Photo of Zach  Heinselman

Zach Heinselman

Associate | Los Angeles

Overview

Zach is a member of RWG’s Public Law Department. He advises local governments and other public agencies on a variety of transactional and advisory matters.  His practice includes advising clients on land use law, planning and zoning laws, election law, CEQA, the Brown Act, the Political Reform Act, and other legal issues facing public agencies.  He also assists staff with drafting and reviewing ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and staff reports; attends Planning Commission meetings; and counsels clients with respect to new and pending legislation.

Work for Clients

Zach serves as Assistant City Attorney and Planning Commission Counsel for the City of Covina.  He previously served as an Assistant City Attorney and Planning Commission Counsel for the City of Indio. Zach also represents cities and public agencies throughout California on complex land use, planning and CEQA matters.

Professional Experience

Zach joined Richards, Watson & Gershon in 2017 as a Summer Associate. While in law school he externed for the Honorable Justice John L. Segal of the California Court of Appeal and clerked for the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney, General Counsel Division. He was also a Comments Editor for the UCLA Law Review, a Writing Advisor, and a Research Assistant to Professor E. Tendayi Achiume.

Prior to his legal career, Zach worked on political campaigns and at the Pacific Council on International Policy.

Professional and Community Affiliations

Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association

News

Presentations

  • American Planning Association, Orange County Section, 04.28.2022
  • Event // The Brown Act After COVID-19: Recent Developments, Enduring Challenges
    CAALAC (City Attorneys Association of Los Angeles County), 02.17.2022
  • Presentation // Virtual Public Meetings under AB 361: New Law, Familiar Challenges
    Independent Special Districts of Orange County Quarterly Meeting, 10.28.2021
  • Presentation // Shared Mobility: Ins and Outs
    2020 League of California Cities Planning Commissioners Academy, 03.05.2020
  • ACC-OC (Association of California Cities Orange County) Lunch & Learn, 08.14.2019
  • City Attorneys' Spring Conference, 05.09.2019

Publications

Education

J.D., University of California, Los Angeles School of Law

B.A., University of Wisconsin, Madison

{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.