
Saint Mary's College
John F. Kennedy University
   
  Ellen represents peace officers in administrative, disciplinary, civil, appellate, critical incident, and criminal matters. Her current practice focuses on labor and employment litigation, although she works with partners in all of the firm's practice areas.
 
Ellen has cultivated a true general legal practice in which she has represented clients in many areas of the law including transactional and litigation family law, real estate, business law, and employment matters.
 
Ellen received her J.D. from John F. Kennedy University School of Law in 1998. She earned her bachelor's degree with honors in management from Saint Mary's College of California. Ellen has served as a professor of legal research and writing at John F. Kennedy University School of Law and a professor of family law at California State University East Bay.


 

Mary Sansen
Of Counsel

 

Primary Office: Pleasant Hill
Email: MSansen@rlslawyers.com
Phone: 925.609.1699
Fax: 925.609.1690
Education
California State University at San Jose
John F. Kennedy University
   
 

Mary L. Sansen represents public safety officers in administrative and disciplinary matters. As a former law enforcement officer and as a primary instructor for the Federal Officer Regional Academy at Napa Valley College, Mary brings extensive experience to defending police officers accused of misconduct. Mary has also instructed classes that include Legal Aspects of Evidence for Police Officers, Legal Liability for Police Trainers, and Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure for Paralegals.

A graduate of California State University at San Jose, Mary earned her law degree at John F. Kennedy School of Law.


 

Harry Stern
Principal

 

Primary Office: Pleasant Hill
Email: HStern@rlslawyers.com
Phone: 925.609.1699
Fax: 925.609.1690
Education
University of California at Berkeley
University of San Francisco
   
 

Harry S. Stern’s practice is focused on personal injury litigation and criminal defense. He has successfully defended peace officers in a number of high-profile criminal trials. Harry has also represented college and professional athletes, candidates for elected office and other prominent people in civil and criminal actions in both federal and state court. He regularly represents peace officers in internal investigations, administrative hearings, coroner’s inquests, grand jury proceedings and related court actions.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Harry was a police officer with the City of Berkeley and was a member of the Berkeley Police Officers Association’s Board of Directors.

Harry graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in English Literature. He earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco while working full-time as a police officer. He also attended Chicago’s Loyola University School of Law as a visiting student, where he earned two academic achievement awards and worked at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in the criminal appeals division. He has also served on the University of California’s civilian police review board and is a member of Cal’s Order of the Golden Bear.


 

Bud Stone
Labor Relations Representative

 

Primary Office: Pleasant Hill
Email: BStone@rlslawyers.com
Phone: 925.609.1699
Fax: 925.609.1690
Education
West Virginia State College
St. Mary’s College
   
 

Bud Stone joins the firm after retiring from the Berkeley Police Department where he rose through the ranks to Lieutenant. Bud brings to his work extensive experience with the Berkeley Police Association as a Board Member, President, and Vice President. In that capacity, Bud negotiated collective bargaining agreements, and represented members in misconduct investigations and hearings. Bud also served as PORAC President, Vice President and as Treasurer. Bud has taught extensively in the PORAC Collective Bargaining, Internal Affairs and Leadership Courses.

Bud has a BA in Criminal Justice from West Virginia State College and has recently earned an MA in Leadership from St. Mary’s College.


 

Leo Tamisiea
Sr. Associate
 
Primary Office: Pleasant Hill
Email: LTamisiea@rlslawyers.com
Phone: 925.609.1699
Fax: 925.609.1690
Education
John F. Kennedy University
   
 

Leo Tamisiea focuses his practice on collective bargaining and labor relations, as well as on administrative disciplinary appeals. Leo co-developed and remains primary instructor for the PORAC basic and advanced collective bargaining seminars. Leo is also a former member of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) Board of Directors, Chair of the PORAC Legal Defense Board of Trustees, and President of the PORAC Bay Area Chapter.

Leo retired after 27 years as a police officer, having worked in the City of Berkeley and as a police lieutenant with the Bay Area Rapid Transit District.

He earned his law degree at John F. Kennedy Law School.




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