Photo of Dave  Fleishman

Dave Fleishman

Of Counsel | Central Coast

Overview

Dave Fleishman has practiced extensively in the area of public law and in the area of labor and employment law for both public and private employers. His practice has focused on the representation of public agencies in an advisory role as city attorney or general counsel, as well as in public entity defense litigation, including writs and appeals, civil rights, Fair Labor Standards Act, wrongful termination, employment investigations, public contracting, tort claims and code enforcement. He has also represented private employers throughout California in wrongful termination, wage and hour, and other employment matters.

Work for Clients

Dave currently serves as City Attorney for the City of Pismo Beach and the City of Atascadero. He formerly served as City Attorney for the cities of Solvang, Guadalupe, and Pacific Grove. He also previously served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Morro Bay. He has represented over 40 cities and special districts in California and Nevada in various labor and employment matters, including personnel investigations on a wide variety of topics.

Professional Experience

Dave previously served as the President of the City Attorneys Department of the League of California Cities, and as the chair of the League's Legal Advocacy Committee. Prior to returning to Richards, Watson & Gershon, where he began his legal career in 1991, Dave was a partner for nearly 25 years in the law firm of Hanley & Fleishman, LLP, which focused on public agency representation throughout California. He is a certificate holder (AWI-CH) from the Association of Workplace Investigators for demonstrating success at achieving the core knowledge and skills necessary to successfully perform impartial workplace investigations.

Professional and Community Affiliations

Certificate Holder, Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI-CH)

Past President, City Attorneys Department, League of California Cities, 2021-2022

Chairperson, Legal Advocacy Committee, League of California Cities, 2018-19, Member 2017-18, 2012-14

Member of Ad Hoc Committee - League of California Cities City Attorneys Department Listserv

Moderator – League of California Cities City Attorneys Department Listserv

Legislative Consultant – League of California Cities

News

Presentations

  • Presentation // Email and E-Records Retention Issues under the Public Records Act
    League of California Cities City Attorneys Conference, 05.2013
  • Presentation // Dealing With Disruptive Members of the Public
    League of California Cities Annual Conference, 10.2002

Publications

  • Paper Terrorism: The Impact of the "Sovereign Citizen" on Local Government
    2004
    Public Law Journal, Vol. 27, No. 2
  • Featured Lawyer
    April/May 2001
    Wired Lawyers, 11 Law Office Computing 2

Education

J.D. cum laude, University of Arizona School of Law

A.B., University of California, Berkeley

{Logo Image}

Richards, Watson & Gershon delivers practical advice and solutions tailored to the unique needs of public entities. Working seamlessly across offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orange County, Temecula, the Central Coast, and Sacramento, and our dedicated team of experts provides the full scope of public law services.

Read More

Helpful links

Client Alerts

RWG consistently monitors developments that impact our private and public agency clients. Our frequent e-alerts serve to provide our unique insights into these developments.