Ethan Pawson joined RPLG as an associate in October, bringing public agency experience as well as strong knowledge in planning, development and land use to the firm’s growing team.

“We are excited to welcome Ethan to our team as another resource for our clients,” said Founding Partner Art Hartinger. “Ethan’s experience with public agencies and the diverse issues they face makes him a very strong addition to the firm.”

Ethan grew up around public agency work and developed an interest in planning the future of the communities around him. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Classical Civilizations from the University of California, Berkeley and his Juris Doctorate from UC Hastings College of the Law. During law school, he was the Editor-in-Chief of the Hastings Environmental Law Journal.

His interest in local government grew while working in several different roles with public agencies during law school, including in the Office of the City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco.

“Local government work appeals to me because you get to work on projects that feel close to home,” said Ethan. “When the project does come to fruition, you actually see the impact that it has on that community.”

After graduating law school, Ethan continued his career as a CROWN Attorney Fellow in the Office of the County Counsel for Sonoma County, where he solidified his passion for public service and continued to learn about the spectrum of issues facing public agencies.

“My experiences throughout law school and in my career up to this point have been fairly diverse and far ranging,” said Ethan. “This background helps me approach my client work at RPLG with a broad understanding of the challenges they face.”

In his first few months at the firm, Ethan is looking forward to further expanding his knowledge of the world of public law. “RPLG has a great view of what’s happening in the public sector,” Ethan said. “With some of the top attorneys in the field at RPLG, I know there is no better place for me to continue my career.”

 RPLG practices throughout California, advising and advocating for public agencies, nonprofit entities, individuals and private entities in need of effective, responsive and creative legal solutions.