Our Staff

Our attorneys represent varied practice areas and legal disciplines. All Schools Legal Service attorneys are admitted to practice in the state of California.  With our collective bargaining specialists, we represent more than a century of experience in Education Law.



herndon: Grant Herndon Grant Herndon became General Counsel for Schools Legal Service in January 2007. Mr. Herndon joined Schools Legal Service in 1994 from private practice, having represented public entities, businesses and nonprofits, both in the United States and abroad. He obtained undergraduate degrees from California State University Bakersfield and a law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center. He recently completed the CBO Mentor Program sponsored by the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, the California Association of School Business Officials, School Services of California and CCSESA.  Mr. Herndon is a member of the Kern County Bar Association, the California Council of School Attorneys and the California Council of Educational Foundations. He also serves as legal counsel to the nonprofit educational organization MOVE International. 

inman: Stacy Inman  Stacy L. Inman is Assistant General Counsel in charge of the special education team.  Ms. Inman first joined Schools Legal Service in 1993 and returned in September 2002 after a one-year absence. She has extensive experience in the area of special education. Stacy is a graduate of King Hall School of Law, University of California at Davis.  Stacy has been recognized for her active role in local organizations and has served as the President of the Kern County Women Lawyers Association, Chairperson for Volunteers in Parole, Inc. and is a member of the Kern County and California Women Lawyers Association.

carton: Pete Carton Pete Carton. After nearly three decades with Schools Legal Service, Pete Carton continues his relationship with the office in an "of counsel" capacity. Pete is a graduate of Loyola University. He has represented California school districts and county offices of education, as well as other public entities since 1974. Mr. Carton the Past President of the California Council of School Attorneys. His memberships include the Kern County, San Luis Obispo County and California State Bar Associations. He has also served as a Judge Pro Tempore for the Kern County Superior Court and an adjunct professor at Bakersfield College.

hornback: Bill Hornback Bill Hornback became a member of the Schools Legal Service staff in 1996. A graduate of McGeorge School of Law, he brings to SLS extensive experience as a civil litigator with an emphasis on construction litigation. Mr. Hornback has handled construction, special education and charter school disputes, and routine business matters during his tenure with SLS. At seminars for educators and school lawyers, Mr. Hornback has generated and presented material on contracting, construction and charter school issues, and has been instrumental in the creation of an extensive, up-to-date public works bid package.

burger: Chris Burger Christopher P. Burger joined Schools Legal Service in 2002 from private practice, where he specialized in environmental law. He also has considerable experience in business litigation involving real property, contract and construction disputes. Before becoming a lawyer, Mr. Burger worked as a regulator for the Kern County Environmental Health Department dealing with water and hazardous waste issues. Mr. Burger obtained his law degree from California Pacific School of Law. He is a member of the Kern County and California State Bar Associations and the Golden Empire Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association.

harris: Al Harris Alan B. Harris joined Schools Legal Service in 2002 from private practice. He is a graduate of California Western School of Law and was an editor for the California Western Law Review. He also received the American Jurisprudence Book Award for Civil Procedure. Prior to private practice, Mr. Harris served as a Judge Advocate in the United States Marine Corps, where he prosecuted a variety of felony cases in military courts. Mr. Harris' private practice emphasized business litigation, including contract disputes, real estate disputes, title insurance defense and environmental clean-up disputes. Al's practice currently focuses on student discipline and other student-related issues, as well as school business matters.

kathleenlamay: Kathleen LaMay Kathleen LaMay joined Schools Legal Service after maintaining a private practice in general law.  Prior to receiving a Juris Doctorate degree from Ventura College of Law, Ms. LaMay earned her Baccalaureate Degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and studied education at California Lutheran University.  Additionally, she has worked as a substitute teacher and volunteered for both the Ventura County and Kern County Public Defenders' Offices.  Presently, she is a member of the California State Bar, Kern County Bar and the American Bar Associations.  Kathleen's focus is on special education issues and student discipline matters.

chrishines: Chris Hines Christopher Hine joined our office in 2006 after being in both corporate and private practice since 1981. His experience encompasses employment and labor law, construction law and general business law and litigation. Mr. Hine is a graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law.

Mr. Hine is assigned to the Employment Group, but also works extensively with Carl Lange, Director of Labor Relations. His primary responsibility will be table negotiations and related labor matters including litigation. Secondarily, Mr. Hine will provide legal advice and assistance on general employment matters. Chris also provides districts with sexual harassment training.

bantaneroII: Monica Batanero joined Schools Legal Service in February 2008 and works primarily with the Special Education Practice Group. A graduate of the University of Southern California with bachelor's and master's degrees in gerontology, she studied law at the University of San Francisco law school. Ms. Batanero joins us from a southern California law firm specializing in worker's compensation and social security disability law. Her familiarity with the administrative hearing process and her negotiation and resolution skills will be particularly helpful to clients involved in special education.

Attorney Tenielle Cooper is the newest addition to the Labor and Employment Practice Group at SLS.  The Pepperdine Law School graduate joined the office from private practice.  Her significant civil litigation and trial experience and extensive case investigation skills will serve SLS clients well.  Tenielle serves on the board of directors of the Kern River Parkway Foundation.

Attorney Melissa Brown is the newest addition to the Labor and Employment Practice Group.  A graduate of UCLA and Santa Clara University School of Law, she joined the office from private practice focusing on civil litigation.  Melissa is proud to have joined the ranks of education law attorneys as her family has been involved in all phases of education for over 60 years.

CantuSm: José S. Cantú, José S. Cantú has joined Schools Legal Service as a bargaining specialist. A native of Kern County and former teacher, Mr. Cantú is a graduate of California State University, Bakersfield. Most recently, Mr. Cantú was employed with the Kern County Superintendent of Schools in a variety of human resource-related positions, including retirement counseling and worker's compensation.

ValdezSm: Daryl Valdez, Daryl Valdez joins Schools Legal Service as a bargaining specialist with extensive experience in all facets of collective bargaining and human resources, as well as having served in executive-level positions in large oil and agricultural concerns before going on to maintain a successful consulting practice. Mr. Valdez is a graduate of California State University, Bakersfield, with a degree in business administration.

lange: Carl Lange Carl Lange who served as Schools Legal Service's Director of Labor Relations, continues to provide collective bargaining services on a part-time basis.  Mr. Lange has negotiated collective bargaining agreements for Schools Legal Service for 31 years at all levels for elementary, high school, unified and college districts. His experience in labor relations encompasses 39 years. He is a graduate of Utah State University. Mr. Lange is also a lecturer and trainer in personnel, labor management and arbitration matters, as well as an arbitrator in labor and commercial disputes.

lancaster: Phil Lancaster Phil Lancaster, who joined Schools Legal Service in 1979, continues to provide collective bargaining services to selected SLS districts on a part-time basis.  A graduate of Fresno State University and California State University, Bakersfield, his experience as a teacher, counselor, and vice principal serves his clients well. Mr. Lancaster has served as a presenter at California State University Bakersfield's Collective Bargaining Institute for School Administrators and has served as a mediator for the Better Business Bureau.

SUPPORT STAFF

Connie J. Newton has been a member of the Schools Legal Service staff since its establishment in January 1976. She worked as a legal secretary in private law firms in Los Banos, Fresno, and Bakersfield, California for a total of 11 years; transcribed for court reporters for 2 years; was senior legal secretary to the general counsel of Schools Legal Service for 7 years; was a legal assistant, Schools Legal Service for 17 years; and currently serves as Law Office Manager of Schools Legal Service. Connie attended Central California Commercial College, receiving her Legal Secretary Certificate in 1964.  She graduated from the University of California Extension, Santa Barbara, Legal Assistant Program in 1983 and also received her certificate from the California State University, Bakersfield, Leadership Training for Supervisors and Managers in 1995.

Cheryl A. Philley joined Schools Legal Service in May 1976. She worked as a legal secretary for a local private law firm for 2 years, was secretary to the Assistant General Counsel for 6 years and since 1982 has been the Senior Legal Secretary, serving as the assistant to the General Counsel. Her other responsibilities include law library management and web page updating. Cheryl received her AA degree from Bakersfield College in 1974 in the Legal Secretarial Program and graduated from the University of California, Bakersfield, Extended Studies, Attorney Assistant Program in 1988.

Rose Aquino joined Schools Legal Service in 1983. She worked for a local private law firm for 4 years, currently works for the special education practice group and assists the law office manager in the area of business administration. She also has experience in the area of collective bargaining; business and construction; and developer fees. Rose received her AA degree from Bakersfield College in 1978 and graduated from the University of California, Bakersfield, Extended Studies, Attorney Assistant Program in 1988.

RoseAnn Franco has been a member of the Schools Legal Service staff since 1980. She attended Bakersfield College and her professional background includes over 8 years experience working for local private law firms and 2 years for the Kern High School District personnel department. RoseAnn has extensive experience in the area of personnel and student discipline. She currently works in the area of business, construction and personnel.

Cathy Rother has been a member of the Schools Legal Service staff since 1983. She worked for local private law firms, including Wagy, Bunker, Hislop & Lewis and the Law Office of Patrick E. Jennison, currently works in the area of special education, business and construction. Cathy received her AA degree from Bakersfield College in 1976 and graduated from the University of California, Bakersfield, Extended Studies, Attorney Assistant Program in 1988.

Martha S. Keysaw joined Schools Legal Service in 1999. She has over 25 years of legal experience in various areas of law, working for law firms in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, and California and currently works in the area of collective bargaining. In 2001-2002 Martha served as President of the Bakersfield Legal Secretaries Association. She is also a member of the Kern Association of Educational Office Professionals.

Cindy R. Jackson joined Schools Legal Service in 2000. She worked for local private law firms for 13 years; and the Bakersfield City Attorney's Office for 3 years. She has experience in the area of business, construction and special education.  She currently works in the area of personnel and student discipline. Cindy received her AA degree from Bakersfield College in 1983 and graduated from the University of California, Bakersfield, Extended Studies, Attorney Assistant Program in 1990.

Andrea Jones joined the Schools Legal Service staff in May 2004.  She attended Cerritos Junior College and her professional background includes over 16 years experience working for local private law firms and 5 years for the Bakersfield City Attorney's Office.  Andrea has extensive experience in the area of civil litigation, business litigation, municipal law, personal injury and student discipline.  She currently works in the area of personnel and special education.

 


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